Tatalunin ni Pacquiao si Hatton

MANILA, Philippines - Kahit na kababayan niya si Ricky Hatton ay naniniwala pa rin si British veteran boxing writer Colin Hart na si Filipino boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao pa rin ang tatanghaling panalo sa kanilang banggaan sa Mayo 2.

Sinabi ni Hart, kilala bilang “Voice of Boxing” sa United Kingdom, sa panayam ng The Sun na tuluyan nang masesemento ng 30-anyos na si Pacquiao ang kanyang pangalan sa kasaysayan ng boxing sa pamamagitan ng panalo kay Hatton. 

 ”This is the biggest fight of the year so far,” ani Hart. “There are many boxing cliches and one of the biggest is that styles make fights. These two have got the styles to make it a war from beginning to end. But Pacquiao is not just an icon -- he is a national treasure back in the Philippines.”

 Hangad ng Filipino four-world division champion ang kanyang pang limang boxing crown matapos magkampeon sa flyweight, super bantamweight, super featherweight at lightweight divisions. 

Kumpiyansa si Hart na ang mabilis na mga kamay ni Pacquiao ang magbibigay ng panalo sa tubong General Santos City laban sa pambato ng Manchester, England na si Hatton.

  “This fight will be decided on speed. Pacquiao has got extremely fast hands, he’s faster than Hatton, and at 140lbs he will be too quick for Hatton. It’ll be a fascinating fight and a very close one,” wika ni Hart. “But Pacquiao will assert himself after the halfway stage -- as he did against Oscar De La Hoya.”

 Kung magiging sandata ni “Pacman” ang kanyang mabibilis na kamay, tiyak na ang pagbagsak ni “Hitman” alinman sa round nine o ten, dagdag ng beteranong boxing writer.

“Unfortunately for Hatton’s fans who went to America with high hopes when he fought Floyd Mayweather, Jr. I think they’re going to be disappointed again. I wouldn’t be surprised if Pacquiao stops Ricky in the later rounds, maybe nine or 10,” ani Hart.

Nakatakda ang banggaan nina Pacquiao at Hatton sa MGM Grand Garden Arena sa Las Vegas, Nevada. (Russell Cadayona)