The boxing fight of the year is coming up this Saturday as Ricky Hatton and Manny Pacquiao get ready to square off on May 2 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Before we get into a preview and prediction, here are the particulars:
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Manny Pacquiao v Ricky Hatton Preview
- What: 12 Round Welterweight Bout
- Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao Record: 48-3-2, 36 KOs
- Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton Record: 45-1, 32 KOs
- Pacquiao-Hatton Date: May 2, 2009
- Pacquiao-Hatton Time: 9:00 PM ET
- Pacquiao-Hatton Location: MGM Grand Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas
- Pacquiao-Hatton TV: Live on HBO PPV
- Pacquiao-Hatton Odds / Lines: See below
- Click here to bet on Pacquiao-Hatton at BetUs.com and get a $100 bonus
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The last time boxing betting fans recall seeing “The Hitman†Hatton in a marquee fight, he ended up with a bruised face and bruised ego with a 10th-round TKO at the gloves of Floyd Mayweather Jr.
The main concern for anyone betting the Hatton odds is whether or not he has recovered from that loss. Hatton and Mayweather Jr. really hated each other and it destroyed Hatton’s confidence to lose to a fighter as cocky as Mayweather Jr.
It took Hatton a while to bounce back and it’s definitely surprising to hear a former champion talk about crying himself to sleep after losing a fight.
Boxing betting experts know that a boxer is never the same after his first knockout, which is the main concern here. Hatton showed that was in fact the case when he fought Juan Lazcano in his follow up fight and nearly lost.
Hatton has made a change in his training camp, which comes as a surprise to many. Hatton has been training with Floyd May
weather Sr. for the fight against Pacquiao, which is an interesting choice.
Hatton and Mayweather Sr. couldn’t be more opposite. Hatton is humble while Mayweather Sr., like his son, is as arrogant as they get. Hatton’s style of boxing has always led to him going forward and being the aggressor, yet Mayweather Sr. is teaching Hatton some defensive skills.
It’s an interesting mix, which a lot of boxing betting fans aren’t sure will pay off.
In the other corner, you won’t find a trainer-fighter relationship that is closer than Pacquiao and trainer Freddie Roach.
Roach has his fighter peaking right now, which will make it really tough on Hatton. Pacquiao presents similar speed that Hatton proved he couldn’t handle against Mayweather Jr. but Pacquiao also has power.
These two fighters are simply at different ends of the spectrum. Pacquiao is in his prime while another ugly loss here could genuinely be the last for Hatton. Furthermore, it doesn’t look like Hatton is over his last loss while Pacquiao is as focused as it gets.
It doesn’t look good for Hatton as May 2 approaches while the Pacquiao odds keep looking better and better. One thing is for sure: with two fighters who prefer confrontation over dancing, the bout this Saturday should be electric.
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Here are the most updated odds and lines, courtesy of BetUs.com:
