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What Makes Pacquiao vs. Hatton Great

Manny-pacquiao-ricky-hatton_mediumMy good friend David Sauvage takes a stab over at Eastside Boxing:

The oddsmakers think Pacquiao’s speed will trump Hatton’s pressure. It’s true we’ve never seen Pacquio challenged by anyone other than a boxer, which Hatton certainly is not. Even Morales, when he beat Pacquio, played boxer out of necessity.

But there’s something in Hatton’s favor, something big. The sheer size of the man, naturally fighting ten pounds above Pacquiao, won’t neutralize Pacquiao’s speed, but will mitigate its effect. Hatton can’t dodge Manny’s best shots, but he can absorb them like no one before.

And come right back.

Hatton’s a rare combination of grit and style. Maybe it’s the Manchester in him, urban roughness yoked to English charm. He barrels at you, but his barreling has cunning. When he rips a body shot under your ribs it’s like he knows, on some Darwinian level, the exact shape of a your innards, the better to eviscerate you.

What to say of Pacquiao, the best fighter in the world, whose resume has on it every big name within the conceivable radius of his weight, progressing all the while? Unlike those great ex-sluggers before him, Morales and Barrera, Pacquiao hasn’t shifted to boxer to attain his immortality. He has merely incorporated boxing to structure his slugging. It has made him more ferocious, by making him more exact.

Their last fights, I mean, wow! Manny’s blasé annihilation of Oscar De La Hoya, dehydrated or no; Hatton’s masterful sparring session over master sparrer Pauli Malinaggi. These guys are good, extremely good. They’re at their peak.

But it’s the so-called intangibles that make this fight so damn exciting. It’s the spirit of these men.

0 recs  |  Comment 47 comments |

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I saw that Pacquiao was smaller than De La Hoya,

but he looks to be the same size as Hatton physically at least. I have not watched boxing much lately, but watching Manny kill the Golden Boy does not make me feel good for Hatton.

Arguing on the internet is like being in the special olympics, even when you win you are still retarded.

by dnevil001 on Apr 28, 2009 2:19 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

The Golden Boy

was wrecked. He actually lost weight after weighing in.. he should’ve gained a dozen pounds.

Anyway, I have a feeling that poster isn’t an accurate representation. Hatton should be as tall, or slightly taller than Pacquiao, regardless of what they are listed at.

Creator of the FightMatrix rating system.

by JCS_FM on Apr 28, 2009 2:21 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I’m a huge Pacman fan, but David Sauvage is right — The Hitman will be the biggest, strongest guy he’s faced yet. They’re the same height, but Hatton usually walks around at 185+ lbs when he’s not fighting.

I hate to admit it, but the smart money should be on Hatton KO.

by steak_knife on Apr 28, 2009 2:22 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

When Hatton is at 185+ its not muscle or water weight he packed on.

"Japan is half-Machida" - iiowyn

by Day Man on Apr 28, 2009 3:22 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Big Ricky

"Japan is half-Machida" - iiowyn

by Day Man on Apr 28, 2009 3:24 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Ricky Fatton

by subo on Apr 28, 2009 6:46 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Nice...

I’ll be stuck at the mother in law’s on Saturday night, at least she has the internet so I can follow along.

Thanx Luke.

by Gunslinger20 on Apr 28, 2009 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

yeah. SC does great play by play...

he does his in the comments section unlike us who do ours in the main article.

Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.

http://CurseOfRonKarkovice.blogspot.com/

by Brent Brookhouse on Apr 28, 2009 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Brent, you are the boxing guy on here right?

We are planning a poker game around this fight & we always end up betting. The guys that I play with are for sure going to be betting heavy on Pacquiao, so would it be worth it to bet on Hatton?

Arguing on the internet is like being in the special olympics, even when you win you are still retarded.

by dnevil001 on Apr 28, 2009 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Well...

i’ll leave it to SC to swing by and chip in but he seems to be thinking that Hatton looks faster than he’s ever seen him. I don’t know what that means for the fight and I honestly think Pacquiao will win. So I couldn’t tell you if I think the bet would be worth it but I’ll tell Scott to swing by and offer some deeper insight.

Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.

http://CurseOfRonKarkovice.blogspot.com/

by Brent Brookhouse on Apr 28, 2009 5:01 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Hatton does look faster on the training clips we’ve seen of him, and it’s all through working with Floyd. He also seems to have not gotten RIDICULOUSLY out of shape between fights this time around, which I’d again credit to Floyd. His reflexes seem sharper. I mean he’s doing stuff in training that Billy Graham literally does not know how to do. I’m not knocking Billy Graham, but he’s a meat-and-potatoes trainer.

That said Pacquiao is the clear favorite, and he should be. He’s faster than Hatton even if Hatton’s gotten better there, he’s going to give Ricky looks he hasn’t seen before, and he can be hard to hit when he feels like it. Also I know there’s still SOME question about Manny’s power above 135 pounds (Oscar was never on bad legs, really, he just couldn’t do anything and got hit so much that of course his face swelled up — Oscar’s also a sweller and was weight-drained). But I actually believe Manny will be the heavier puncher on May 2. Hatton’s got thudding power, especially to the body, but he’s not a huge hitter.

There’s one thing I’ve said repeatedly, and Freddie Roach has expressed the same feeling: When Hatton is stung by Pacquiao, he’s going to go back to what he knows. And really that might be the best thing.

It should be a hell of a fight, and I think Hatton is a live enough dog to take a risk if you’re into that sort of thing, but know it’s high-risk, high-reward.

Bad Left Hook
Camden Chat

"If they cut my bald head open, they will find one big boxing glove. That's all I am. I live it." -- Marvin Hagler

by SC on Apr 28, 2009 5:24 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Cool.

I know that I will be going against the entire room, so maybe it will pay off.

Arguing on the internet is like being in the special olympics, even when you win you are still retarded.

by dnevil001 on Apr 28, 2009 5:28 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

absolutely

We’ll be live on Saturday with RBR.

Bad Left Hook
Camden Chat

"If they cut my bald head open, they will find one big boxing glove. That's all I am. I live it." -- Marvin Hagler

by SC on Apr 28, 2009 5:31 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I like the boxing coverage. This is a great fight. While boxing may be struggling overall at the box office, I have to admit that the past couple years have provided better matchups/fights than the sport has seen in a while.

by SlickRick00 on Apr 28, 2009 2:43 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Hatton and Mayweather Sr’s parts of 24/7 have been awesome. Theres gonna be a ton of people at my house for this. Way more so than when I have MMA on. I just wish I could convert all of them. It hasn’t been easy. :(

Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."

by xFenixKnightx on Apr 28, 2009 2:44 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

This 24/7 in general has been awesome. From the varied music to the cinematography its been a joy to watch. The best part of though, has been the incorporation of the coaches into the preview. Admittedly, to have coaches with charisma, knowledge, and storied lives is not a production choice, but it adds so much to the overall product and is something that I felt UFC primetime lacked. You could see the pain Mayweathers eyes when he talked about his son and how he would die for his mother, but wouldnt put a fight up for him.

Brilliant series.

by -Sam on Apr 28, 2009 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Definately, the music is so fitting. My wife and I cracked up on the slow mo kool-aid shot with Mayweather Sr on the 3rd episode. The folks doing 24/7 are straight up geniuses!

Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."

by xFenixKnightx on Apr 28, 2009 3:41 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Sam – you’re spot on about the music and the cinematography – this is really a high quality behind the scenes look, not just some air time filler. I love how seamlessly they go from songs like MGMT’s “Time to Pretend” to slick classics like Sammy Davis, Jr’s “The Goin’s Great.” They do a really good job of picking music that conjures up Vegas images in my mind, which is always a good mood-setter for a fight. I can’t wait to see Pacquiao go to work. Check out this clip of the beginning of episode 3, where they feature “The Goin’s Great” and you’ll all see what i mean.

by justbrett on Apr 28, 2009 4:32 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

when they featured The Walkman’s song “’The Rat”, i flipped my shit!

"I’m not going to stop yelling because that would mean, I lost the fight!"-Kenny Powers

by ekc on Apr 28, 2009 4:40 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

24/7 gives me a fight hype boner!!!!

and good call on UFC Primetime lacking charisma.

"I’m not going to stop yelling because that would mean, I lost the fight!"-Kenny Powers

by ekc on Apr 28, 2009 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

If Hatton beat Pac-Man [and that's a big if]

Could you imagine the build-up for a Mayweather rematch? Even though I doubt it would be any different, the story writes itself.

by Zack Gobie on Apr 28, 2009 2:59 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

What makes Pacquiao vs Hatton not Great.

The lack of bloody elbows.

by DirtyML on Apr 28, 2009 3:42 PM EDT reply actions   2 recs

Bloody Elbow

Pound-for-Pound the Best in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Commentary, News and Community.

by mythbuster on Apr 28, 2009 3:50 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Even though the Maynard story kind of

stumped me a bit, I agree.

Arguing on the internet is like being in the special olympics, even when you win you are still retarded.

by dnevil001 on Apr 28, 2009 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Stumped? Har.

"I'm AJB and I endorse this nut-puncher."

by AJB on Apr 28, 2009 5:46 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

;-)

;-)

Arguing on the internet is like being in the special olympics, even when you win you are still retarded.

by dnevil001 on Apr 29, 2009 9:06 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

So...

you’re actually complaining that we’re mentioning this fight?

Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.

http://CurseOfRonKarkovice.blogspot.com/

by Brent Brookhouse on Apr 28, 2009 5:04 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Do you always equate

saying the name and motto of your website as complaining?

besides, I think its cool. You guys should start writing articles on hockey fights and thumb wrestling.

by mythbuster on Apr 28, 2009 5:23 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah...

you’re such a sly dog.

But seriously. No one is forcing you to read every story. If you aren’t interested just move on to the next story.

This is a combat sports story, so we cover it a little. Just like we occasionally cover exhibition grappling matches.

Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.

http://CurseOfRonKarkovice.blogspot.com/

by Brent Brookhouse on Apr 28, 2009 5:41 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

If this was a high level BJJ or sub grappling fight, no one would think twice about it.

http://www.sackmikegoldberg.com

by Mike Fagan on Apr 29, 2009 1:11 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

or if it had Fedor and Aoki in it.

by mythbuster on Apr 29, 2009 9:44 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

non-title is where its at in Boxing

Glad to see these “superfights” happening and just as often they don’t involve a title. The sanctioning bodies can actually prevent great fights because the champions are required to defend against their top contenders. But if you’re not champ, you can fight who you want. Fighters moving weight classes to avoid this is also a smart move. Glad to see boxing giving fans more of the fights fans want to see and it doesn’t seem to matter much if a title is involved.

by Fooshnickens on Apr 28, 2009 4:40 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

This involves a championship. Ricky Hatton is the legitimate, lineal, real 140-pound champion of the world. It’s for his Ring Magazine championship.

Bad Left Hook
Camden Chat

"If they cut my bald head open, they will find one big boxing glove. That's all I am. I live it." -- Marvin Hagler

by SC on Apr 28, 2009 5:27 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

i cant wait for this fight.. and i cant wait for more 24/7

"I’m not going to stop yelling because that would mean, I lost the fight!"-Kenny Powers

by ekc on Apr 28, 2009 4:41 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Indeed, but can they please cut the Mark Wahlberg interviews out. lol!

Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."

by xFenixKnightx on Apr 28, 2009 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

There is one disadvantage for Hatton that is undetermined...

The referee.

Flat out, Hatton has a style which can be stifled by a referee who hates guys working inside games by near clinches. Mayweather fight was definitely an indication of that.

But in the big picture, I still think Pacquaio is way more skillful than Hatton, and I don’t see this as a huge superfight in my mind.

Follow my analysis of all things MMA on BloodyElbow.com

by Leland Roling on Apr 28, 2009 5:13 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Who you picking Leland?

I have a bunch of my buddies coming over to watch & I want to make some money. They will all be betting on Pacquiao, so will I be able to make anything off Hatton?

Arguing on the internet is like being in the special olympics, even when you win you are still retarded.

by dnevil001 on Apr 28, 2009 5:17 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Kenny Bayless is the referee, and IMO he’s among the very, very best in the business with Jay Nady and Steve Smoger. Bayless will let them fight and won’t insert himself into things the way Cortez did with Floyd-Ricky. Manny also won’t pull faces the way Floyd does when he’s crowded, which is one of the most effective little things Mayweather employs. It gets the referee thinking he has to do something.

(I’m also not one of those weirdos that thinks Joe Cortez made Hatton lose. Hatton’s a “dirty” fighter and that’s great, but referees have every right to break that stuff up.)

Bad Left Hook
Camden Chat

"If they cut my bald head open, they will find one big boxing glove. That's all I am. I live it." -- Marvin Hagler

by SC on Apr 28, 2009 5:31 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

It’s true we’ve never seen Pacquio challenged by anyone other than a boxer, which Hatton certainly is not.

If this is boxing, isn’t he only going to face boxers? How is Hatton not a boxer? I don’t get it…

Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett

by themachiavellian on Apr 28, 2009 6:49 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

It's talking about styles

From Wiki, Boxing Style Terminology:

Boxer/Out-fighter
A classic “boxer” or stylist (also known as an “out-fighter”) seeks to maintain distance between himself and his opponent, fighting with faster, longer range punches, most notably the jab, and gradually wearing his opponent down. Due to this reliance on weaker punches, out-fighters tend to win by point decisions rather than by knockout, though some out-fighters have notable knockout records. They are often regarded as the best boxing strategists due to their ability to control the pace of the fight and lead their opponent, methodically wearing him down and exhibiting more skill and finesse than a brawler. Out-fighters need reach, hand speed, reflexes, and footwork.

Notable out-fighters include Gene Tunney,16 Billy Conn,17 Willie Pep,18 and Muhammad Ali.19

Boxer/Puncher
A boxer-puncher is a well-rounded boxer who is able to fight at close range with a combination of technique and power, often with the ability to knock opponents out with a combination and in some instances a single shot. Their movement and tactics are similar to that of an out-fighter (although they are generally not as mobile as an out-fighter), but instead of winning by decision, they tend to wear their opponents down using combinations and then move in to score the knockout. For a boxer to be effective using this style, she or he must be well rounded.

Notable punchers include Sam Langford,20 Henry Armstrong21 Joe Louis,22 Sugar Ray Robinson,23 Tony Zale, Archie Moore, Carlos Monzon,24 and Khaosai Galaxy.
Brawler/Slugger

A brawler is a fighter who generally lacks finesse and footwork in the ring, but makes up for it through sheer punching power. Many brawlers tend to lack mobility, preferring a less mobile, more stable platform and have difficulty pursuing fighters who are fast on their feet. They may also have a tendency to ignore combination punching in favour of continuous beat-downs with one hand and by throwing slower, more powerful single punches (such as hooks and uppercuts). Their slowness and predictable punching pattern (single punches with obvious leads) often leaves them open to counter punches, so successful brawlers must be able to absorb substantial amounts of punishment. A brawler’s most important assets are power and chin (the ability to absorb punishment while remaining able to continue boxing).

Notable brawlers include Mike Tyson, Stanley Ketchel,25 Max Baer,26 Rocky Graziano,27 Sonny Liston28 .
Swarmers/In-fighter

In-fighters/swarmers (sometimes called “pressure fighters”) attempt to stay close to an opponent, throwing intense flurries and combinations of hooks and uppercuts. A successful in-fighter often needs a good “chin” because swarming usually involves being hit with many jabs before they can maneuver inside where they are more effective. In-fighters operate best at close range because they are generally shorter and have less reach than their opponents and thus are more effective at a short distance where the longer arms of their opponents make punching awkward. However, several fighters tall for their division have been relatively adept at in-fighting as well as out-fighting. The essence of a swarmer is non-stop aggression due to intense training resulting in superior endurance. Generally swarmers lack technique due to losing control of their emotions and the difficulty of maintaining finesse when constantly throwing punches. Many short in-fighters utilize their stature to their advantage, employing a bob-and-weave defense by bending at the waist to slip underneath or to the sides of incoming punches. Unlike blocking, causing an opponent to miss a punch disrupts his balance, permits forward movement past the opponent’s extended arm and keeps the hands free to counter. Some in-fighters have been known for being notoriously hard to hit. The key to a swarmer is aggression, endurance, chin, and bobbing-and-weaving.

Notable swarmers include Harry Greb,29 Jack Dempsey,30 Rocky Marciano31, Joe Frazier, Jake LaMotta and Mike Tyson

"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito on Belfort at Affliction:DOR

by Rundownloser on Apr 28, 2009 7:01 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Oh yeah, link. And I don’t know why it didn’t format that one line properly. Sounds like I need Bloodyelbow Technical Assistance!

"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito on Belfort at Affliction:DOR

by Rundownloser on Apr 28, 2009 7:02 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

So all boxers are boxers, but an in-fighter is and isn’t a boxer – got it. I think. What styles are Pacquiao and Hatton?

Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett

by themachiavellian on Apr 28, 2009 7:41 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Hatton is an in-fighter. Pacquiao is a boxer-puncher.

Creator of the FightMatrix rating system.

by JCS_FM on Apr 28, 2009 8:17 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

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