HOLLYWOOD, CALIF. (April 24, 2009) – Three-time BWAA Trainer of the Year, World-Famous Freddie Roach was all smiles on Thursday after five-division world champion and two-time BWAA Fighter of the Year MANNY “Pacman” PACQUIAO had finished his multi-hour training session at the Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood, Calif. Pacquiao’s workout included six rounds of sparring and his usual iron man conditioning with former world heavyweight champion Michael Moorer and conditioning guru Alex Ariza.
“Manny is in the finest shape of his career. It’s amazing when you think that this will be his fourth consecutive fight in a different weight class and all against world-class competition. Last year he fought at 130, 135 and 147 and next week he moves down to 140. He’s incredible,” said Roach. “Manny is sharp as a razor and stronger than ever. We are prepared for the best that Ricky Hatton can muster, which is a formidable task.
“Ricky is about to step into quicksand and his only chance of escape will have to come from the referee or his corner. He can say Manny beat a washed up Oscar De la Hoya all he wants. Just remember, Oscar didn’t become washed up until Manny put him through the ringer. I’ll put Manny’s roster of opponents up against Ricky’s any day. Manny has beaten a host of future Hall of Famers including Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera, Juan Manuel Marquez and Oscar. Ricky has been dining on his Kostya Tszyu victory for a long time. That was four years ago and Tszyu was at the end of his career. Who else of note has Ricky defeated?
“Manny had his bobble-head night on Tuesday at the Giants-Padres game and in the ring on May 2 he’s going to turn Ricky into a human bobble-head, just like he did to Oscar. I told Manny I would be disappointed if this fight goes beyond the third round.”
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HBO Sports’ all-access reality series “PACQUIAO/HATTON 24/7,” will premiere episode No. 3 in HD, Tomorrow! Saturday, April 25, beginning at 9.35 p.m. ET/PT on HBO. Episodes Nos. 1 and 2 are available on HBO ON DEMAND.
The Pacquiao vs. Hatton pay-per-view telecast, beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT, has a suggested retail price of $49.95, will be produced and distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View and will be available to more than 71 million pay-per-view homes. The telecast will be available in HD-TV for those viewers who can receive HD. HBO Pay-Per-View is the leading supplier of event programming to the pay-per-view industry. For Pacquiao vs. Hatton fight week updates, log on to www.hbo.com.
Please visit www.pacmanhitman.com www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.toprank.com, or www.rickyhitmanhatton.com for upcoming announcements.