Hatton gives Mayweather ‘slight edge’ to win over Pacquiao

MANILA, Philippines – Like any other fighter in the sport of boxing, two-division world champion Ricky Hatton also had a share of opinion about the upcoming megafight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. on May 2 (May 3 in PH).

Hatton had crossed paths with both men in the ring at the height of their physical prime. The 36-year-old Englishman was routed by Mayweather via tenth-round stoppage in December 2007, while he suffered a brutal second-round knockout loss to Pacquiao in May 2009.

In an interview with Ring Magazine, Hatton gives Mayweather the nod to get the victory over Pacquiao when this generation’s two decorated pugilists collide at the 16,800-seater MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

“Floyd always finds a way to win, no matter the style, and that’s the reason that I make him a slight favorite over Manny,” he said.

Comparing his four meetings with Juan Manuel Marquez, the 5-foot-7 “Hitman” believes that Pacquiao will have his hands full solving Mayweather’s defensive style of fighting.

“Manny is a great fighter, but when you look at the trouble he had with the counter-punching style of Juan Manuel Marquez, he could be in serious trouble with Floyd Mayweather,” Hatton stressed.

Although he is awarding Mayweather the slender edge to take away his 48th career win, Hatton disclosed that Pacquiao has the skill-set to get the job done and hand the unbeaten American boxer his first-ever defeat.

“Manny is always on top of you and his hand and foot speed are very hard to read. He’s very herky-jerky and extremely dangerous when he gets into punching range,” he stated.

Hatton asserted that Pacquiao’s game plan against Mayweather should be similar when he had a dream match against Oscar De La Hoya in December 2008 and added that the pound-for-pound king’s shoulder-roll defense would not play a pivotal role in the bout.

“I feel that Manny should box in and out against Mayweather, adopting a similar style to what he used against Oscar De La Hoya. Floyd’s shoulder-roll defense wouldn’t be as effective and it would bring him out of his comfort zone,” said Hatton, who held the lineal junior welterweight belt for four years.

The British slugger cited Mayweather’s grueling encounter versus Zab Judah in April 2006 as an example when the 38-year-old native of Grand Rapids, Michigan had a difficult time fending off Judah in the first four rounds due to the latter’s relentless attacks and was compelled to take the driver’s seat.

“The last time Floyd was forced to come forward against a speedy fighter was with Zab Judah and he struggled early on. Imagine Manny bouncing around, in and out, with Floyd hunting him down using the shoulder roll,” he assessed.

Even though Mayweather has maintained his prizefighting record unblemished for nearly 19 years, Hatton presumes the possibility remains high that Pacquiao can beat the sport’s current top stud.

“I give Manny a great shot in the fight because Mayweather has slowed down a touch,” Hatton ended. – Rappler.com