Brotherman’s Take On Manny Pacquiao Vs. Ricky Hatton

I want to introduce you to Robert Lashley, aka Brotherman. I met Robert while writing at Epinions.com (which is the same place I met Big D). Robert is one of the greatest music writers I’ve ever seen, but he also has a love for boxing. And as you’ll see below, he’s just as good at writing about boxing.

He wrote a preview piece on the upcoming fight this weekend and I wanted to put it on the site. Robert will be writing more in the future for FGB. Show him some love.

By Robert Lashley

There will come a time when fight fans will miss Ricky Hatton. He’s been the decades’ most accomplished action fighter; the toughest of a generation of tough, lower class pugs who destroyed every stereotype about British boxing there ever was. Known for his relentless pressure style, he’s added enough of a defense to extend his career, and, at his boxing best, can pop out a short, stiff jab. His loss to Floyd Mayweather Jr. and stiff outing against Juan Lazcano caused more than a few people to wonder if he was finished, but a stay with a new trainer, the irrepressible Floyd Sr., resulted in a good victory against Paulie Malinaggi. One can easily imagine Hatton, in leaner years for the lighter weight divisions, being the pound for pound gatekeeper for the sport.

These are not leaner years for the lighter weight divisions, however, and Manny Pacquiao is the pound for pound gatekeeper at this moment; a fighter who also happens to be in the prime of his career. Originally a frenetic, hit-and-get-hit whirlwind, Pacquiao has progressed rapidly
in recent years; improving his footwork, modulating his ferocious aggression, and becoming more of a combination puncher as he has moved up in weight. Against David Diaz and Oscar De La Hoya, he looked less like the two dimensional fighter who lost his first fight against Erik Morales and more like Aaron Pryor in his prime.

This fight will depend on two things; how much Hatton has left at 140 and how much power and strength Pacquiao can carry as he moves up in weight. If the fight was at 135 or 130, it wouldn’t bode well for Hatton. The people who have beaten and given Manny the most trouble
have been great boxers, and Hatton will stand in front of him more than any of his recent opponents. Ricky, however, is a different, stronger fighter at 140. Manny, however, is a different, stronger fighter overall; too quick, too fast, and too much for the Hitman, no matter how tough he is.

PREDICTION: Pacquiao in a tough, yet convincing unanimous decision.

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