Roach approach: Pacquiao going for Hatton's fragile chin

MANILA, Philippines - Manny Pacquiao will give it to Ricky Hatton flush on the chin.

That’s what trainer Freddie Roach wants. That’s what Pacquiao is going to do.

“We’re going after his chin. That’s the money shot,” said Roach as Pacquiao trained vigorously for his May 2 title fight against the British superstar at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Pacquiao sparred last Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday in Los Angeles, knocking out and busting the eye of an undefeated Armenian boxer on the first day of sparring at the Wild Card Gym.

In training for the Oscar dela Hoya last December, Pacquiao went for the body, forcing Roach to wear a three-inch thick body armor so his boxer won’t hold back on his punches.

Roach still wears the armor but said they’re focusing more on the head. They must have found a crack on Hatton’s chin, and they’re going for in a bid to put him out early on.

The other day, Pacquiao settled the issue regarding his local television rights, hopefully putting to rest a bitter struggle with ABS-CBN in one corner and Solar Sports/GMA-7 in the other.

Pacquiao chose to stick it out with Solar Sports/GMA-7 because of a valid, binding contract, which he tried to rescind last Wednesday in favor of ABS-CBN, his old media partner.

Pacquiao said it was a case of miscommunication between him and Solar Sports, and now that it’s over and done with, he said he could focus on the last five or six weeks of training.

Even Malacañang, the country’s seat of power, expressed relief that the off-ring controversy involving television networks has been cleared less than a week after it erupted.

“We Filipinos are all fans of Pacquiao. He has given much honor to the country. He has become a unifying factor. I am glad our friend has settled the matter with Solar Sports,” said Press Secretary Cerge Remonde.

President Arroyo and husband Mike Arroyo are avid Pacquiao fans.

In a statement released to the media, ABS-CBN said it respects Pacquiao’s decision to stick it out with Solar Sports, but hoped that they hear it straight from the boxer.

“Manny Pacquiao approached ABS-CBN to be his media partner in airing his next fights. We thank him for trusting us. He signed a contract with us, but we will not stand in the way if he decides to change his mind.

“We respect it, wish him good luck and we wait to hear from him,” said ABS-CBN, stressing that Pacquiao had decided to rescind his contract with Solar before they were approached by the boxer.