Hatton's British fans KOs Pacquiao's Pinoy followers

[RICKSBEACH]

Lets get ready to rumble!!

MANILA, Philippines – The fight has not yet started but Ricky Hatton’s camp already scored a knockout win after throngs of British fans drowned out Manny Pacquiao’s followers during the final weigh-in ceremony at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas.

If Friday afternoon’s weigh-in was a cheering competition, Hatton’s fans that packed the MGM Arena are the hands down winners.

Hatton’s united English followers even had a special chant when the British champion was introduced and even booed Pacquiao and those associated with him when the Filipino crowd cheered the challenger.

Pacquiao is challenging Hatton for the latter’s International Boxing Organization (IBO) light-welterweight crown.

Even Top Rank promoter Bob Arum and event host Mario Lopez, who is a known Pacquiao fan, did not escape the jeers of Hatton’s British supporters.

Both fighters easily made weight in time for their 12-round bout dubbed “Battle of East and West. Pacquiao tipped the scales at 138lbs while Hatton checked in at 140lbs.

Golden Boy Promotions big boss Oscar De La Hoya, who suffered an eighth-round defeat to Pacquiao last December, even said that he would have suffered a knock-out loss to Hatton if he fought the Englishman last year.


AFP for Pacquiao
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), under new chief Lt. Gen. Victor Ibrado, is also praying for a Pacquiao victory.

Pacquiao is a Philippine Army reservist holding a rank of Master Sergeant.

Army spokesman Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner Jr. said that the AFP has already prepared free big screen showing of the Pacuiao-Hatton fight at AFP general head quarters in Camp Aguinaldo.

Similar showing will also be held at the Army, Navy and Air Force gyms.

“Win or lose, Manny will still be the soldiers hero," said Brawner Jr.


Roach: Fighting-weight is important
Freddie Roach was smiling from ear to ear just as the official weigh-in for the Manny Pacquiao-Ricky Hatton fight was over.

He definitely likes what he saw.

“I don’t need to factor what they weigh today. It’s what they weigh tomorrow that is important," stressed Roach.

Pacquiao came two pounds below the 140-pound limit while Hatton tipped in at the exact weight allowed in the junior welterweight class.

With Hatton weighing at 140, Roach expects him to bloat to as big as 155 to 160 on fight night, which would definitely be good for the Filipino boxing idol.

“I think that will make him sluggish," Roach pointed out. “The more he weighs, the happy I’ll be because you weigh more doesn’t mean you’re strong."

Asked whether he’s standing by his earlier prediction of the fight ending in Pacquiao’s favor in the third round, Roach replied curtly.

“Less," before walking away laughing. – With a report from Josh Villanueva, GMANews.TV

[Victor Hugo]

Thanks for the information R.B.

[MOE23]

This will be a good fight!!!