At a few days removed from his next bout against Ricky Hatton of England, the four times world champion Manny Pacquiao looks just about ready for his big test from what could be seen this last Wednesday when the “Pacman” opened his camp to the assembled media according to the Venezuelan web portal meridiano.com
Pacquiao (48-3-2, 36KO) will face off against Hatton (45-1, 32KO) on Saturday May 2nd at the MGM Grand in the mecca of boxing, Las Vegas, NV, and it will be broadcast by PPV presented by Top Rank in association with Golden Boy Promotions.
“We have had a great training camp. I know that I have gotten prepared to the best of my abilities for this fight since we know that Hatton is a strong fighter,” Pacquaio said who is coming off his destruction of Oscar De La Hoya last December.
In 2008 Pacquiao collected both teh WBC 130 lbs. and 135 lbs. titles and finished off his year with a mega fight against the “Golden Boy’ at 147 lbs.
For his efforts Pacquaio was selected as the fighter of the year by the associated writers of the United States for his three sensational wins over Juan Manuel Marquez, David Diaz and De La Hoya and is looking forward to starting 2009 on the right foot.
He has been training for nearly two months in Hollywood under the tutelage of Freddie Roach and looks quick, strong and confident for his bout with Hatton.
“It is important to be focused in my work and do the right thing in the gym. We know that they key to victory is preparation and that is why we have worked so hard for this fight,” Pacquiao stated who has sparred with Urbano Antillon and Mike Alvarado among others.
Without wanting to talk about future opponents to much, Pacquiao mentioned that there is some names that he is interested in after his fight with Hatton.
“First it is Hatton and I am focused on him but obviously there is other fighters I am interested in facing like Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., Edwin Valero and Miguel Cotto without forgetting about a third fight with Marquez or a fight against Shane Mosley but I want to say again that at this time, I only thinking about Hatton,” Pacquiao said.
Concerning the retirement of Oscar De La Hoya announced this week, Pacquiao shared “he had a great career and he did a lot for the sport of boxing.”