There is an air of decided confidence in the Wildcard Gym in Hollywood as Manny Pacquiao — the pride of the Philippines — gets ready to go after the 140-pound lightweight championship currently held by Ricky Hatton.
Hatton is the pride of Manchester in his homeland of England, and he's built an impressive career of his own.
None of that seems to matter in Hollywood, where trainers Freddie Roach and Nonoy Neri join other members of Team Pacquiao in expectations of an easy victory. Roach is even advising a change of wardrobe based on his outlook for the fight.
"You know how Manny usually wears white shorts — I already told Manny to wear red shorts that night," said Roach during the media day workout on April 15. "There's going to be a lot of blood, and it won't be from Manny."
"All Manny has to do is fight smart," added Neri. "Hatton is easy to hit."
For Team Pacquiao, there's a lot to be confident about. After an undefeated 2008 campaign that ended with the dismantling of the Golden Boy, Oscar De La Hoya, last December, Pacquiao is on top of the boxing world. Many serious and casual boxing fans alike call him the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world. Fans of all types are flocking to him more than ever.
Pacquiao won over many of them by coupling a quick and elusive style with legitimate punching power in ending De La Hoya's career. Roach and Neri expect him to work from the same blueprint against Hatton when they square off on May 2 in Las Vegas.
Hatton has had his say in recent weeks, telling anyone with a microphone that he will be just as fast — or even faster — with his punches than Pacquiao when the two meet at the MGM Grand. And that would make Hatton faster — along with stronger and bigger — than anyone Pacquiao has ever fought.
Roach says the stuff coming from Hatton's side is all talk.
"Speed is a God-given gift," he said. "We'll see on the night."
Pacquiao told the Asian Journal that he's not underestimating Hatton. But he said that he does believe that speed will be his advantage against Hatton.
"I think the speed will be the key to this fight," he said. "I'm not underestimating the speed of Ricky Hatton, but I think I am faster than him."
Roach and Neri both agreed that the key for Pacquiao by giving himself a chance to use his speed by avoiding a toe-to-toe slugfest with Hatton.
Neri said that all throughout training camp they have been working on Pacquiao's jab as a way to neutralize Hatton's forward-moving, aggressive style. Neri said that he has reviewed all of Hatton's previous fights and will have Pacquiao ready to handle any roughhouse tactics that might come from the British boxer. Neri said that Hatton has a history of grabbing and punching during clinches, pushing, and head butts.
"That's why it's important when Hatton comes forward, Manny needs to throw that jab, then move to the side," said Neri.
Roach said that means Pacquiao will have to use his feet as well as his fast and powerful hands.
"He has to land those combinations and go side to side. It's all about footwork," said Roach.
Pacquiao, meanwhile, sounded as though he's gotten the point.
"The jab is very important in this fight," he said "Hatton is not too fast, so the jab [will be] very effective in this fight."
Pacquiao wouldn't give a prediction on the outcome of the match, but Neri said he expects to finish up quickly. And for all the talk of the jab, it appears that's all a set-up for the real power punch.
"Probably early," said Neri. "Watch for Manny's left hook."
Photo from Asian Journal
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