PACQUIAO-HATTON FIGHT A GO
By Rod Mijares
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 03 Feb 2009
It?s now official. The fight between Filipino?s pride Manny ?Pac-man? Pacquiao against the British boxing star and the pride of Manchester, Ricky ?The Hitman? Hatton, was legally inked and is scheduled on May 2, 2009 at MGM Grand Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Manny Pacquiao (48 wins (KO 36), 3 lost (KO 2), 2 draws) fresh from his win against Oscar De La Hoya last December 6, 2008 which catapulted him to super stardom will fight for Ricky Hatton?s (45 wins (32 KO), 1 lost (1 KO), 0) Ring Magazine and IBO World Junior Welterweight titles. The fight is being promoted by Top Rank and Golden Boy Promotions in association with MP Promotions and Hatton Promotions. .
After the drama of how the revenue will be splitted between the two that initially was verbally accepted at 50-50 before 2008 ends and was changed overnight after the holiday by Manny Pacquiao?s Filipino advisers who thought that since Pacquiao is the current boxing star and is the main draw, he deserves more with a 60-40 split.
This contention did not serve well with Hatton?s camp and even threaten to legally hold Pacquiao responsible for the squabble. They said that Hatton also has millions of British fan based who will order pay-per-view cable from their homes in UK and thousands will fly to Las Vegas to fill-up the arena in support of their countryman.
However, Hatton should not forget that aside from almost 100% backers from Filipino fans in America and worldwide that Pacquiao could master, he has very good followings from Mexican fans who adore him because of his almost Mexican boxing style and who will surely fill-up MGM Grand Arena alongside Filipinos who will also come from all over America. This Mexican attachment is, inspite of, complete demolition of the trio of future Mexican Hall of Famers Erik Morales, Antonio Barrera and Juan Manuel Marquez. Manny could also count American fans who would like to see him fight as evident from various movie personalities and basketball luminaries who flew to Las Vegas to give their support to him in his previous fights.
Pacquiao said in an interview to a local TV station in the Philippines that it is not about money but it is about pride. With his win against Oscar De La Hoya, Pacquiao said he felt it is now his responsibility to bring boxing to another level. It is like Oscar passing the baton to Manny. Pacquiao is the first Filipino boxer ever in the modern era to name his price for what he believes he is worth. What is more of a triumph to every Filipino is that Manny?s share is more than what Hatton will get with a split of 52-48 that was now accepted by both parties to obvious relief of the promoters, Las Vegas hotel executives down to the casino workers who will be directly benefited from his fight at MGM Grand Arena, and of course, his loyal fans in the Philippines and worldwide.
Manchester native, Ricky ?The Hitman? Hatton?s only blemish in his record is against the former best pound for pound boxer, Floyd Mayweather, Jr., when he lost in a 10th round TKO when he challenged Mayweather for the WBC welterweight title on December 8, 2007 at MGM Grand. Five months later, he was his old self when he won against Mexican Juan Lazcano on May 24, 2008 and retained his IBO light welterweight title. Again, he successfully defended it against American Paul Malignaggi on November 22, 2008 at MGM Grand via a convincing 11th round TKO.
Manny Pacquiao, on the other hand is on a winning spree with nine wins with two world titles (WBC super featherweight and lightweight) under his belt, after his lost to Erik Morales in their first fight on March 19, 2005.
Tickets are now on sale beginning Friday, January 30, 2009 priced at $1000, $750, $500, $300 and $150, not including applicable service charges. Ticket sales are limited to 10 per person at the $1,000, $750, $500 or $300 price levels and a total of two (2) tickets at $150. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (702) 745-3000. Tickets also are available for purchase at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com. There will be no sales at MGM Grand or any Ticketmaster outlets.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rod Mijares.
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