Hatton will win within 5 rounds....

Legitimate points man!

It's an extremely hard fight to pick, although I'm leaning toward PacMan. Hatton has an excellent chance to stop PacMan is 5 rounds, but if he can't win by that time, he's f*cked. He's over his physical prime, the stamina is not the same anymore (Floyd, Collazo 2nd half), although I believe he can make it even with improved skills and more intelligent fighting.

I agree absolutely that the lefty stance it the biggest disadvantage for Ricky, and since PacMan will be stronger than Ricky thinks (he underestimated Floyd's power as well), also he's very fast and accurate, I think that disadvantage will be the decider. Hatton can't fight lefties with the same effectiveness, and PacMan is BY FAR the best southpaw he's ever faced.

But I agree that Hatton's power and especially his inside fighting effectiveness will surprise Manny, who doesn't like to fight backwards, and if Ricky learned a lot from sparring Erislandy Lara, he might be ready for the southpaw stance. Other than the obvious physical advantages and the power behind body shots, I think the key weapon for Ricky will be the jab. Morales used it very effectively, and instead of rushing in, throwing the jab can set up much more effective punches for Hatton with lesser chance to walk into the laser left counter, PacMan's key shot. Also, Hatton's foot and handspeed is severly underrated, he gave all kinds of troubles to Floyd in the first 6 and timed Paulie very well. In fact, the only fighter ever to come through the first 6 without visible damage was Floyd, and he used all kind of old school, borderline illegal tactics like holding the head, pushing the head back with the gloves, using elbows, turning Hatton around, making him go off-balance and tie up, weapons completely missing from Pacquiao's arsenal (he's working on the holding and the 'elbow roll'.)

So it's the first 5-6 rounds when Pacquiao can be in BIG trouble, but also it's the only part of the fight I believe Ricky can win. If it's gets past the half mark, Hatton will be in just as big trouble.

Anyways, watch out for the Hatton jab, he'll try to break PacMan's rhythm and balance, which is crucial, because that's where the speed and power comes from. It's just 50-50 whether it'll work or not. :thumbsup

 

I agree and I'm still kind of undecided on my prediciton. I really do think the Oscar fight made Manny look like the master technician that he really is not. Floyd actually schooled Hatton, Floyd is a boxing technician on the highest level of the game both Mentally and Physically, Manny does not have the boxing IQ Floyd does. Floyd is more patient and calculating also, the perfect attributes to beat a guy like Hatton. I don't think Manny can beat Hatton the way Floyd did. I think he will be able to beat him at his own game actually. He will get off first, he is quicker hand and foot, and I think Pac may be tougher. Hatton is not Floyd or JMM, Pac doesn't have to worry about being countered...so he can be aggressive. And if two fighters are both coming forward, the guy that gets off first has the advantage..

I was joking about the newbie prediction btw :good

 

Aren't we all tired of hearing Dela Hoya was not at his best. People seem to forget Pacquiao was not at his best either.

That fight was Pacquiao first ever fight with him carrying more weight than his body has ever been use to. Does anyone really believe at 148.5 lbs was his fastest and best? If people think he's fast at 147 division, he's going to be a even better at 140lbs.

 

Tell me about this guy :good

 

I think you have good points, but I dont think it will be over within 5.

I think the southpaw stance will hamper Hatton early and he will wear Manny down late.

:good

 

It maybe fair but you forget the strength and physical attributes of his opponent. Pacquiao is bigger than Hatton in almost every dimension. Pacquiao has bigger wrist, neck, reach, calfs, biceps, forearms, chest, ankles. Just look at the tale of the tape. Hatton has a height advantage of half an inch, no more than an inch. But that balances it out with Pacquiao having a reach advantage of 67 compared to Hatton's 65.

 

hatton aint going to win ****, Pac will be too quick for him!

 

how do you know pacmans stronger than hatton:huh

 

No way Pac is stronger than Hatton. Ricky has a far denser physique.

 

Manny is gonna have his ass handed to him in this one or I'll bare my butt in Bourke Street!

 

All fair points but you lost me when you said within five rounds......I'll be damned if this fight doesn't go ten.

 

Lazcano is a lightweight and had Hatton all over the place. Collazo has very little power and he had Hatton in serious trouble. Pacquiao has significantly more power and speed than both. Hatton will walk forwards and will get hit regularly before he is able to land any punches of his own

 

you know, I actually think this is a 50/50 fight right now, but on fight night I think it could easily be quite 1 sided for either fighter. On the 1 side I see hatton being too big and Pac not carrying his power up in weight so Hatton just grinds him down and starts throwing power shots to the body.

On the other side I think Pac may be fine at weight (no one really knows) and will pick Hatton off with speed and accuracy.

Obviously I hope it will be an even war.

But for me right now it is a 50/50 fight until they get in the ring.