Hatton-Pacquiao back on?

Reports claim Pacman has now agreed to May 2 bout

Last updated: 23rd January 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Hatton-Pacquiao back on?

Hatton: Fight with Pacquiao back on

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Ricky Hatton's mega-money showdown with Manny Pacquiao looks like it is back on just 24 hours after the fight was called off.

Plans for the bout between the Hitman and the man regarded the best pound-for-pound fighter looked to have collapsed after Pacquiao went back on an initial agreement to split the purse 50:50.

However, reports are claiming that Pacquiao has now agreed a 52:48 split of the purse and a guaranteed $12million.

Pacman's promoter Bob Arum confirmed on Thursday night that terms for the fight had now been agreed.

Announcement

"Manny has assured me he's signed the contract, that he's announcing to the Philippines press that he's signed it, and that everything's done," Arum told the LA Times.

Arum and an attorney from his Top Rank promotional team will review the contract on Friday before forwarding it on to Golden Boy Promotions, who are representing Hatton.

But Hatton's lawyer Gareth Williams remains sceptical, saying that he will believe the contract has been signed when he has it in his hands.

"Bob Arum has been telling me for three weeks there isn't a problem," he said. "The story I'm getting is he's spoken to Manny and there isn't a problem and he's going to get the contract signed.

"I'm not hearing anything different to what I was being told three weeks ago.

"I'm just not going to get excited about it, I'll just wait and see as and when this contract arrives.

"As and when I get the contract then I'll do something about it. It's positive but we'll have to wait and see, won't we."

The Manchester fighter had opened negotiations with Floyd Mayweather Jnr and Oscar De La Hoya following reports the May 2 clash with Pacquiao was off.

Hatton was also offered the chance to fight the winner of the IBO lightweight showdown between Juan Diaz and Juan Manuel Marquez.

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Comments (35)

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Gus Burke says...

Can't wait for the 2nd May, surely to be the fight of the year. Hatton at 140lb never been beaten. Pacquiao, champion at several weights been involved with legends, barrea, Morales etc. If I had to say who was going to win I've have to go for the Pac-Man, just think he'll be the better fighter on the night and be to find Hatton all night. Don't completely agree with comments ref in Mayweather fight was sole cause of deteat. Ricky was able to get close but couldn't get through tight defence of PBF. With regard Malinaggi no disrepect but my mom could have taken his jabs all night.. Hatton has a style mot fighters have not been able to deal with, however Pac-man has been there done that, so I'm not sure why people think Hatton will be something new. Hatton is a good fighter who has got far with limited tools. He's now about to meet one of the most complete fighters on the planet! Should be a classic.

Posted 23:24 27th January 2009

James marnane says...

Why are so many people saying and thinking Hatton's going to lose when you frights Pacman. De La Hoya was terrible and made Pacman look better then he was on the night, not saying Pacman isn't the best pound for pound. But frighting Hatton at Hatton's weight is a different story all together, this is where Hatton is THE BEST and ppl forget how HARD Hatton hits. Pacman frights abit like Hatton by always coming forward, so he's going to TRY and fright Hattons fright, YOU CAN'T DO THAT WITH HATTON, even Mayweather new that and stayed far away from Hatton has he could, Pacman won't do that and WILL come forward again YOU CAN'T DO THAT WITH HATTON. No one can take a punch like Hatton and most can't give one like him either its not going to be easy but I say Hatton will win by KO in like the 9th or 10 round. They's all one Ricky Hatton COME ON HATTON !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted 16:11 27th January 2009

Ben Angell says...

In my opinion, Hatton will not be able to live with Pacman, he shows too much energy and speed in his punches and movement. I dont even think it will go the distance, but I am glad the fight is back on just for the entertainment purposes.

Posted 10:17 27th January 2009

M Field says...

Heyy, The fight is happening! alrighty then. I luv this match up. i like Ricky as a person being a funny guy and all, but Manny is so much better at boxing. This is definitely going to be explosive! I just don't see Hatton beating Manny. First, Manny, this bloke has an unusual technique that most of the fighters he's fought couldn't figure out. That is probably why he is known as the most exciting fighter because us fans will always see him adapting to his opponents styles and destroying them, but his opponents can't figure him out and i think the same will happen to Ricky. I see Ricky getting hit with right jabs as he moves towards Manny. I see Ricky getting hit with massive lefts on the right side of his face because he drops his right hand a lot. I wasn't impressed with the Malignaggi fight, i expected better. Pauli hardly threw punches and when he did throw them it was one hand..his jabs. Hatton was still trying to adapt to Mayweather Sr's style of boxing; confusing and slowing down Ricky, but i think the old Ricky would've finished Pauli way sooner maybe 7th rd. It's going to happen to Ricky against Manny. Ricky will have to decide if he can keep up pretending to fight like what Mayweather wants him to or go back to the way he was, a killer brawler, but i think that he'll be in the middle of all that. He'll have mixed up styles, which will slow him down allowing Manny to hit him with combos and will eventually BE HIS DOWNFALL. So, if Ricky can have one style of fighting instead of trying to adapt new ways, he might be more comfortable fighting especially now that the brawler tactics of his would match Manny's aggresive style. Can't wait to see this fight.

Posted 06:30 27th January 2009

Dennis L says...

hatton can beat cotto, margarito, mosley, DLH and pacquiao, he is the best of the best, hell, he can beat mayweather jr. if he comes out of retirement or he can challenge calsaghe as well., good luck pacquiao, your in trouble, cmon hatton.

Posted 21:43 26th January 2009

Stuart Crumpen says...

Richard Dean has got it spot on, the pacman will not be able to handle hattons inside fighting, and i also agree had the ref not go so much involved against mayweather, it would have been a completly different fight. Might still be the same result but you never know how mayweather would have delt with it!!!! Look at the calzaghi hopkins fight with the same ref...the ref hardly got involved!!!! The hitman to beat the pacman then a re-match with the moneymaker. Come on Ricky!!! stick two fingers up at all the negative Brits....who should be supporting and encouraging not negative and slating...he is one the of the greatest british sporting heroes and hes just like one of us and not a stuck up footballer!!!!!

Posted 16:34 26th January 2009

Mike Miller says...

When some of you guys say that Hatton is a massive name in boxing, you mean just the UK right? I don't think he is that big yet globally. Yes, PPV sales, he is the biggest ....you look at his fight record he is fighting mostly "nobodies". Until he proved something by beating a "proper" big name in boxing you can call him any name you want.... At the moment go PACCCCMMMAAAAANNNN!!!! :)

Posted 10:47 26th January 2009

Ben K says...

i think hatton deserves more credit then hes gettin givin and he is on a pound for pound level hes only been beat by probaly 1 of the best fighter that will go down in history and its not like he has no abill he stopt mallanagi, even miguel cotto was not able to do, he never just stoped him he out boxed him and mallanaggi is a very good tecniquel boxer

Posted 10:17 26th January 2009

Rob Mud says...

Pacquioa needs this fight so I believe it will go ahead. Not only will the profile of the event make for a massive spectacle but if he can beat Ricky at Light welter he'll be seen as a true legend. That's not cause Ricky's better than Barrera or others he's fought, but because Ricky has never been beaten at Light welter and Pacquioa would be at a massive weight disadvantage. De La Hoya was terrible against Pacman and it wasn't a true test. And Cotto, Mayweather, Marquez would definitely be too strong for him at light welter or welter regardless of talent. Ricky will win with a late knockout but Paquioa will take the fight without a doubt as its the best one out there for him. You have too draw the line somewhere and anyone in their prime naturally bigger than Lightwelter should beat Manny.

Posted 08:47 26th January 2009

Roy Closa says...

Good that Paquiao-Hatton fight is pushing through! For Ricky, Manny is the path to even bigger fights; for Manny, Ricky is the next big thing to Oscar, moneywise. The feeling is mutual. Good that Hatton now has a good coach and will train for 3 mos, but are these enough? Pacman's skills (and Freddie Roach directing) earned him being called the little Muhammad Ali, thu this is not apparent coz of their different styles. I think pacman will stop the hitman between 6-10th rd.

Posted 19:43 25th January 2009

Jonny Fairclough says...

All i can say is cmon Hatton Why cant you win this one. As for all of u saying he isnt upto this standard you will be supporting him on the night and when he wins be singing his praises so shut the abuse up.

Posted 19:37 25th January 2009

Richard Dean says...

mans who think ricky wouldnt beat marquez and diaz!! you all dont no boxing. rickys an animal!! hes an inside fighter who likes to deal with oppents quick, hes not a 9 round fighter plus. if it werent for the referee he would of clatterd mayweather. every time he went to go to work on the inside the ref would get inside to pull him back to box else floyd would of been knocked sparko!! the best fighters are the inside fighters with extreme power.ie tyson frazier and the like.its time people woke up and realise in ricky hatton we have a british fighter whos a living legend!! pacman diaz marquez, none would live with ricky, as youll all see over the next 18 months! gu on the HITMAN!!

Posted 14:46 25th January 2009

Richard Gidney says...

good for ricky's bank balance bad for his record. pac man will beat him worse than mayweather did. and i like hatton but his only hope is to land 1 big punch. pac man will out box and finish hattons career.

Posted 09:37 25th January 2009

Derek Larner says...

If Manny/Hatton are fighting at Junior Welterweight, a weight where Ricky Hatton is undoubtedly number 1 in the world (he easily outclassed the number 2, Malignaggi), why should he accept anything less than 50%, after all, he has the IBF belt, which will be on the line. However, Ricky's team know that 48% of the interest a Manny fight far exceeds 60% interest in any other Junior Welterweight right now so the match-up is good business sense. As for the result - Manny is quick, is tough, is wily and very experienced. That being said, I must agree that he will find Ricky Hatton much tougher than his recent opposition. I watched Ricky live in Vegas last time out and with Floyd snr in his corner (it was his best performance for years last time out). Ricky will be even better against Manny as this old dog is learning new tricks. Obviously, I want Ricky to win by stoppage and hope that he can get close enough to Manny to cause big problems. Once Manny feels the weight of Ricky's body shots, he will try maintain the distance and keep flicking out his famous left-hand lead, which will cause Ricky problems, as it has with all other fighters. Although Ricky has been stopped before, with great respect to Manny, he ain't no PBF. Ricky to win round 8, then go for a rematch with PBF at Wembley. The real winner of this match-up is the sport of Boxing.

Posted 02:29 25th January 2009

Craig Campbell says...

i think this will be fight of the decade if it happens, come on ricky, back to his best, hes bigger and faster than manny, it will go all the way but hatton on points, should be 52 - 48 to hatton with the revenue he brings in with the support, hes the only english man the irish fully support

Posted 21:14 24th January 2009

Ian Cornish says...

I see the usual Hatton bashers have resurfaced.Some of the comments beggar belief.Hatton is naturally 40 pounds heavier than Pacman.no he isn't.He hasn't fought at the weight,no,but he boxed del la hoya at welter,a weight Hatton struggled at.Also the comment about he can dominate a rubbish division because he's so much bigger than everyone else?They are all light welter's,name one "pumped up" fighter Hatton has boxed! He leaves that to the likes of Amir Khant.As for the comment Hatton has got no standing in world boxing,please,he is a multiple world champion at two weights and currently the best lightwelter by a mile. About time some people gave him some credit!

Posted 13:18 24th January 2009

John Gomez says...

" Kieron Evans says... On off on off on off, Paco cant make his mind up? I personally think that he is affraid of Hatton. Hatton is well and truely back on form." excuse me dude but im from the philippines living here in the uk and let me tell you the pacman aint afraid of your ricky hatton.no way he's gonna accept 50-50 split.pacquioa is more well known than hatton is.the pacman is a household name in mexico they call him the mexican assasin.so how many did buy hattons last fight in the uk ?only around the 200-300,000.but when pacquioa fights the paper view in america its usually in the million mark thats why hatton wants 50-50 split get it!.so enuf with the money talk... i say the pacman will teach hatton a thing or two,yeah you say hatton got power but can he ever deliver that power punch with the fast moving,rapid punching pacman if he can hit him...thats what the pacman wants him to think anyway that he's smaller so he must be easy to knockout but then the pacman will give him what he want's ...a lesson in boxing and a good beating!!! i hope hatton stops drinking so he can give a good fight.dont want to hear any excuses when he loses...........go go pacman!!!! basta taga mindanao astig!!!!!!

Posted 21:34 23rd January 2009

Craig Clifford says...

what are you people on about ricky hatton is the finest light welterweight in the world bar none and manny knows this and thats why he dont want to mix it with him and with big floyd in his corner its a dream team just ask paulie who thought he would destroy hatton bad mistake

Posted 21:29 23rd January 2009

Rob Harper says...

sorry... tol borg your wrong... hatton could easily take cotto... Cotto is just a banger and hatton is to slick for him, cotto fights one dimension, he makes good fighters look poor, but put him in with a mayweather a hatton he will get beat up. He could be world class but he needs to lean to fight with angles. As for hatton paquaio, i think hatton will gladly take the 48% cut purley because he knows its what the fans want to see, hatton isnt greefy he just doesnt want to be taken for a mug, he knows he brings more ppv money to the table, so thinks he deserves the cut, and i agree. But paquaio will be tough, it depends on how hatton handles the jab, i think being with maywether snr will make him to slick for paquaio, and hatton will have more head movement as he strides forward, and being the bigger and more powerfull man i think heel beat paquaio easily. round 8 or so ko.

Posted 17:06 23rd January 2009

Nick Mo says...

I agree that Ricky could get the easiest PFP fighter scalp by fighting Pacquiao because he is still the best Light-Welterweight in the world and simply bigger than him which must be the largest leveling factor. It won't be a Mayweather type fight as Ricky can muscle through the smaller Pacquiao like he did with Tszyu, who would've been stronger and punched harder. That is if the Pacman who likes a fight is in the ring, not the one who could use all his skills and fitness to dodge and score with minor punches for 12 rounds, his holiday afterwards and into his next fight- making the match as interesting as a Hopkins fight, but with cuts. My inclination is the Hitman will get the over confident Pacman into a fight by the eighth round and knock him out, or catch him with one punch when behind on points late on in the fight. Besides, If it goes ahead it'll be a great event because of the great following for both fighters, and both of them from outside of the US! P.s. A Mayweather fight should be a definite 'NO'!. What happened last time will happen a million times and Hatton just doesn't have the muscle at Welterweight.

Posted 13:52 23rd January 2009
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