'Hatton body shots will hurt Pacman'

LAS VEGAS – It’s no secret that Ricky Hatton is going for the body.

One of his trainers, Lee Beard, even told Filipino scribes how they intend to knock Manny Pacquiao out with solid body shots.

“I know for a fact if Ricky hits Manny on the body he’ll go down. There’s no denying that. If Ricky hits him in the ribcage, Manny’s gonna hit the floor. If Ricky lands that he’s gonna feel it,” said Beard.

“Go to youtube and you’ll see that when Ricky hits, he hits. The same with Manny. When he hits, he hits. That’s why I don’t see this going 12 rounds. When Ricky hurts Manny he’s gonna go knock him out. If he smells blood he’ll be on you... if he hits Manny to the body... anywhere in the body.

Hatton, according to his assistant trainer, has this special ability to dig deep into the body using his famous left hook.

And no matter how Pacquiao tries to cover up, Hatton will always find the opening to deliver the telling blows.

“He’s got the ability to find the angles, around the back of the elbows, the solar plexus. He’s got real good eyes and he places his punches. And if he gets hit in the right place he’ll go down.

“It’s not how hard it is but where you place it. He’s a phenomenal body puncher. He will find that gap at the back of the elbows,” said Beard of their game plan. – Abac Cordero