SINCE lighting up the lightweight division with a ninth-round KO of WBC champion David Diaz a week ago, a slew of boxers are fighting to get in the lead in the Manny Pacquiao derby.
Now, one of the biggest names of the sport is joining the hunt and he wants a Pacquiao fight as a fitting finale to his career.
The pride of the United Kingdom Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton will finally hang his gloves next year and is looking forward to a farewell bout with either Filipino boxing superstar Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao or the legendary “Golden Boy” Oscar de la Hoya at the Wembley Stadium in front of his supporters.
Since dela Hoya campaigns as a light middleweight (147 to 154 pounds), a fight with the lightweight (130-135 pounds) champion Pacquiao is more likely since Hatton fights in the 135 to 140 pound super lightweight division.
“In the New Year I’m hoping to fight either Manny Pacquiao or Oscar de la Hoya at Wembley Stadium in front of 100,000 people and after that I’ll probably retire,” Hatton said in an interview with BBC Sport that was posted at philboxing.com.
Freddie Roach himself, the coach of Pacquiao, wants Hatton for a Nov. 8 play date with Pacquiao, while the new four-time champion has expressed willingness to face anyone his handlers will have him fight.
Two more
After an illustrious career with just a single loss, against the retired Floyd Mayweather Jr. when he climbed to the 147-pound division, the British slugger is planning to call it quits after two more fights, one with International Boxing Federation light welterweight titlist Paulie Malignaggi this year and his final fight against either Pacquiao or de la Hoya.
“I don’t want to go on forever and would have done everything I dreamed off, so two more fights and then I think I’m done,” told Hatton, who boasts an outstanding career record of 41-1, 31 KO’s. “I’ll fight Paulie Malignaggi in November in Las Vegas again, so I’ll be able to take my wonderful fans over there again and if I win that, then it’ll be my eighth world title,” said the International Boxing Organization light welterweight king.
Meanwhile, Bobby Pacquiao (28-14-3, 13 KOs), the younger brother of the WBC champion, will be stepping in the ring against Thai Decho Bankluaygym (28-10-2, 19 KOs) for the vacant World Boxing Organization Asia-Pacific lightweight crown at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino on Aug. 2.
Joining him in this fight card is Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation bantamweight titleholder Rolly Lunas (24-6-1, 14 KOs) who will defend his belt against Kaonah Klongphajon (5-12-2, 4 KO’s) of Thailand and Arnel Porras (9-14-3, 4 KOs) of the Philippines against David Rodela (9-1-2, 5 KOs) of Mexico. (EKA)
