Pacquiao vs Mayweather Live Stream

Manny Pacquiao vs Floyd Mayweather fight in Las Vegas

2009-12-21T19:39:00.000-08:00

MANILA, Philippines - It didn’t come as a surprise that the Manny Pacquiao vs Floyd Mayweather fight did land in Las Vegas.

“As far as we know it’s always been Vegas,” said Pacquiao’s adviser, Mike Koncz, yesterday when news broke out that promoters have already agreed to stage the fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Koncz, who was with Pacquiao yesterday afternoon, said he expects an announcement to come very soon as to the final details of the fight that is scheduled to take place on March 13.

The state-of-the-art Cowboys Stadium in Dallas made a spirited bid to host the fight, probably the biggest in boxing history, and owner Jerry Jones reportedly made a $25 million offer to get it there.

But Vegas is just the place to hold a fight of this magnitude.

“There’s no other place to hold it than Vegas. With all the casinos and the high-rollers coming over, it’s just hard to match. Nasa Vegas ang pera (The money is in Vegas),” said Pacquiao’s lawyer, Franklin Gacal.

“It’s the MGM. It’s definite,” an article that came out of fanhouse.com quoted a source as saying, and that the choice was based on both fighters’ “familiarity with the location as well as their past success there.”

According to reports, the MGM Grand could generate as much as $28 million in live-gate sales. Also in store are 40,000 closed-circuit seats through MGM/Mirage properties, and at $100 a head could present a total package of $32 million.

And that’s enough to quash Dallas’ $25 million offer.

Pacquiao has fought six times at the MGM Grand, winning four (against Lehlo Ledwaba, Oscar dela Hoya, Ricky Hatton and Miguel Cotto), losing once to Erik Morales and drawing once with Juan Manuel Marquez.

Mayweather, on the other hand, has fought six times at the MGM during his unbeaten run of 40 fights. His wins at MGM came against Gregorio Vargas, Diego Corrales, Jose Luis Castillo, Dela Hoya, Hatton and Marquez.

The Pacquiao-Mayweather fight is expected to generate more than $100 million, and both fighters, guaranteed of at least $25 million each, could get as much as $40 million when everything comes in.

A press conference, a major one, is scheduled Jan. 6 in New York and two days after another one will take place in Los Angeles. There will be no press tour for this fight which the whole world wants to see.

The fight is set at 147 lb and Pacquiao’s WBO welterweight crown, which he took from Cotto last month, will be at stake. They will use 8-ounce gloves, and both camps have also agreed to random drug testing weeks leading to the fight.

There’s no confirmation whether both fighters have signed the fight contract, but now that it’s all been agreed upon, there’s no reason for them to hold back and get it done

Pacquiao vs Mayweather Live Stream

2009-12-15T19:07:00.000-08:00

After the fight has been finalized last few days, the Pacquiao vs. Mayweather fight is on and this will be realized on March 13. After a tremendous performance of Manny Pacquiao on his last 5 fights specially on his recent fight with Miguel Cotto, his camp decided to challenge the former pound-for-pound King FloydMayweather Jr. The fight is promoted by two top boxing promotions of the world, the Golden Boy Promotion and the Top Rank promotion. This fight Mayweather vs. Pacquiao is likely to be the biggest boxing event in the history of boxing. These two fighters are on their Prime and they are the reigning and former Pound-for-Pound Kings of Boxing so this would really attract more viewers and sports fanatics around the world. This is the fight that the world is waiting for, the fight that would really judge who's the best and who's the pound-for-pound king. Who do you think will win? Is it Pacquiao? or Mayweather Jr? Let's find out this coming March 13, I hope that we could watch Pacquiao vs Mayweather Live Stream for free. For now, just check out the boxing fight records of Manny Pacquiao and Floyds Mayweather Jr., below and you can decide who will be your bet.

Floyds Mayweather Jr.
Last 5 Opponents:
(Fighter - Winner)
Juan Manuel Marquez - Mayweather W12
Ricky Hatton - Mayweather KO 10
Oscar De La Hoya - Mayweather W 12
Carlos Baldomir - Mayweather W12
Zab Judah - Mayweather W12

Stats:
Division: Welterweight
Fight record: 40 Wins, 0 Draw, 25KOs
Height: 5'8"

Manny Pacquiao
Last 5 Opponents:
(Fighter - Winner)
Miguel Cotto - Pacquiao TKO 12
Ricky Hatton - Pacquiao KO 2
Oscar De La Hoya - Pacquiao TKO 8
David Diaz - Pacquiao TKO 9
Juan Manuel Marquez - Pacquiao W 12

Stats:
Light Welterweight
Fight record: 50 Wins, 3 Draws, 2 Losts, 38KOs
Height: 5'6"

I'll update this post from time to time so stay tune on this blog for news and updates.

Pacquiao vs. Mayweather: Manny will get his ear’s boxed off

2009-12-15T18:27:00.000-08:00

Pacquiao vs. Mayweather: Manny will get his ear’s boxed off.

Source: www.boxingnews24.com
By Derrick Villanueva

This is purely a figment of my imagination, written after re-watching each fighter’s last two fights in succession.)

Round 1 – The “Feeling Out” round. Pacquiao and Mayweather emerge from their respective corners. Pacquiao approaches but a quick jab from Mayweather surprises Pacquiao. Pacquiao fires off his own loose jabs, trying to find range. Mayweather slips around and fires more jabs, utilizing his reach advantage. Pacquiao attacks aggressively, eating a right on his way in. Mayweather has his back on the ropes. Pacquiao fires off 2 4 punch combos in succession, while Mayweather bobs and weaves and parries. Pacquiao connects with 2/8. Mayweather escapes to the side, fires off a right hand which hits as he catches Manny trying to follow up. Pacquiao turns, taps his fists as if to say “Bring It.” And the Round Ends. Round Winner Prediction: Either.

Round 2 – More of Round 1, with Pacquiao attacking and hitting Mayweather with about 25% of his power shots and Mayweather connecting with 50% of his straights. Nobody is hurt yet. Round Winner Prediction: Either.

Round 3 – Pacquiao lunges at Mayweather on Roach’s command, throwing another couple of 4 punch combos. Mayweather tries to slip away to the side but Manny moves to one of his weird angles and cuts off Mayweather’s escape route. Mayweather bobs and weaves as Manny throws another couple of 4 punch combos. Money finally fires off a left hook and escapes from the ropes, hit with about 30% of Pac’s shots. Pac follows but further attempts to trap Mayweather fails as Mayweather pussies out but uses his jab to keep the Pacman at bay. Round Winner Prediction: Pacquiao.

Round 4 – Mayweather stays out of range, firing his right hand every time Manny steps to attack. Manny moves to a weird angle which gives him an open angle to unleash a combo. Money evades but is forced back towards the ropes. He fights off the ropes hitting Pacman with straights and the occasional left hook while Manny unleashes his “Punch Out” routine on the bending, twisting, slipping, rolling, Mayweather, landing one or two before Mayweather escapes and taunts. The Pacman taunts back. Round Winner Prediction: Either.

Round 5 – Pacquiao moves forward with a different plan of attack on advise from his corner. He eats several jabs and straights until he gets Money onto the ropes or corner. Pacman starts landing body shots on PBF. Floyd hits Manny with a left hook and escapes. Pacquiao does the same thing for the rest of the round, mixing head and body combos. Round Winner Prediction: Pacquiao.

Round 6 – Mayweather keeps Manny at bay with the jab. He is advised to stay off the ropes and the corners by Sr. and to Run and Gun. Mayweather follows the plan until tiring by near the end of the round where Pacman rallies and lands thudding combos to the head and body. Round Winner Prediction: Mayweather.

Round 7 – More running and gunning from Mayweather, cutting Pacquiao. Infuriated, Pacquiao starts reverting to his old devil-may-care style but with one difference: He now knows how to “cut the pie” and prevents Mayweather from escaping. Pacquiao is punished by counter rights and hooks while he continues pounding on Money’s face and body. Round Winner Prediction: Either.

Round 8 – Mayweather is weary this round from the pounding he has received on his body and to his face. He hits and runs, and uses every defensive trick in his book to avoid Pacquiao while hitting the chasing Pacquiao with straights. Pacquiao’s connection rate decreases with the cut on his eye and he doesn’t catch Floyd with any flush shots this round. Round Winner Prediction: Mayweather.

Round 9 – Freddie Roach rallies his prized pupil and Pacquiao bounces towards Money as if it was the opening round. Mayweather, slower because of last round’s running, is cornered and is subjected to non-stop punching from Pacquiao. Mayweather escapes barely. He knows he Might have the Pacman on points so he starts running around. Pacquiao, tired of all the running, stops chasing. Mayweather is forced to attack with an occasional jab. Pacquiao ducks under one of those jabs and lands a hook/uppercut that finally cuts PBF. Round Winner Prediction: Pacquiao.

Rounds 10-12 – Floyd Hits and Runs, now respecting the Pacman’s power and Pacquiao chases and lands occasional blows/combos. Round Winners: Either.

Winner of the bout: Manny Pacquiao by a close, split decision.

Yep, that’s how it played out in my mind. I don’t think Floyd has the power to knock Manny out and I don’t think the Pacman will hit Money enough times to knock him out. I don’t think either one will come out of the fight unscathed either. One thing’s for sure: It’s Gonna Be Good.

The Manny Pacquiao Vs. Floyd Mayweather Bout Appears to Be Close to Done

2009-12-15T18:19:00.000-08:00

ESPN is reporting that the Pacquiao vs. Mayweather fight is almost finalized. This comes just days after Floyd Mayweather agreed to the terms that promoters Bob Arum of Top Rank and Richard Schaefer of Golden Boy had agreed upon.

Following that breakthrough, Arum flew straight to the Philippines so he could meet with his star fighter, currently the number 1 pound for pound boxer in the world. Over a breakfast meeting, Pacquiao apparently was satisfied with the terms of the bout.

Could it be, a mega-fight in boxing that both stars have made extremely easy to navigate and negotiate? Anything can happen, and until the names are signed on those contracts, nothing is official. Still, this is extremely great news for boxing fans, considering the magnitude of the potential Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao bout.

If Pacquiao vs. Mayweather is to be finalized, it seems that a few more details have been worked out since the last news from earlier in the week. It now seems that March 13 is a near lock to be the date of the event.

Another issue that could have been a potential snag in negotiations seems cleared up as well. Apparently Pacquiao and his team are fine at fighting at the full welterweight limit of 147 lbs. This is a change in stance from Pacquiao's recent bout with Miguel Cotto.

The change in opinion could either be due to 1) the increased importance of this bout, 2) Mayweather's superior bargaining position as opposed to Cotto or 3) the fact that Mayweather is not a large welterweight, and so any weight or strength advantage would not truly be present in the bout.

One thing that remains unclear as to this point is where the fight will be held. As previously reported, Dallas, New Orleans and Las Vegas are all still in the running. If the fight lands in Vegas, a 30,000 outdoor stadium will likely be constructed to accommodate the masses.

source: www.associatedcontent.com

Arum in Manila to get Pacquiao’s nod on megabout with Floyd

2009-12-02T21:56:00.000-08:00

Top Rank honcho Bob Arum is now in the Philippines to get Manny Pacquiao’s nod on the proposed megafight with Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Arum arrived Thursday morning with a proposed contract for a March 13 gig between two of boxing’s biggest superstars and pay-per-view magnets.

According to the Associated Press, the contract was agreed to by Mayweather’s representatives but the flamboyant American boxer has yet to sign.

Arum will be presenting the proposal to Pacquiao later in the day in a crucial meeting in Manila, although there are no guarantees the Filipino ring icon will readily give his consent.

Pacquiao, after hacking out a 12th round TKO over Miguel Cotto to win an unprecedented seventh division title, has set his sights on the political arena in the next five months.

The 30-year-old Pacquiao has filed his certificate of candidacy for the House of Representatives in Sarangani Province and would be preoccupied with his bid until the May 10, 2010 elections.

There are talks, according to a report by PhilBoxing.Com, that the “Pacman" might not even be inclined to climb the ring until the polls are over, a development that could possibly push the date back or even derail the Pacquiao-Mayweather megabuck encounter altogether.

Still, the fact Arum would make the trip to the Philippines to try and get his fighter to sign for the bout was an indication that the megafight was moving forward.

Promoters for both fighters had agreed to a blackout on negotiations for the bout, so no one would comment on the record. A person close to the promotion spoke to AP on terms his identity would remain confidential.

If the fight is made, there would likely be a Jan. 11 press conference in New York to announce it. The bout could be the richest ever, assuming pay-per-view projections are accurate.

Representatives of the Superdome in New Orleans and the new Dallas Cowboys' stadium have expressed interest in hosting the fight, as has the MGM Grand hotel-casino in Las Vegas, where the fighters have fought their biggest fights. There is also a proposal for a 30,000-seat temporary stadium on the Las Vegas Strip across from the Wynn resort.

Oddsmakers are already taking bets on the fight, with most making the undefeated Mayweather a slight favorite.

Pacquiao vs Mayweather Live Stream

Souce: GMA news / with reports from AP

Mayweather-Pacquiao fight nearly finalized

2009-12-02T05:17:00.000-08:00

The much-anticipated bout between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao is all but set for March 13, a source told Yahoo! Sports.

Mayweather has agreed to terms and promoter Bob Arum is making a trip to Manila, Philippines, to finalize a deal with Pacquiao, the source said.

Las Vegas, Dallas and New Orleans are the front-runners to host the bout, which is expected to become the highest-grossing boxing match in the sport’s history.

Pacquiao is the top pound-for-pound fighter in nearly every major ranking, including Yahoo! Sports. Mayweather is No. 2 in most rankings and was No. 1 in nearly all of the polls before he briefly retired in June 2008.

Pacquiao is coming off a 12th-round stoppage of Miguel Cotto on Nov. 14 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, a bout in which he won the World Boxing Organization welterweight championship and erased fears that he is not a legitimate welterweight.

Cotto was a legitimate welterweight in his prime and Pacquiao dominated, knocking him down twice and cruising to the one-sided victory.

Mayweather routed Juan Manuel Marquez, who had previously been ranked No. 2 in the Yahoo! Sports poll, in a Sept. 19 fight at the MGM Grand.

The public demand for the fight has been enormous, putting pressure on Arum and Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer, who represents Mayweather, to get a deal done.

Promoters had targeted May 1 for the fight almost from the moment that Pacquiao stopped Cotto. But Pacquiao filed Tuesday to run for Congress in the Philippines and the election will be held on May 10.

Given that, the bout with Mayweather had to be moved up to March 13 or pushed back until September.

Though there were reports that Arum was considering matching Pacquiao with new WBO super welterweight champion Yuri Foreman on March 13 in Dallas, that was a diversionary move and was never serious, the source said.

A survey team from Top Rank will inspect Dallas Cowboys Stadium as a possible venue. The MGM Grand Garden Arena and the New Orleans Superdome are also in the running to host the mega-fight, the source said.

Mayweather vs Pacquiao Live Stream

Source: Yahoo Sports by By Kevin Iole

Pacquiao-Mayweather match must be made

2009-11-25T18:05:00.001-08:00

LAS VEGAS – Just minutes after Manny Pacquiao had violently turned Miguel Cotto’s face into raw hamburger, the chant rose up from the stands of the MGM Grand Garden Arena:

“We want Floyd.”

Pacquiao had delivered a systematic demolition job of Cotto, winning the World Boxing Organization welterweight title via 12th round TKO with round after round of devastating shots against a bigger, stronger man.

It was the second electrifying boxing performance of the fall. The first was Floyd Mayweather Jr’s 12-round decision over Juan Manuel Marquez in September. That fight broke the rare 1 million pay-per-view bar, a number that will likely be exceeded by this fight too.

So now the stage is set for a super fight that could set box office records – Mayweather vs. Pacquiao. It’s the dream bout between the two best pound-for-pound champions in the sport, hopefully sometime in 2010.

“If Floyd Mayweather wants to fight Manny Pacquiao he knows who to call,” said Bob Arum, the CEO of Top Rank Boxing, the promotion which handles Pacquiao.

Within minutes, Ross Greenberg, the head of HBO Sports said he had spoken to Richard Shaefer of Golden Boy Promotions, which represents Mayweather.

“Richard told me point blank, Bob Arum will be getting that call Monday,” Greenberg said. “He plans on meeting next week with Bob to make the Mayweather fight.”

There will, no doubt, be posturing and preening and negotiating over the split. There are no small egos in this battle; no small checks, either.

“Benjamin Franklin is the most important personality [in the negotiation],” said Greenberg, whose company would handle the pay-per-view. “His face, multiplied by 15 million brings people to the table. Each guy needs to look at the big picture and the big picture is a boat load of cash and a fight too important for the sport.”

Greenberg said the 2007 fight between Mayweather and Oscar De La Hoya resulted in an $80 million purse.

“Is this one smaller?” Greenberg said, shaking his head. “Bigger.”

For boxing fans who care little about who gets more of the final millions and just want to see two legendary fighters in the prime of their careers, this will be a tantalizing wait.

“I think that is the fight the world wants to see,” Pacquiao’s trainer, Freddie Roach, said.

Pacquiao’s performance here was a thing of beauty, the continuation of a run of brilliance. He chopped a big, powerful opponent down with a combination of speed, smarts and toughness to take shots of his own.

He didn’t shy away from leaning on the ropes and mixing it up with Cotto because he said he wanted to prove he can fight a physical fight and was tired of hearing about Cotto’s supposed strength.

“I yelled at him every time, why are you fighting his fight?” Roach said. “Manny says, ‘I can handle it.’ I said, ‘Well, prove it.’ And he did.”

Post-fight, Cotto was sent to a local trauma unit. Pacquiao performed an eight-song set with his band at an outdoor concert at Mandalay Bay.

The night left little doubt about his genius.

Fans in Manila, Philippines, go bonkers after native son Manny Pacquiao stopped Miguel Cotto in Round 12 to win the WBO welterweight title.

(Getty Images)

Pacquiao, 30, who has won titles in a record six or seven weight classes (depending on which version of history you believe), said his 5-foot-6 frame can’t handle a weight higher than 145, so he’s running out of challengers.

The only real one left is Mayweather, 32, the 5-foot-7 welterweight who presents his own combination of historic quickness, boxing smarts and defensive skills.

Likewise, Pac-man is about the only real threat to Mayweather, who has dominated boxing in putting together a 40-0 record. Nearly two years ago, Mayweather was so bored from the lack of challengers, he retired for a stretch.

In his absence, Pacquiao rose, defeating both De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton in a much more brutal manner than Mayweather did. Now it’s Pac-man (50-3-2) who many call the pound-for-pound king, a fictional title that Mayweather insists is still his.

Now they can prove it.

Both are known for their ability to throw and land punches from unusual angles, from avoiding contact and for making each punch count. It would be speed against speed, true boxer against true boxer, two all-time greats, lined up and ready.

Each fighter’s colorful entourage had already started the debates and trash talk.

Floyd Mayweather Sr. launched into a circular rant that essentially accused Pacquiao of being on HGH. “I’ve been in boxing since I was 15 years old, I’ve never seen anything like it,” he said of Pacquiao’s new-found size and chin. Not that Senior said it would matter if Manny fought his son.

“When it’s time for us to fight, I’m going to show you all who the master is,” Mayweather Sr. said.

For good measure Mayweather Sr. claimed Roach was only a great trainer because he has a great fighter.

“Tell him to go [expletive] himself,” Roach said.

Roach said the game plan against Mayweather is obvious, catch him if you can.

“Mayweather is a very defensive fighter,” Roach said. “He doesn’t like to engage much. You have to pressure him. I think we have the hand speed to do that. We’d have to set traps for him and fight every minute of every round. I hear he [trains like] a machine too. I’d like to see who lasts longer.”

Roach also feels that with the chin Pacquiao showed against Cotto, that forcing the action against the softer hitting Mayweather won’t present a risk.

“Floyd can’t break a nail, he hurts his hands all the time,” Roach said. “He can’t knock Manny Pacquiao out.”

Pacquiao said he was taking a vacation and would fight whoever Arum set up for him. Mayweather Jr. did not attend the fight even though he lives in Las Vegas. His father said he did watch at home though and the loquacious boxer would have plenty to say in the future.

No one doubts that one.

And for once, it seems that boxing’s suicidal politics and factions won’t stand in the way of the fight everyone wants to see.

Pacquiao vs. Mayweather. See you in 2010.

It’s inevitable: Pacquiao and Mayweather will meet

2009-11-25T18:04:00.000-08:00

LAS VEGAS – It was a simple question that left Bob Arum struggling for an answer: In his 43 years of promoting boxing matches, has there ever been a fight that the public demanded that, eventually, was not made?

After much difficulty, Arum had to fudge a little to come up with an answer: He chose a rematch.

And he’s right. The public badly wanted a rematch between Oscar De La Hoya and Felix Trinidad after their first bout, on Sept. 18, 1999, ended in much controversy with a Trinidad victory via majority decision.

“That was a fight that clearly had a lot of public demand and that never got made, and I am sad to say I am one of the people to blame,” Arum said. “[Trinidad promoter Don] King and I wound up arguing over stupid [expletive] and it never did happen.”

But at least Trinidad and De La Hoya did fight each other. As did Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield. And Tyson and Lennox Lewis. And Lewis and Holyfield. And Sugar Ray Leonard and Marvelous Marvin Hagler. The list rolls on.

Boxing often suffers from self-immolation, but the one thing that eventually always happens is that the biggest fights get made.

And so, somehow, some way, at some point, Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao will fight each other. Guaranteed.

Oh, it may not happen the next time out for each man, though it should. And there will be a lot of nasty exchanges along the way toward getting it done. But it will get done. Count on it. There is too much money in it for it not to happen.

And if one or the other, or both, loses, it would severely dampen enthusiasm for the bout and would cost each millions.

The question is not if it will happen but rather how well it will do on pay-per-view when it eventually is signed. The pay-per-view results for Saturday’s bout between Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto, in which Pacquiao put on a spectacular show in stopping Cotto in the 12th round at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, still aren’t in.

Indications are ripe that the number will be large, perhaps as high as 1.5 million, but even Arum was urging restraint.

“We’ll know the satellite [sales] numbers by the end of the day [Tuesday] and then we will at least have some kind of an idea of what the final number will be,” Arum said. “Right now, anything we say is speculation that doesn’t mean a thing.”

Most of the speculation is uninformed. What is not speculation is the public demand for this fight, which exceeds the demand for any fight since Tyson and Lewis finally fought in 2002 after years of wrangling.

De La Hoya and Mayweather fought in 2007 in a bout that sold a record 2.45 million pay-per-view units, though there wasn’t nearly the kind of demand among the public for that fight that there is for a Pacquiao-Mayweather fight.

Each man has a claim to be boxing’s pound-for-pound king.

Floyd Mayweather, knocking down Juan Manuel Marquez in September, didn’t take long in starting the war of words against Manny Pacquiao. “If Manny Pacquiao wants to fight me, all he has to do is step up to the plate and say it himself.”

(AP Photo)

Each has knocked off a series of the game’s top fighters.

Each is among the sport’s most popular fighters and bankable stars.

Each has won championships in multiple weight classes.

And each has crossed into the mainstream.

Mayweather has appeared on “Dancing with the Stars” and in the main event of “WrestleMania 25.” Pacquiao has gained such notoriety that he was on the cover of the Asian edition of Time Magazine and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton picked him to beat Cotto, referring to him by his nickname, Pac-Man.

Mayweather manager Leonard Ellerbe said his fighter is willing to take the fight “seven days a week, 24 hours a day,” but said “the lion’s share of the money” would have to go to Mayweather.

“This is business, not a high school popularity contest,” Ellerbe said. “Look at the three common opponents. Floyd did 2.45 million against Oscar De La Hoya; Pacquiao did 1.25 [million]. Floyd did a million against [Juan Manuel] Marquez; they are lucky if their two fights combined did 800,000.

(Editor’s note: The first Pacquiao-Marquez bout, in 2004, was on HBO and not on pay-per-view.)

“We did 940,000 with Ricky Hatton and they did 810,000. Those are the numbers and the numbers don’t lie.”

The public, though, doesn’t care about the numbers, not when each man is guaranteed eight-figure paydays. The public, and not just boxing fans, badly wants to see a Mayweather-Pacquiao fight – or should it be Pacquiao-Mayweather? – and the pay-per-view figures likely will dwarf anything that either man has done so far.

Arum, who is usually among the most hyperbolic of men, wouldn’t even touch the question of whether the potential bout could do 3 million on pay-per-view. The earliest the bout would occur, if it were to be made, likely would be May 2010, putting it three years after Mayweather-De La Hoya did 2.45 million.

“We can’t go back to the De La Hoya-Mayweather fight and say, ‘Well, because that fight did so great, this fight will, too,’ ” Arum said. “Obviously, I know Pacquiao-Mayweather is a big, big fight. But we don’t know what the elements were that drove De La Hoya-Mayweather to the number it reached. That number they got was so much higher than anything imaginable. I can’t tell you why necessarily that happened, so how can I then say a Pacquiao-Mayweather fight will exceed it? We need more information still.”

Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer, who promoted the De La Hoya-Mayweather fight, believes that with a larger universe of pay-per-view homes, the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight can outdo it.

“It’s the kind of fight that I think has the potential to break 5 million,” Schaefer said. “I really think so. It’s a fight that will have people all over the world glued to their TV screens, whether they’re boxing fans or sports fans or general public. This is clearly an event people want to see.

“I can not remember any fight where, pretty much the second that [Pacquiao-Cotto] was over, the fans started chanting ‘We want Floyd! We want Floyd!’ The whole world, internationally, here, in Europe, in Asia, they want to see Mayweather fight Pacquiao. Everyone agrees these are the two best and it seems to me this fight has become bigger than the sport of boxing.”

MGM Grand race and sports book director Jay Rood said he will make Mayweather a slight favorite when the bout is placed on the board.

Mayweather said he’s willing to take the bout, and grudgingly gave Pacquiao credit for his performance in stopping Cotto 55 seconds into the 12th round. In what is perhaps a sign of what will come, though, Mayweather wasn’t about to shower Pacquiao with too much praise.

Arum had predicted before the fight that reporters wouldn’t give Pacquiao full credit for beating Cotto because he said they’d point to Cotto’s 2008 loss to Antonio Margarito and suggest that Cotto was damaged goods.

Margarito was subsequently discovered trying to use an illegal knuckle pad in his hand wraps, prompting speculation he had his wraps loaded when he fought Cotto.

Mayweather simply said Cotto wasn’t the same fighter he’d seen earlier.

“He was only a shell of himself, though that’s not to take anything away from Pacquiao,” Mayweather said. “Manny Pacquiao did what he was supposed to do. But it’s a whole different stratosphere getting up in there with Floyd Mayweather.

“Manny Pacquiao knows what time of day it is. That’s why he’s not so quick to jump his ass up in there.”

The World Awaits: Pacquiao vs. Mayweather

2009-11-25T18:03:00.000-08:00

If the world was only simply buzzing before, the planet is now demanding that it happen.

After winning a record seventh world title in his seventh weight division Saturday night, Manny Pacquiao and his team fielded the questions about his next logical opponent: Floyd Mayweather Jr.

"It's the promoter who makes the fights," Pacquaio said about a potential Mayweather clash. "My job is to fight in the ring."

When asked, Floyd Mayweather usually answers in a similar fashion.

But if the fighters don’t want to talk about it, the fans certainly do. The crowd started chanting “Bring on Floyd!” prior to the end of the bout. HBO commentators Jim Lampley, Larry Merchant and Emanuel Steward were already theorizing about it. The crowd roared when Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach mentioned that it was the fight he wanted in the ring after Pacquiao’s beating of Miguel Cotto.

"Sure, we'll fight Mayweather, if he wants to," Roach said.

Prior to retiring in 2008, Floyd Mayweather was considered the consensus pound for pound king of boxing following victories over Zab Judah, Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton. Upon his retirement, Pacquiao rose to prominence with impressive stoppage wins over De La Hoya, Hatton and now Cotto.

Mayweather’s retirement proved to be nothing more than a hiatus. Earlier this year Mayweather returned to face lightweight champ Juan Manuel Marquez.
Floyd earned himself an easy lopsided decision in that fight. Considering Marquez is the only fighter in recent memory to make Pacquiao look human (fighting him to a draw and split decision loss), it was impressive to see Mayweather win so handily.

From a boxing perspective: Pacquiao defeated De La Hoya and Hatton in far more impressive fashion than Mayweather. On the other side of the coin, Mayweather defeated Marquez far more convincingly than Pacquiao. He also fought De La Hoya and Hatton prior to Pacquiao, leading to the possibility that he fought both men closer to their prime than Pacquiao. All of these intangibles make it a must see fight.

From a business perspective: Mayweather sold over 2 million PPV’s for his fight against Oscar De La Hoya, just under a million against Hatton and surprisingly over a million against Marquez. Pacquiao sold over 1 million against De Le Hoya, just under a million against Pacquiao and though official numbers are not yet know, it is believed that his fight with Cotto will surpass over a million buys. All of these numbers lead to huge numbers if Pacquiao and Mayweather were to meet.

It’s the best fight and most significant fight than can be made in boxing at this time. It’s the most lucrative fight that can be made, possibly of all time.

To the promoters, managers, advisors and fighters: Make it happen. It would be a shame if it didn’t.

Source: www.8countnews.com

Pacquiao now a Datu

2009-11-21T00:55:00.000-08:00

President Arroyo Friday conferred the Order of Sikatuna, with a rank of Datu, on Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao in recognition of his unequivocable contribution in putting the Philippines in the international radar screen, particularly in the field of boxing.

In welcoming the People's Champ who just arrived Friday from his victorious welterweight bout, Mrs. Arroyo accorded him the national order of diplomatic merit.

The simple awarding ceremony was held in Luneta Park in Manila where hundreds of people from different walks of life flocked to be one with Pacquaio's victory.

The recent recipient of such award was United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton who visited the country last week. Mrs. Arroyo also conferred the award to late Manila Archbishop Cardinal Sin, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon; several foreign diplomats, including former United States Ambassador Francis J. Ricciardone.

The President, who had earlier named Pacquiao as the country's envoy for peace and national unity, was supposed to provide hero's welcome for Pacquiao, but decided to honor him in a ceremony in Luneta, instead.

Malacanang said the seventh victory of Pacquiao in the boxing world should prod the Guinness Book of World Records to automatically include the Filipino boxing icon, in their roster.

Pacquiao, the newly crowned World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champion, and his entourage led by wife Jinkee arrived in Manila early Friday morning after another jubilant win over Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico in Las Vegas.

Fans cheered the boxing icon's arrival and shared in celebrating Pacquiao's feat as the first-ever seven division champion in boxing after a 14-year boxing career that started as a 108-pound fighter and climbed to 145-pound.

Aside from Jinkee, Pacquiao was in the company of his parents Dionisia and Rosalio, his good friend Deputy National Security Adviser Chavit Singson and other members of his training team when he planed in at 5:30 a.m. Friday at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2.

Saranggani or party-list?

Meanwhile, Pacquiao will definitely try his luck in politics in 2010. However, he is still undecided on whether to seek a seat in the Congress as representative of Saranggani province or as a nominee of a party-list group.

Pacquiao, accompanied by his wife Jinkee, arrived at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) office in Quezon City at 9:30 a.m. Friday.

He was welcomed by Secretary Jose Atienza Jr. during a brief visit to the DENR before proceeding to a hero's motorcade in Metro Manila.

When asked if he will pursue his candidacy in 2010, Pacquiao said he will definitely push through.

"Yes, definitely (I will run)," he said.

However, he was reluctant to say that he will still run for congressman of Saranggani Province. (With reports from Ronniel de Guzman and Ellalyn de Vera)

Manila Bulletin/Yahoo

Roach: Sign the contract, Floyd!

2009-11-21T00:53:00.000-08:00

It has only been four days since the biggest fight of the year, “Firepower,” took place between seven-time world champion Manny Pacquiao and Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto.

But Floyd Mayweather, Jr., the fighter everyone is clamoring for to be Pacquiao’s next opponent, has already thrown the first blow on Team Pacquiao.

In an interview with Sky Sports, the former pound-for-pound king called out the current pound-for-pound king Pacquiao.

“The thing is with Pacquiao I don't see any versatility as a fighter; he's a good puncher but just one-dimensional... If he wants to fight Floyd Mayweather, all he has to do is step up to the plate,” he said.

Pacquiao’s American trainer, Freddie Roach, seemed perturbed about Mayweather’s latest statement about his protégé.

“Sign the contract, Floyd. Don’t be a %$#@^,” declared Roach.

He even revealed that he already knows how to teach Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38 knockouts) in order to beat the undefeated Mayweather (40-0, 25 KOs).

Tough negotiations

Despite the fact that fight fans want to see a Pacquiao-Mayweather bout, Pacquiao’s promoter, Bob Arum, and Roach said they expect a tough negotiations with Mayweather.

Mayweather believes he is the attraction and deserves more money, but Roach pointed out the fact that Pacquiao has all the leverage in the match.

Roach also said his ward’s boxing style brings in the viewers. The pay-per-view numbers are not yet in for “Firepower” but Roach is expecting over 1.5 million buys.

And if Mayweather does not come to the table, Roach said Pacquiao has other options.

“The winner of [Shane] Mosley and [Andre] Berto would be a good fight. [Juan Manuel] Marquez is out there. He wants a rematch. We have options if Floyd doesn't want to come to the table and negotiate we'll go somewhere else,” he stated.

He also responded to Mayweather’s statement about him after the fight: “Well Floyd said afterwards that if I didn't have Pacquiao, I'd be a %$#@^ trainer. Floyd, go %$#@^ yourself, that's all I have to say to him, and his dysfunctional family.”

source - ABS-CBN/Yahoo

Pacquiao vs. Mayweather: Make it happen!

2009-11-18T18:45:00.000-08:00

It is hard to believe that this man has actually lost a fight. Three of them, to be precise.

Click here to see photos of the fight

Manny Pacquiao looks like the perfect fighting machine. Maybe not perfect in presentation, but perfect in performance. The Fury from the Philippines appears impossible to beat.

Pacquiao won his 50th prizefight Saturday, dominating the rugged Miguel Cotto before finally stopping the WBO welterweight champion in the 12th round at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. In the process, Pacquiao won a world title in a record seven weight classes.

The first three rounds were competitive, but then Pacquiao settled into his unique rhythm and took Cotto on a violent dance that left the Puerto Rican champ bewildered. Pac Man attacked from every imaginable angle and delivered punches in rapid succession.

He fights in a manner that cannot be taught. Nor would you want to learn it.

Trainer Freddie Roach has certainly enhanced his ability, but Pacquiao's style is all his own. His angles, his speed, and, yes, his power puts unbearable pressure on opponents. He makes you fight and fight and fight.

The unequivocal evidence of Pacquiao's combative excellence was witnessing the typically rugged, brawling Cotto reduced to a flitting, fleeing fighter hoping merely to survive. He didn't. Pacquiao's pressure was that suffocating. He beat the fight out of him.

Pac Man’s win sets up a potential showdown against the unbeaten Floyd Mayweather Jr. It could wind up being the largest grossing fight -- in any division -- of all time.

"The only fight that should be made is Mayweather-Pacquiao," HBO Sports president Ross Greenburg told Newsday in an email early Sunday from Las Vegas. "It's too important for the future of the sport."

>>VIDEO: Click here to watch Pacquiao and locals discuss fight

Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38 knockouts), sidestepped all questions about a showdown with Mayweather after the fight. Promoter Bob Arum has been skeptical that Mayweather will accept such a dangerous fight but it is indeed the only fight in boxing that matters. "The whole world wants to see him fight Mayweather,” Roach said after the fight. “I want Mayweather."

The idea of a Pacquiao-Mayweather fight actually predates Pac Man's meeting against Cotto. When Arum announced the Pacquiao-Cotto fight at a Yankee Stadium press conference, Lonn Trost, COO of the Yankees, told Arum he wanted to host the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight at the Stadium.

It will be up to Mayweather to agree to the fight. Anyone think those negotiations will go smoothly? Forget for a second about the fight itself. Just think about the 24/7 episodes leading up to it.

Mayweather has never lost as a pro (40-0, 21 knockouts) and has captured titles in five weight classes. When he retired after beating Oscar de la Hoya, he was considered the best pound-for-pound fighter in the sport. Even though “Pretty Boy” Floyd has returned to boxing, that title now belongs to Pacquiao.

[Just a side note here, and I am not trying to kill anyone's buzz. But if Manny Pacquiao were an American athlete and he got bigger, stronger and better as he aged -- kind of like say, Barry Bonds or Roger Clemens -- would we be looking at him a little differently? The good news is, boxing, especially in Las Vegas, has been testing for steroids for about a decade. It's mandatory after every title fight. Now back to the business at hand.]

The last time Pacquiao lost was a unanimous decision to Erik Morales in 2005. He avenged that defeat twice and has won 11 straight bouts, including eight by knockout. But those numbers take on a deeper meaning when you look at the fighters he defeated: Morales, Jorge Solis, Marco Antonio Barrera, Juan Manuel Marquez, David Diaz, Oscar de la Hoya, Ricky Hatton and now Cotto.

Four of those fighters -- Morales, Barrera, Marquez and de la Hoya -- are future hall-of-famers. But perhaps even more impressive are the knockouts of Diaz, de la Hoya, Hatton and Cotto came at weights that appeared to be above Pacquiao's comfort range of 126 to 130 pounds.

"Manny's one of the best I've ever seen," said Greenburg. "His speed and strength is unparalleled. He's a fighter who loves to put on the finishing touch. A true warrior. He's great for this business."

And the business of boxing dictates a fight with Mayweather next, whether Floyd likes it or not.

Speed defines Pacquiao victory over Cotto

2009-11-18T18:27:00.000-08:00

In Stephen Chow's 2005 iconic laugh-a-minute, action-comedy movie "Kung Fu Hustle", the contravida known as The Beast, says: "In the world of kung fu, speed defines the winner."

Manny Pacquiao and coach Freddie Roach must have seen that movie and taken to heart that quote. And in Manny's fight versus Miguel Cotto last Saturday, his speed defined his victory.

Manny's speed belies the fact that he was fighting at his heaviest ever. Manny started fighting at 106 pounds and won world titles at 112, 122, 126, 130, 135, and 140. This latest at 145 is his seventh.

Throughout, he maintained his speed and further amplified his power.

Cotto was supposed to be the more powerful of the two, being naturally bigger and used to fighting at 147 lbs. Experts said Pacquiao would not stand a chance against Cotto's vaunted left hook to the body. Cotto has demonstrated this powerful weapon against opponents bigger than Manny. Pundits said that if Cotto tagged Pacquiao, it would be lights out for the Pambansang Kamao.

If. A big if.

Manny's speed made sure that would not happen. And Manny's speed worked both ways.

First, it prevented Cotto from tagging him. He looked like Peter Parker coolly dodging the punches of the school bully in Spider-Man. The bigger Cotto had a hard time hitting his smaller, quicker target. Those times that Manny got hit, it was intentional as the Pacman wanted to find out just how strong Cotto's punches were.

"Our plan was not to hurry but to take our time," a beaming Pacquiao said in a ringside television interview after the fight.

"We didn't panic. We just needed time to test his power," Pacquiao said.

Second, Manny was not just a target, but a target that was hitting back faster and more powerful than the supposedly power-punching Cotto.

The stats showed it too.

The 30-year-old Pacman dominated the official ringside statistics, connecting with 336 of 780 punches thrown to 172 of 597 for Cotto. He also landed 276 power punches compared to Cotto's 93.

Pacquiao's combination of speed and power dealt head blows to Cotto so fast the Baricuan bomber was quoted after the fight: "I didn't know from where the punches were coming."

Ricky Hatton, who was knocked out by the Pacman in the 2nd round in their light welterweight match in May, also said the same thing.

"Manny dictated the fight and they should have stopped it three rounds sooner than they did after he (Cotto) began to run," Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach said.

Cotto, who suffered a cut above the right eye and had his nose bloodied after being repeatedly battered by Pacquiao's jabs and punches, said: "Manny is one of the best boxers I ever fought."

It wasn't like Manny's speed was a secret weapon. In fact Manny is known for his speed. In preparing for the fight, Cotto's trainer Joe Santiago was aware of it. But perhaps, unless you actually get into the ring with Manny, you wouldn't know how fast he really is.

In an interview a week before the fight, Santiago was confident Cotto could deal with the Pacman's speed.

“I think that Miguel has shown everybody that he can deal with speed, with (Shane) Mosley and with Zab Judah," said Santiago. “I don’t think it is a problem with speed. I think the rhythm that Manny brings to the fight, I don’t think people think Miguel can stay with that speed. But I think he will. I not only think he can stay with the rhythm but I think he will enjoy fighting that kind of fight. I think it will be a very interesting fight and I think Miguel will come out victorious in the fight by just doing what he always does, coming forward, throwing punches and being strong."

We all know that didn't work out.

After the fourth round, Cotto was not coming forward but rather back-pedaling all the way to a 12th round TKO loss.

In Manny's boxing world, his speed defines his legacy. - GMANews.TV

Negotiations start for Pacquiao-Mayweather fight

2009-11-17T18:37:00.000-08:00

After a tremendous fight with Cotto, The Negotiations start for Pacquiao-Mayweather fight. Manny Pacquiao defeated Miguel Cotto in a rnd 12 KO last November 14 in Las Vegas. Now, The mega fight of Pacquiao and Mayweather soon to be realized as the two camps are starting the negotiation. Let the fight begin! Watch Pacquiao vs Mayweather Live Stream.

Negotiations start for Pacquiao-Mayweather fight
This page requires a higher version browser
For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV

Pacquiao's only option is to fight Mayweather Jr.

2009-11-17T18:34:00.000-08:00

OLLYWOOD – Manny Pacquiao was vocal enough to say he no longer wants to have anything to do with former champion Juan Manuel Marquez finally closing the possibility of a third fight between him and his long-time Mexican nemesis.

“Walang manood diyan kapag si Marquez ang kalaban. Sinong manood pa diyan?" Pacquiao said emphatically turning down a fight against the same man who forced him to a controversial draw, which he later defeated by split decision in a big-time rematch.

With Marquez literally out of Pacquiao’s picture, the newly-crowned seven-division champion is left with no choice but to face Floyd Mayweather Jr. in what many perceive as one of the biggest matches ever in boxing history.

Pacquiao said he wants to relax first and enjoy some time with his family after winning a 12-round battle against Miguel Cotto in their welterweight title bout Saturday (Sunday in Manila) at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

The world’s top pound-for-pound fighter won the match behind a one-sided 12-round stoppage.

The General Santos City native added he won’t make any plans until December and is leaving it all up to Top Rank boss Bob Arum as to who will be his next opponent.

But obviously, the fans want a Pacquiao-Mayweather showdown.

“The public says we want that fight to happen, the way they clamored for the Leonard-Hearns fight," said Hall of Fame trainer Emmanuel Steward.

“It’s going to be an intriguing fight because Floyd is a technical fighter. He knows how to break back and box a little," he said of Mayweather’s fighting stance opposite to Pacquiao’s relentless and gung-ho style.

Steward, an analyst with HBO boxing who trained some of the world’s former champions including Hearns, is sure the mega-bout will be made. “As to when and who could earn more in terms of money, I think it should be 50-50."

Mayweather, the former world pound-for-pound king who’s on the comeback trail, has vocally said he won’t agree on such an even share in terms of prize money.

But Steward said Pacquiao has all the rights to an equal sharing especially now that he’s proven to be boxing’s biggest attraction following his big win against another quality fighter in Cotto.

“I think Manny has earned his position as an attraction, and to me, not just pound-for-pound champion today, but he is one of the all-time greatest," said the long-time trainer who owned the famous Kronx gym.

HBO president Ross Greenberg, however, announced during the post-fight press conference of the Pacquiao-Cotto duel that boxing people, especially Arum and Golden Boy Promotions’ Richard Schaefer, are trying all means to make the fight between the Filipino boxing icon and Mayweather possible.

Schaefer’s involvement came upon after Mayweather Promotions tied up with Golden Boy in putting up the Mayweather-Marquez encounter last September, a non-title match that proved to be a big draw, earning more than a million in Pay-Per-View hits.

“He (Schaefer) plans to come in and meet with Bob next week to make the Mayweather fight. So I think you can all hope and pray that a fight of that magnitude and importance to the sport of boxing can truly be made because it is time to capitalize on all the hard work that was done over the last three months and we can look forward to one of the biggest events in boxing history."

“Let’s see what happens. Stay tune," said Greenberg.

Source – GMANews.TV

Manny Pacquiao vs Miguel Cotto Live

2009-11-08T10:33:00.000-08:00

Manny Pacquiao vs Miguel Cotto is the much awaited fight of the year! “FirePower” Pacquiao vs. Cotto will take place at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada on November 14, 2009.

Boxing analyst talks about their prediction in Pacquiao and Cotto fight. Every angle detailed by detailed were being discuss by the experts. Some advantages of both fighters, Pacquiao and Cotto is the headline of their topic. Coaches also of both fighter have their own prediction also. For Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach said that they will end the fight by 9th round TKO. Well for the other party they keep silent and do their strategy. Ok guys stay tuned for more updates.

Coach Freddie Roach predicts, Manny will knock out Cotto on the 9th round but some boxing analysts says, Manny will have a hard time to beat Cotto. This match is a pay-per-view (ppv) event and I know a lot of fans wants to watch this fight for free via online live streaming. So how and where you can watch Pacquiao vs Cotto live stream? There are many video streaming websites such as Justin Tv and Ustream TV. These website are the perfect place to watch Cotto vs Pacquiao live streaming on your PC. You can also watch Pacquiao vs Cotto online on sopcast channel. I will also provide a live video stream of the fight on November 14th.

Manny Pacquiao destroys Ricky Hatton

2009-05-03T02:38:00.000-07:00

Manny Pacquiao destroys Ricky Hatton in round no.2. Watch Pacquiao vs Hatton replay video on the following link: Watch Pacquiao vs Hatton Fight Full Replay Video

Here is the full story from : telegraph.co.uk

The brutal end to Ricky Hatton’s dream of defeating Manny Pacquiao came with the British fighter in hospital here in Sin City, after he was floored three times by devastating power punches.

he last of the three knockdowns left Hatton listless on the canvas.
There will be some serious thinking about Hatton’s future after what had been a far-reaching build-up to this contest.

Only Freddie Roach, Pacquiao’s astute trainer, had predicted the outcome, having said that his charge would “stop Ricky Hatton in the first three rounds”. His man went one better than that.

Roach said he had studied Hatton fight tapes for two months. “Ricky is wide open for the right because he goes back before he throws. He fights the same way over and over again. I’ve studied all of Ricky’s tapes for over two months. I knew him as well as my own fighter.”

Roach was not wrong. Hatton was floored in the final minute of the round by a Pacquiao right hook.

The scene was set with a thrilling atmosphere. Attended by 16,262 spectators, the MGM Grand Garden Arena was sold out, bringing a gate of $8.85 million. And the expectation was finally sated. A huge entourage enjoyed Pacquiao's success in the United States, with the now ubiquitous presence on these occasions celebrity A-listers, including Russell Brand, Jack Nicholson, Mariah Carey, Jay-Z, and even Oscar De La Hoya in a Ricky Hatton mask.
Tom Jones sang "God Save the Queen." News from dressing rooms of both fighters revealed that Pacquiao had eventually weighed 148lbs, with Hatton 152lbs.

Hatton, whose record now stands at 45-2, had been poker-faced as he entered the ring while Pacquiao, now 49-3-2 (37 KOs), walked into the arena with a wide grin on his face, before reaching his corner and kneeling to pray. It was ominous.

Pacquiao might have smiled even more as he took his stool after a first round in which he had launched an all-out assault midway into the stanza, twice sending the Englishman to the canvas.

Hatton had started brightly, Pacquiao seemingly getting into the fight slowly, landing his jab as he had planned to do, but in the final minute of the round, a rapid right hook caught Hatton on the chin and sent him to the canvas.

Hatton took the count from referee Kenny Bayliss on one knee, but was soon in trouble again, as a straight left floored him in front of his corner. Hatton’s confusion was only saved by the bell.

After the minute’s respite, Hatton looked composed again for the second round, beginning it with some success and vim, knocking Pacquiao back, but was then warned by Bayliss not to hold and hit. Hatton was attempting to turn the contest into a roughhouse brawl, which at first unsettled Pacquiao.

The Filipino backed off, ducked out of exchanges, landing on Hatton with two left hooks. Yet, as the round ended, Pacquiao ended all thoughts of Hatton coming back with a punch of clinical brutality, a crunching left hook, which at first, drained the arena of energy and stunned Hatton's travelling army, before Pacquiao’s fans burst into shouts of celebration.

There was one second left in the round. It was as definitive a finish as could have been imagined. Pity Hatton. For he will see this knockout time and again as it gets replayed on KO reels. It was one of those that takes the breath away.
"In the first round, I expected my right hook was going to be dangerous for him because he's open when he's coming towards me," Pacquiao said. "He was very surprised because I have a new right hook."

It was, however, Pacquiao's trademark left hook that eventually felled Hatton, and there was initial concern as Hatton lay flattened in the centre of the ring.
Pacquiao gave his post-fight interview with medical treatment still being offered to Hatton. "I'm always doing my job in the ring, doing my best to make people happy," he said. "It's nothing personal for me, I'm just doing my job."
Roach added: “They say I’m the best trainer in the world. That’s only because I’ve got the best fighter in the world training with me. Manny is incredible. He just gets better and better, and when we prepare for fights now, we discuss how we will beat his opponents, and we also work on what is comfortable for him, too.”

Earlier yesterday morning, Floyd Mayweather Jr had announced he would be returning from retirement to take on Juan Manuel Marquez in July. If he had waited a few hours longer, he could have potentially mentioned that he would fight Pacquiao.

After seeing his destruction of Hatton, Mayweather may not be keen on a contest with the Filipino fighter. Yet Pacquiao-Mayweather could be a barnstormer of a promotion.
Hatton, who was taken to hospital immediately afterwards, on precautionary grounds, said: “I really didn’t see the punch coming, but I’ll be OK. It’s a hard loss but I’m OK.”

Hatton, when his head clears, will have some serious, serious thinking to do. The prospect of retirement will be pushed towards him, and only he will know whether it is time.

On this showing, it looks like that time may have come, as his dreams of beating the world’s No 1 pound for pound fighter were like the sands being blown away in the Mojave desert. Let’s hope Hatton is not too brave for his own good.