Brick City Boxing

By: Brad Marchetti, Doghouse Boxing

The superfight of 2009 is about to be about to jump off this Saturday when Manny Pacquiao vs Ricky Hatton trade leather for the 140 Lb. Ring Championship. Hatton, 45-1, 32 KO's, is undefeated at Jr. welterweight and will be defending his crown against the #1 pound-4-pound fighter active in Manny Pacquiao, 48-3-2, 36 KO's. The fight behind the fight will be among the trainers of the two combatants. Freddie Roach is the longtime trainer of Pacquiao while Floyd Mayweather Sr. will be working with Hatton for just the second time. Both of these trainers are considered some of the best in boxing, and the victor will have plenty of bragging rights and respect in their field. The fight odds are stacked against Hatton with Pacquiao listed as a -295 moneyline favorite.

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Pacquiao is a physical specimen that has been talented enough to fight four different weight classes in his last four fights. The southpaw Pacquiao has elite power, handspeed, footwork and stamina. The offensive minded puncher Pacquiao has refined his boxing skills with Roach and looked unbeatable in his last fight against Oscar De La Hoya. Pacquiao has a beautiful jab, brutal bodypunches and flowing combinations. The boxing betting odds OVER\UNDER for the Manny Pacquiao vs Ricky Hatton fight is at 9.5 Rounds with the OVER at -140.

The fun loving Brit Ricky Hatton is an aggressive bodypuncher that is one of the best in-fighters in boxing. The stockily built Hatton mauls opponents with his speed and pressure. Equipped with a stiff left jab and a high volume attack, Hatton grinds his opponents down. Ricky looked very impressive in his first fight with Mayweather Sr. when he beat down slickster Paulie Malignaggi.

Is Hatton slick enough on defense to avoid being ripped up by Pacquiao's blinding combinations? Will the smaller framed Pacquiao be able to handle himself against Hatton in the trenches? Does Hatton have enough of a chin to absorb the grenades that Pacquiao launches? The boxing betting odds give Manny Pacquiao a 75% chance of beating Ricky Hatton.

Manny Pacquiao vs Ricky Hatton Tale-Of- The-Tape

Pacquiao
Ht. 5'6"
Wt. 140
Reach: 67"
Age: 30
Style: Southpaw Puncher\Boxer

Hatton
Ht. 5'7"
Wt. 140
Reach: 65"
Age: 30
Style: Mauler\Boxer

Manny Pacquiao vs Ricky Hatton Marchetti Ratings:

Pacquiao
Boxing Ability: 8
Size: 5
Power: 8
Speed: 10
Stamina: 9
Defense: 8
Durability: 8
Ring IQ: 8

Hatton
Boxing Ability: 7
Size: 6
Power: 6
Speed: 8
Stamina: 9
Defense: 7
Durability: 7
Ring IQ: 7