Look for drama in Pacquiao-Hatton matchup

By Nick Groke

The last time Manny Pacquiao fought, the consensus pound-for-pound best boxer in the world punched so hard and so well he knocked Oscar De La Hoya straight into retirement.

The last time Ricky Hatton was on the big stage, his legion of fans chanted his name in adoring shouts, even as he lay flat on his back after a knockout by Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Herein is the backdrop for Saturday's junior welterweight world title fight between Pacquiao and Hatton at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, the most recent entry in the 2009 schedule of megafights.

Pacquiao, a national hero in his home nation, the Philippines, has already won world titles in four weight divisions, starting at 112 pounds. He TKO'd De La Hoya at 147 pounds in December after dominating the fight. If he can beat Hatton at 140 pounds, Pacquiao (48-3-2) will have won world championships in five divisions, an amazing feat.

England's Hatton (43-1), though, brings an impressive record, having lost only to Mayweather in late 2007.

"People say (I'm) overhyped, overprotected, a fat, beer-drinking Englishman," Hatton said this week. "Well, I'm going to shock the world again." read more