Funny, you have two guys who started their careers as raw straight ahead bangers. Now you have two of the premeir trainers in Roach and Mayweather, channeling their abilities and tightening up their games to make them more complete fighters. Roach has the advantage having worked with Manny longer, but his style is still very offensive minded. In my opinion Manny has had a lot of success due to his speed and brute strength over his opponents, and this fight will provide more of a realistic picture of how good his boxing skills are. In this fight I think the abilities and strength are about even, and the smarter corner or gameplan will win the fight. I dont think were going to see a straight up brawl, but more of a tactical fight with one of the fighters acting as a counterpuncher. Mayweather Sr brings a more solid approach to a fighter over Roach in my opinion, but it will be interesting to see how much Hatton will be able to showcase of what he has learned in a tough high intensity fight. If Hatton stands in front of Manny and fights in his usual wide open style, hes going to get picked apart quickly. If Mayweather is seeing the same thing Im seeing in Manny, hes going to have Hatton stepping off to the side and countering Pac's combinations. Manny seems to be very repetitious rhythem fighter, throwing combinations as he moves straight ahead. Its the same thing over and over, and once he gets a fighter backing up, he keeps coming forward. Hatton needs to move in angles and punch inside those combinations with straight right hands and hooks to the body. Thats will keep Manny off balance and allow Hatton to start taking the lead. If Hatton can establish his distance, than he can start using his jab and moving Manny into position to fight his older style late in the fight. Interesting matchup overall, I dont see some quick stoppage unless Hatton gets cut up. I see more of a tactical fight with the smarter fighter/corner who establishes themselves first coming out victorious via decision or late round stoppage.
I have a feeling its going to be a Hatton win and not only that, he is going to do so decisivley and surprisingly easily. Pac has not beaten anyone live over 130lbs so we don't know how he will deal with a strong light welter. Hatton is fast at closing the distance, very fast, he goes from out of range to against the chest as well as anyone boxing right now. Yes he gets hit sometimes coming in, but if Pac cannot hurt him and keep him off..... then we have to assume Hatton IS going to get inside. Once inside Hattons strength and style suits better. Pac is elusive but up close less so. A left hook to the body or head sometime beforethe 6 th round starts and Hatton has surprised everyone. I could of course be horribly wrong ! I just don't see Pac posing the problems Mayweather did, or having the strength to muscle Ricky back.
Most definitely. Did you see as lean and dry Hatton looked? Rehydrated or not, he's asking to be cut.
it was rather one sided which is quiet shocking. Pacman is undeniably now one of the top 40 atg p4p fighters ever.
Freddie Roach is a boxing genius. It seems to come so easily to him, so matter of fact he is about the pearls of wisdom that come out of his mouth. I am very sorry to see he is sick. What a bad break, what a loss his absence will be to the game. And what a story is that Roach/Pacquiao marriage. Manny Pacquiao is one of the "happiest" fighters I've ever seen, happy in the sense that he appears truly grateful for the opportunity to have a career in the ring. He is inspired by his good fortune, truly infatuated with his life, and what an inspiring guy that makes him. The stuff boxing legend is made of; boxing as a metaphor for life! I am moved by his example!
Granted, Hatton was there to be hit. But I can see that few of you expected Pac to hit with such power. His shots were so fast and from so many angles. His right hook is wicked. He throws it outside and inside. His reflexes are spectacular. He sees an opening and fires the shot in the blink of an eye. He's thinking in there, yet his punches appear automatic. He's a special athlete. The knockout was devastating. It will be recorded as a TKO, but it was a knockout. Shame the ref didn't count. Ricky wasn't going anywhere. The ref could have counted to a hundred. But, then, seeing Ricky not being able to focus his eyes. The ref must have seen his pupils opening and closing. Spooky.