Experts go for Manny in Vegas title fight

MANILA, Philippines - A poll of 48 boxing experts has confirmed the validity of the 3-1 odds that bookmakers set in picking Manny Pacquiao to win over Ricky Hatton in their IBO lightwelterweight title fight in Las Vegas this weekend.

Ring Magazine, which is owned by Oscar de la Hoya, and the London magazine Boxing Monthly recently conducted a survey of fight cognoscenti to try to arrive at a consensus on the outcome of the much-awaited bout.

Overall, the count was 31 for Pacquiao and 17 for Hatton with 65 percent of the votes going to the Filipino. Of the 31 who chose Pacquiao, 15 said he would win by knockout, six by decision and 10 either way. Of the 17 who picked Hatton, eight predicted the Hitman from Manchester would score a stoppage, five saw a win on points and four either way.

In separate tallies, Ring Magazine showed a 17-3 advantage for Pacquiao and Boxing Monthly had it dead even at 14-14.

Three fighters who lost to Hatton came out strong for Pacquiao. Juan Lazcano, whom Hatton outpointed six months after losing to Floyd Mayweather, Jr., said Pacquiao will pick the Briton apart.

“Hatton has Floyd Mayweather Sr. in his corner – that might make some difference but I don’t think it will make that big of a difference,” said Lazcano. “Hatton has to swarm and be aggressive and make the fight. Hatton will bring it to Pacquiao and Pacquiao is too swift, even for Hatton. Manny will stop him late or win a convincing decision.”

Former WBA welterweight champion Luis Collazo, a southpaw like Pacquiao, said Hatton will go down in the late rounds.

“I’m going with Pacman,” said Collazo. “He’s a smaller fighter and brings everything else to the table. He throws punches in bunches and he’s a smart fighter. I think he can dominate Hatton because Hatton doesn’t deal with boxers very well. I don’t think Ricky has been the same since he fought me. Lazcano hurt him and I think Manny can definitely hurt him. I see a late stoppage for Pacquiao.”

Paul Malignaggi, who was stopped by Hatton in the 11th round last November, also chose Pacquiao. “I have a lot of respect for Hatton and his family and friends but what it boils down to is Pacquiao’s speed,” said Malignaggi. “It’s phenomenal. He has an ability to move in and out and force Hatton to hold, just to slow down the guy and have him stop punching and moving. I don’t know if Hatton can slow down Pacquiao. Pacquiao is Bruce Lee, changing the punching distance so fast. I’ll be pulling for Ricky but if I had to pick, it’s Manny Pacquiao winning.”

Recent Manila visitor David Diaz, whom Pacquiao dethroned as WBC lightweight titlist last year, said the Filipino will win by knockout. Top Rank chairman Bob Arum recently said Hatton will fall, face first, like Diaz did when Pacquiao connects.

“Manny showed great boxing ability against Oscar,” said Diaz. “I’m usually wrong but I feel pretty good about this one. Hatton won’t be able to outbox Pacquiao. Pacquiao can definitely hurt you and that’s the other thing where I give Pacman the nod because Hatton comes rushing right in and Manny can catch him. I see a stoppage for Pacman.”

Others who chose Pacquiao in the Ring Magazine poll included TV broadcaster Al Bernstein (who was in Manila to cover the recent “Flash and the Furious” card), London-based Boxing News editor Claude Abrams and Japanese boxing Hall of Famer Joe Koizumi.

The Boxing Monthly survey had it 50-50 as all the respondents were British.

Croydon’s Duke McKenzie, who won the IBF flyweight title from Filipino Rolando Bohol in 1988, said Hatton is too big and too strong for Pacquiao. “Because of their styles, it’ll be a real good fight but I can only see one winner, Hatton,” said McKenzie, now a TV commentator. “First and foremost, Pac’s only a lightweight. Forget the welter thing, you’d not put him in with a Cotto or Margarito. De la Hoya was absolutely dead at the weight. Last time, Hatton put two fingers up to everyone who ever doubted him. That was world class and his confidence must be sky high. No one works harder in the gym. Pacquiao will take it to him which will suit. Pacquiao’s a warrior so it’ll go to points but Ricky will be too big and strong.”