Pacquiao's supports (above) cheer him on against De La Hoya.
BY: Robert Epstein
With victories over Marquez, Diaz and De La Hoya and the title of current pound for pound champion all accomplished in the twenty ninth stanza of his life. Pacquiao now looks ahead to his thirties and the final stages of his boxing career. Not to leave doubt in any ones mind that Pacquiao deserves to be listed as one of The Greatest Boxers of all Time he will now take on Ricky Hatton. Forget about any rumors of bouts with Kendall Holt or Zab Judah these make no sense or no money and will do Pacquiao no justice. A pound for pound champ wants to fight the best and the best name out there right now is Ricky Hatton. A Hatton – Pacquiao bout if held in the U.K. will break all of the boxing attendance records. However, as negations enter the final stages it appears that the bout will take place in Las Vegas in order to achieve the best economic results.
While Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton will due their battling inside the ring some time in May 2009, the fans of these two boxing warriors have already begun to square off outside the ring. The message boards the rebuttals, the polls have already started to heat up. The pre fight hype is on and the fan comradery alone will be a battle in it’s self.
Pacquiao with his aggressive boxing style, his offensive approach, always on the attack mentality makes him fan friendly and his recent destruction of De La Hoya has added believers to The Pacman Nation. If you add in Pacquiao’s kind hearted good deeds along with his generosity it becomes very difficult not to be a fan. Pacman has his country of 91 million strong behind him and with the additional support around the globe growing by leaps and bounds Pacman Nation is at its peak stronger than ever. Pacman Nation is ready to take on the Hatton Cult.
Hatton (above) greets thousands of his fans at the MGM in Vegas before the Malginaggi bout.
Hatton by far is the leading box office draw, without a doubt if this bout was held at Wembly Stadium 100,000 strong will come and maybe the stadium attendance record of 126,047 could be challenged. When Hatton fights no matter if its home in England or in his second home Vegas the cult comes out. In his last two Vegas bouts against Mayweather and Malignaggi the Hatton following hit the Vegas desert in droves, by the tens of thousands. The pre-fight weigh-in-in is an event in it’s self with over 6,000 Hattonnites strong. Oh yes Hatton has his own Elvis and lets not forget his brass band.
The interest in this bout has already reached a fever pitch, the bout has not been officially announced and the entire boxing world is buzzing with Pacquiao – Hatton thoughts. Pacquiao who has been installed as the 2 to 5 betting favorite to win the bout will also be the global fan favorite. However with his traveling army Hatton for sure will still have the larger on-site fan support.
De La Hoya 9above) slumped in the corner at the end of the eighth round
As Pacman journeys to another era in his career one has to reflect back on the amazing past year Pacquiao had, fresh in the minds of all is Pacquiao's destruction of the Golden Boy Oscar De La Hoya. Yes it was destruction from the opening bell to the lasting image of De La Hoya slumped on his stool in the corner at the end of the eighth round. That image will play in my mind for a long time as it wasn't the end of De La Hoya's career that I am thinking about but the beginning of Manny's. I know Pacquiao has been boxing for over thirteen years, I know he has 48 victories and only 3 losses, I know he beat the likes of Barrera, Marquez and Morales all who may have been better boxers than De La Hoya. However, it's the De La Hoya conquering that catapulted Manny as one of The Greatest Boxers of all Time.
Now Hatton must go face to face with the career ending giant Paquiao, if Pacquiao can achieve the same results and crush Hatton in De La Hoya like fashion Hatton’s cult will also be retired.
Can Pacman Nation Destroy the Hatton Cult?
Sergeant Pacquiao gets Legion of Honor
By James Mananghaya Updated December 23, 2008 12:00 AM
For bringing honor to the country in the field of sports, Filipino boxing hero Manny Pacquiao was among yesterday’s top awardees during the 73rd anniversary celebration of the Armed Forces of the Philippines at Camp Aguinaldo.
Clad in military dress uniform, Pacquiao, who holds the rank of master sergeant in the Army reserve force, was conferred the Philippine Legion of Honor with the rank of Officer by President Arroyo.
“For winning four world titles in different weight divisions and for being the best fighter in the world in his time, the Philippine Legion of Honor with the rank of Officer is awarded to Master Sgt. Emmanuel Pacquiao, Philippine Army reserve,” the citation read.
Pacquiao, a friend of AFP chief Gen. Alexander Yano, flew to Manila from his hometown of General Santos City to attend the awarding ceremony. He was greeted by senior military officers, foreign dignitaries and wounded soldiers from V. Luna Hospital, who were also present during the affair.
Pacquiao’s latest conquest was the Dec. 6 bout with Mexican Oscar “Golden Boy” de la Hoya in Las Vegas.
The same award Pacquiao received was conferred on AFP deputy chief Lt. Gen. Rodrigo Maclang, who, as chief of the military’s Northern Luzon Command, was responsible for the dismantling of seven communist New People’s Army guerilla fronts and the neutralization of 150 rebel personalities in his area of responsibility.
AFP vice chief Lt. Gen. Cardozo Luna was conferred the Philippine Legion of Honor with rank of Commander for heading Joint Task Force Mindanao at the height of pursuit operations against Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels who pillaged communities in North Cotabato and Lanao del Norte.
Brig. Gen. Rommel Gomez, chief of the army’s 703rd Infantry Brigade who was instrumental in the dismantling of five NPA guerilla fronts in Central Luzon, was awarded the Distinguished Service Star (DSS).
The same award was given to Capt. Edgar Abogado, chief of the Naval Task Force 21, for the apprehension of 77 watercraft used to transport smuggled goods and seven ships used by poachers.
Col. Richard Siga-an of the Air Force 505th Search and Rescue group was given the DSS for assisting 39 victims of lahar flows in Bacolor, Pampanga during the onslaught of typhoon “Dodong”.
Manila Bulletin publisher Don Emilio Yap was also conferred the Philippine Legion of Honor with the First Anahaw Leaf for his contributions to the scholarship fund for dependents of soldiers killed in battle.
Army Lt. Kenneth Gutleng, who was slain in an encounter with MILF rebels in Datu Piang, Maguindanao last Sept. 29, was posthumously awarded the Gold Cross Medal for gallantry in action. Marine Sgt. Ricky Villar of the Marine force recon battalion was also given the GCM for gallantry during an encounter with joint Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiyah members in Sulu.
The Outstanding Achievement Medal was awarded to Lt. Col. Rizaldo Limoso, chief of the AFP Educational Benefits System, and Technical Sgt. Hercules Regis, who wrote a children’s book of poems.
The Distinguished Aviation Cross was awarded to Lt. Jonathan Ibañez, a combat pilot who conducted air strikes against the MILF rebels at the height of operations a few months ago.
Lt. Victor Ramos, chief of the Navy seal team that conducted search and rescue operations for trapped miners in Itogon, Benguet recently, was awarded the Bronze Cross Medal.
Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit militiaman Nonito Cabarles, who single-handedly repelled about 100 NPA rebels who were planning to abduct him and a retired soldier in San Jorge, Samar, was awarded the Kagitingan sa Barangay Award with the rank of Datu.
Technical Sgt. Antonio Domingo was named AFP Enlisted Personnel of the Year, while Drs. Luz Quintana and Marie Antonnette Castanos were awarded AFP Civilian Supervisor and Employee, respectively.
Cadet Majors Farvy de la Cruz and Josephil Nestor were hailed as AFP ROTC cadets of the year.
The AFP also honored Metrobank Foundation and Mindanao Tulong Bakwet as AFP Civil Military Operations Non-Government Organizations Awardees.
Hatton: Manny is mine Floyd
The Hitman believes he has earned the right to face the world’s best pound-for-pound boxer following his victories over Juan Lazcano and Paulie Malignaggi
But lurking in the shadows is Floyd Mayweather Jr, with rumours circulating about the undefeated welterweight’s return from retirement.
Hatton, 31, would not be impressed, however, should the man he lost to a year ago jump the queue.
He said: “Now he’s beaten Oscar De La Hoya, I’d love Manny Pacquiao to come down and fight me.
“He’s the best in the world right now and I’m unbelievably confident a showdown can be arranged.
“I’m not surprised Floyd is considering a return — but I’d be disappointed if he got in ahead of me.
“I’ve put the hard work in and would like to get the chance to take on Manny.
“If I win that fight, then I could strike a deal for a rematch with Mayweather. But that’s some way down the line.”
