After Hoya, it’s Hatton, Mayweather
By Marc Anthony Reyes
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 00:08:00 09/20/2008
Filed Under: Pacquiao, Boxing
MANILA, Philippines—Looks like Manny Pacquiao has figured out how his march towards becoming a full-time promoter will run: Oscar De La Hoya first, Ricky Hatton next and then, if he’s up to it, Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Pacquiao, arguably the world’s best fighter across weight classes, rattled off his choice of opponents in what is seen as a retirement parade, one that will kick off with the Dec. 6 bout against De La Hoya at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
In an interview with boxingherald.com during lulls in his training at Wild Card Gym in Hollywood, Pacquiao said he might take on British junior welterweight champion Ricky Hatton next and then lure Floyd Mayweather Jr. out of retirement.
“That (a fight with Hatton) is a possibility,” Pacquiao said. “If I win this fight (against De La Hoya), maybe Floyd Mayweather will come out of retirement looking for a big fight.”
Hatton, who is preparing for his Nov. 22 fight against Paulie Malignaggi at Madison Square Garden in New York, told doghouseboxing.com that he is setting his sights on fighting whoever wins between De La Hoya and Pacquiao.
Hatton earlier told the Manchester Evening News that if Pacquiao pulls an upset, he is willing to face the Filipino superstar at light welterweight (140lbs), But if the American legend takes it, he will fight De La Hoya at welterweight.
After the three matches, Pacquiao, who will turn 30 on Dec. 17, said he will move on to promoting boxing, just like the 35-year-old De La Hoya, who owns Golden Boy Promotions.
“It’s my plan that after my boxing career, I want to be a promoter,” Pacquiao told boxingherald.com. “I have a promotion coming up on Sept. 26 in San Diego.”
Pacquiao’s pronouncement practically slammed the door on the completion of a Pacquiao-Marquez trilogy, though the WBC lightweight champ earlier said he is willing to give Juan Manuel Marquez a crack as long as he is the promoter of the fight.
Meanwhile, a ringsidereport.com feature article said Pacquiao’s only chance of winning against De La Hoya is scoring a decision and that not even his vaunted power punching “can hurt De La Hoya.”
“The ‘Pacman’ must use his head movement to make De La Hoya miss with the jab, and then he can step inside. When he gets inside, he cannot settle for one or two punches. He has got to throw five, six, and seven punch combinations before he backs away,” said the article.
“Pacquiao has got to throw a lot of punches when he has the chance to do so. He has no choice but to outwork De La Hoya in this fight. It is not likely that he will be able to score a knockout.”
The article added that “trying to impress the judges will not be good enough, he (Pacquiao) has to leave them with no choice.”
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