Rich Hatton-Pacman tabled for next year
By Abac Cordero
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Manny Pacquiao is being asked to wait before he gets a shot at Ricky Hatton.
The slugger from Manchester, according to his lawyer Gareth Williams, will first honor a commitment to take on IBF light-welterweight champion Paulie Malignaggi in November.
Only after that fight will Hatton think about fighting Pacquiao.
“A fight with Pacquiao is something that has been mooted for next year and it is something we would be keen to do. But it is not going to happen this year. Ricky’s only focus is on Malignaggi,” said Williams.
An article, which came out of sportinglife.com, said Hatton “has dismissed” reports that he was about to ditch his fight with Malignaggi in exchange for a mega-buck showdown with the Filipino star.
Reports also said that Pacquiao’s promoter, Bob Arum of Top Rank, has opened talks with the Hatton camp, and that the latter is willing to pay Malignaggi a step-aside fee just to get him out of the picture.
Hatton’s lawyer said that has yet to happen.
“We have not spoken to anybody about a fight with Pacquiao. Ricky is contractually obliged to fight Paulie Malignaggi in November and that is what he will do,” said Williams.
Hatton and Malignaggi are on top of the 140-lb fighters, and Pacquiao, who makes his debut in the lightweight division against WBC champion David Diaz on June 28, said he can fight a notch higher.
It’s not only Pacquiao, but his trainer Freddie Roach as well, who likes Hatton as his next opponent. An insider said Pacquiao is even willing to have the fight staged in the United Kingdom in November.
The venue of Hatton’s next fight has yet to be finalized, but Williams said it’s a tossup between New York, at the historic Madison Square Garden, or somewhere in Las Vegas.
“Ricky has made no secret of the fact that his choices are not just about cash. That’s why he chose to fighting Manchester when he would have made more money going back to the US.
“Vegas offers the big money but Ricky has never fought in New York and has always stated his desire to do so.
It would be a great experience and one he would be able to share with thousands of fans,” Williams said.
Roach said Hatton will be a good fight for Pacquiao, and he’s confident that his 29-year-old ward has what it takes to beat the superstar from Manchester.
But first, Pacquiao must beat Diaz on June 28, and then he can hope that Hatton changes his mind.
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