PACQUAIO CLOBBERS HATTON TO REAFFIRM ‘POUND FOR POUND’ SUPREMACY

Manny Pacquaio entered Saturday night’s fight against Ricky Hatton as a -235 wagering favorite, and most boxing pundits expected ‘Pac Man’ to eventually prevail.  Few expected that he’d do so as easily, quickly and in such dominant fashion as he did.  Before a sold out crowd at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena, Pacquaio knocked Hatton down twice in the first round en route to a stunning second round TKO victory over the tough British fan favorite.

Pending the return of Floyd Mayweather, Jr. to ring action, Pacquaio clearly demonstrated that for now the debate over boxing’s ‘pound for pound’ best fighter begins and ends with him.  Hatton tried to implement his gameplan of bullying the naturally smaller Pacquaio, only to have his opponent easily evade and counterpunch.  It was a flurry of counterpunches punctuated by a wicked right hook to the head that sent Hatton to the canvas late in the first round, and another flurry set up off the counter sent him down again just before the bell.

Pacquaio’s workrate slowed in the second round as he tried to set up Hatton for a big punch.  He finally got the opportunity near the end of the frame, nailing Hatton with a perfectly placed left cross that floored him for good.   Referee Kenny Bayless waved off the fight at 2:59 of round #2, after which the veteran official noted:

“I didn't have to count.”

Hatton lay motionless on the floor for awhile after the KO as he was examined by the medical staff, but eventually left the ring under his own power.  He was taken to a local hospital for a precautionary brain scan, but otherwise appeared no worse for wear.   His only immediate comment:

"It was a hard loss but I'm OK. I really didn't see the punch coming but it was a great shot. I know I'll be OK."

Pacquaio landed 73 of his 127 punches over two rounds, and was surprised that he had so little trouble finding a home for his punishing right hook:

"I'm surprised the fight was so easy. He was wide open for the right hook. I knew he would be looking for my left.  I was just doing my job. I always try to do my best in the ring."

One man who wasn’t surprised at the outcome or the ease of victory was Pacquaio’s trainer, Freddy Roach who said it went down just like he drew it up in the gym:

"The fight was no surprise to me. We know he always pumps his hands before he throws a punch. He's a sucker for the right hook."

The bout was only Pacquaio’s third fight over 130 pounds, but he’s made the step up in weight look easy.  The victory will only enhance his already rock-star like popularity in his native Philippines—he’s so well liked there that there’s talk of him running for President after his fighting career is over.