LAS VEGAS – In the dressing room shortly after halting Ricky Hatton, newly crowned IBO lightwelterweight champion Manny Pacquiao revealed the secret weapon that delivered the victory here Saturday night.
“It was the right hook,” said Pacquiao. “We worked on it in the gym because we knew Hatton wouldn’t be able to defend it. We prepared hard for this fight. Hatton’s a tough fighter but for over two months, we studied his moves very carefully on tape. We predicted what he would do and we came out with a plan to counter every move.”
Pacquiao said he wouldn’t have finished off Hatton if not for the power of the Holy Spirit.
“Everything comes from God,” he said. “I owe everything to God. He gives me strength. With God on your side, anything is possible. You can do things you thought you could only dream about.”
Pacquiao said when Hatton got up from the canvas, he extended his hand.
“I thanked Ricky for giving me the opportunity to fight him because he put his championship at stake,” said Pacquiao. “I told him it’s nothing personal, that I just had to do my job, like he has to do his. I’m only a boxer so this is my job.”
Pacquiao said he wanted to end it early because he didn’t want Hatton to set up.
“He’s a hard puncher and I felt his power,” said Pacquiao. “Freddie (Roach) and Buboy (Fernandez) wanted me to go to the body. That was the plan. But when his defense opened up, I took advantage. I saw his defense go towards my right because I dropped him with a right hook and that gave me the opening to throw my left hook. I was never afraid of him. But I knew I had to be careful because he’s a great champion.”
Pacquiao said what drives him is the inspiration of fighting for his country. “I go out there to do my best so that our people can be proud to be Filipino, so they can be happy and united,” he said.
As soon as Pacquiao entered the dressing room, Fr. Marlon Beof – who officiated the Holy Mass that morning in a Mandalay Bay conference room – thanked the Lord in prayer. Those in the dressing room held out their hands to touch Manny’s bowed head as Fr. Beof gave thanks to God for the victory. His wife Jinkee gave him a buss on the lips.
Then, Pacquiao went to a private room for the mandatory drug test administered by representatives of the Nevada State Athletic Commission. After the test, he took a quick shower and emerged wearing a dark coat and a long-sleeved shirt. Pacquiao said he was ready to party and sing the night away.
Hollywood actors Denzel Washington and Stephen Baldwin dropped in to congratulate Pacquiao. Wrestling superstar Batista, who marched into the ring with Pacquiao, was in the dressing room, too, to celebrate Pacquiao’s win. Others in the room were Solar chief operating officer Peter Chanliong, former Ilocos Sur Gov. Chavit Singson, Energy Secretary Lito Atienza, Rep. Monico Puentevella, Bacolod City Mayor Bing Leonardia and RPN-9 chairman Tonypet Albano.
Asked what lies ahead, Pacquiao said he’s not challenging any fighter.
“Let them challenge me,” he said. “I’m ready for anyone.”
Pacquiao is scheduled to attend the June 13 bout between WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto and Joshua Clottey at the Madison Square Garden in New York City and Top Rank chairman Bob Arum said it’s a scouting mission to size up the Puerto Rican titlist who could be his next opponent.