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Wallace Matthews, Newsday: I love Pacquiao in this fight, but then again, I loved de la Hoya in the fight against Pacquiao. I just can't see a glorified clubfighter like Hatton beating the fighting machine that pummelled Oscar into retirement. Hatton tries hard and is pretty fast with his hands, but he's basically a straight-ahead fighter who gets hit too much, and unlike other guys who fought a similar style--Dempsey, Frazier, Duran, to name a few of the best - Hatton doesn't have the chin to pull it off. He was wobbled by Juan Lazcano, a journeyman, two fights back, and needed 11 rounds to dispose of feather-fisted Paulie Malignaggi, who basically gave up after three rounds. Hatton's only truly standout performance was against a washed-up Kostya Tszu four years ago, and people went nuts over him, but the easy beating by Floyd Mayweather Jr. I think is more indicative of his true abilities at this level. There's juist no logical reason to pick Hatton on his merits.
Pacquiao, on the other hand, seems to have vastly improved as both a boxer and a puncher as he's moved up in weight, his best performances coming against David Diaz and de la Hoya in weight classes he had never tried before. In some respects, the Oscar KO is a mirage, because de la Hoya turned out to be a shot fighter going in, but that should not detract from Pacquiao's performance, which was probably the most complete of his career. The guy is not a young 30--he's been fighting almost 15 years and was knocked out twice as a bantamweight--and he's fighting almost 50 pounds above the weight he started at (106) so I don't think he will have a particularly long shelf life. But he certainly has enough left to handle Hatton. He'll cut him up before stopping him in eight rounds. Or less.
Marcus Henry, Newsday: Manny Pacquiao looked great against a bigger fighter in Oscar de la Hoya. But there is a big difference between Hatton and de la Hoya. Hatton is much younger and quicker than de la Hoya at this point in his career. Yes, Hatton struggled against the quickness of Floyd Mayweather Jr., but Pacquiao isn't nearly as fast. I can't see a knockout in this fight, but I do believe Hatton has the power to press Pacquiao. Hatton will win a split decision.
Jose Moreno, Newsday: Manny Pacquiao has the edge in speed, technique, boxing knowledge and training. Ricky Hatton has size, strength, stronger chin and a referee, Kenny Bayless, who isn't likely to interfere if he tries to impose that size by mauling Pacquiao. The two men have roughly equivalent stamina and willpower. It will come down to Pacquiao's recent surge as a technician and his full repertoire of defensive and offensive skills leading to the dissection of Hatton's brawling style. Pacquiao will win by unanimous decision.
Mike Silver, author of "The Arc of Boxing: The Rise and Decline of the Sweet Science:" Hatton may be on the downgrade and will struggle to make 140 pounds. Nevertheless, this is a very interesting fight and not easy to predict, especially if both men are at their best. Neither man will give ground but Pacquiao can win it if he uses footwork to avoid Hatton's rushes and steps in and out with quick counterpunches, avoids a war of attrition, and keeps a busy jab in Hatton's face. Hatton is very predictable and will fight as he always has--straight ahead with both guns blazing. If the Pac Man chooses to go head-to-head with Hatton he is in for a rough evening. But I think he will fight the smart fight (as Roach will instruct him to) and will win a close 12-round decision.
Brian Doogan, Sunday Times of London: Manny Pacquiao's performance against Oscar De La Hoya was magnificent but De La Hoya was as shot as Freddie Roach, Pacquaio's trainer and De La Hoya's ex-trainer, predicted that he would be. In his most recent meaningful fights against top-notch opponents, I thought he lost in a very close fight against Juan Manuel Marquez and he wasn't at his best in a rematch against Marco Antonio Barrera. If Ricky Hatton can get to him like Marquez did, he could make it difficult for Pacquiao but I see Pacquiao's footwork and hand speed being too much for Hatton. As much as beating that version of De La Hoya was not an accurate barometer of Pacquiao, Hatton's victory over Paulie Malignaggi in his last fight was also illusory, his struggle against Juan Lazcano more indicative of Hatton's inevitable decline because of bad living. His bravery will not be enough in the face of so much precise punching and Pacquiao will win inside eight rounds.
Steve Farhood, Showtime boxing analyst: Pacquiao on points. I anticipate a good action fight. If manny engages inside, he might get beaten. If he fights inside and outside, his speed will be the difference.
Mark La Monica, Newsday: Manny P. with a fifth-round stoppage, followed by Larry Merchant and Jim Lampley running down the street and hugging in Lake Bellagio a la Rocky III.
Mario Gonzalez, Newsday: I think Pacquiao is at his peak coming in to the fight this weekend. His speed and accuracy will put him over the top and he'll cement his spot as the sports pound-for-pound king. Prediction: Pacquiao over Hatton by KO in the 8th.
Ron Ross, boxing author, historian: Ricky will be trying to work his man onto the ropes, keep the fight from the center of the ring. He may even succeed at times, but I think that Pacquiao's rapid fire, no let-up punching will prove too much for the rugged Brit to contain. There may be a bit of blood from the sharp-boned Hatton and a late round TKO on cuts is very possible. Manny by TKO, 9th or 10th round.
Bobby Cassidy, Newsday: I love this fight. I think it's going to be a great fight. I also think, that with all the talk about boxing and defense and technique that we've seen on HBO's 24/7 series, these two guys essentially like to fight. And when the bell rings, they will fight -- not box. Given that scenario, I think Ricky Hatton will be too big and too strong for Manny. He was 106 pounds when he turned pro and 112 when he won his first title. He was brilliant against the bigger Oscar De La Hoya, but the difference here is that Ricky is still in his prime, Oscar was nowhere near it. I think Hatton wins a close decison.
Predictions source: newsday.com
Watch HBO 24/7 Pacquiao vs. Hatton episodes:
HBO Pacquiao vs. Hatton 24/7 Episode 1.
HBO Pacquiao vs. Hatton 24/7 Episode 2.
HBO Pacquiao vs. Hatton 24/7 Episode 3.
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