Boxing - Manny Pacquiao vs. Ricky Hatton is now official

[Il Duce]

Manny Pacquiao vs. Ricky Hatton is now officialIt's been reported here and everywhere else before, but now that Top Rank and Golden Boy have sent out their respective press releases, the Manny Pacquiao vs. Ricky Hatton fight is official for May 2 at the MGM in Las Vegas.

"I always like new challenges and this is why I am anxious to fight Ricky Hatton," said Pacquiao in the release. "My trainer Freddie Roach will put together a new game plan which will be much different than the one we used against Oscar (de la Hoya). Hatton is a very strong puncher so I must deal with that in the ring. I promise I will be completely prepared and will do my best for all of my fans in the Philippines and around the world."

"We are very excited that this fight has been made, as it is the fight fans wanted and the one I look forward to seeing myself," said Oscar de la Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions, which is promoting Hatton. "This fight has all the makings of a "Fight of the Year" candidate and I think Hatton will dethrone Pacquiao and become boxing's pound-for-pound king."

[Il Duce]

I know it's a little while away but thoughts?

I got Pacquiao, think he will be to quick for Ricky and he just destroyed Della Hoya

[Choccies]

Manny is a gun and adored by the Filipinos.... the whole world stops when he fights and they adore him !! I believe they tried to get him to run for parliament over there he is so popular !! Heard many a story about his early days working on the wharves and getting into fisticuffs down there... a great boxer too.... will be too fast for Ricky Hatton who is no slouch either..

[Il Duce]

Indeed he is loved by the Filipinos. My wife is Filipino and she went crazy when he destryoed Della Hoya, I think Manny is the best pound for pound fighter. Hatton is no slouch but I think Manny will just be to good

[Magpiespower]

One of Ali's most famous quotes easily applies to Manny:

"I'm so fast that last night I turned off the light switch in my hotel room and was in bed before the room was dark."