by James Slater – Anybody whose anybody has given his or her prediction on tomorrow night’s super-fight between Oscar De La Hoya and Manny Pacquiao. Say what you will about the “dream match” being a possible farce in the making, and/or an easily winnable fight for the much bigger “Golden Boy,” but opinions are not all in agreement when it comes down to who will win – or how..
Yes, most people are expecting De La Hoya to triumph, but by no means everybody. One particularly interesting interested observer is current 140-pound # 1, Ricky Hatton. “The Hitman” has more interest in this fight than most, as there is a very good chance he might wind up facing the winner. So, of course, Hatton has an opinion on the big fight.
In an article in The US Daily, the 30-year-old from Manchester, England spoke about the welterweight showdown.
“It’s an interesting one really, because there’s a case to be made for both,” Hatton said. “Oscar’s coming down in weight so he might be a little drained. Manny might not be big enough. Oscar could tire after seven rounds, and if he does Manny could come on in the later rounds.
“Is Manny good enough to get across that left jab because of the height and reach [of Oscar]? But one thing Manny does have is very fast feet and very good footwork. Maybe he has the footwork to get past that jab. It’s a tough one to pick, but if I had to, I’d say either Oscar by knockout in the first six rounds, or Manny by points.”
Hatton, then, is almost split down the middle, with either an early KO for De La Hoya or a points win for “Pac-Man” being his pick. This last pick is one many fans may well raise their eyebrows at. Can Manny really go through 12 rounds with Oscar and his left hook? Ricky mentioned De La Hoya’s jab, but what about the hook? Surely as soon as that shot lands – if it does, of course – Pacquiao will be in big trouble. Then again, Hatton mentioned Manny’s speed of foot. Ricky obviously feels there is a fair chance, at least, that the smaller man will be able to get in, land his shots, and get out again.
One thing is certain, Hatton will be ringside in Las Vegas tomorrow.
Ricky spoke briefly about the possibility of facing tomorrow’s winner.
“Oscar’s said he would love to come to England,” Hatton said. “He’s never fought in England and he’s said he’d like to before he hangs up his gloves. But Manny Pacquiao could move down and challenge me for my world title if he were to win.”
Either way, we could potentially have an even greater fight than tomorrow’s to look forward to in 2009!