Pacquiao (above) all smiles after his victory over De La Hoya.

 

 

BY:Robert Epstein

Thousands have voted in our poll, the results are in and by a slight margin boxing fans selected Ricky Hatton over Floyd Mayweather Jr. as the opponent they want to see in the ring next with Manny Pacquiao .The margin was very slim as 49 percent of the voters selected Hatton and 44 percent selected Mayweather.

So now the fans have spoken and the promoters Golden Boy and Top Rank are working on the details to put together Pacquiao vs Hatton. I am sure working out the details of the fight is a challenge for them however the fun comes when they select the title for this fight. It goes without saying and at this point in the year it has been written countless times that Pacquiao has achieved greatness in 2008. He is the official pound for pound king of the ring and deserves all the accolades after his victories over Marquez, Diaz and De La Hoya.

On the other hand Hatton did not have the superstar year that Pacquiao had. However, he was able to record two victories in his two fights and regain the momentum he lost after the Mayweather defeat in December 2007. Hatton under the guidance of Floyd Mayweather Sr. was able to put together a dominating performance over Paulie Malignaggi which catapulted him into the Pacquiao sweepstakes. So here we are with the books for 2008 about to close and new chapters about to be opened in 2009, with what maybe the most memorable boxing event in history about to be announced.

Ricky Hatton (above) in the media room at the Pacquiao - De La Hoya “Dream Match”

In years past both Top Rank and Golden Boy Promotions have promoted great battles featuring the legends of the sport, each great fight also included a great title. As they think about the title for Pacquiao – Hatton here are some of their greatest event titles and battles from their past promotions to help spark their thought process:

1985 - “The Fight” - Hagler vs Hearns

1986 - “SuperFight” - Hagler vs. Leonard

1990 - “The Puncher and the Preacher” - Foreman vs. Cooney

1990 - “Once Is Not Enough” - Toney vs. McCallum

1991 - “Battle of the Ages” - Foreman vs. Holyfield

1993 - “Heavy Damage” - Foreman vs. Coetzer

1996 - “Ultimate Glory” - De La Hoya vs. Chavez

1997 - “Buster on Broadway” - Douglas vs. Ryan in NYC

1999 - “Fight of the Millenium” - De La Hoya vs. Trinidad

 2002 - “Bad Blood” - De La Hoya vs Vargas

2006 - “Sworn Enemies” - Mayweather vs. Judah

2007 - “War For Four” - Morales vs. Diaz

2007- “Fast and Furious” Cotto vs Mosley

2008 - “The Battle” - Cotto vs. Margarito

2008 - “Unstoppable” - Pavlik vs. Hopkins

2008 – “Dream Match” – Pacquiao vs De La Hoya

For Pacquiao first it was the epic rematch battle with Juan Manuel Marquez which was labeled as “Unfinished Business “sandwiched in between the De La Hoya “Dream Match” we had Pacquiao Diaz “Lethal Combination”. As for Hatton his fight with Malignaggi was called “Power vs Precision”. So what will the marketing geniuses at Top Rank and Golden Boy come up with for their megasode of Pacman vs Hitman?

 We have asked around and here are some of the suggestions we got         

“Battle of the Generation”

“Battle of the Planets”

” Total Collision”

” Clash of the Storms”

“Collision Course”

“Thunder vs Lightening”

“New Horizons”

My personal favorite title is Pacman vs Hitman “A Battle for the Fans” both fighters have huge fan bases in their own countries and beyond. When Pacquiao fights the Philippines is at a standstill so that they can watch their hero. Hatton fans travel by the tens of thousands to see him fight, which make him the leading box office draw. The fans provide the energy, support and desire they need to reach beyond expectations.  Pacman and Hitman inside the ring always demonstrate their loyalty to their fans with their attacking and never give up styles. So why not title this one Pacman vs Hitman “A Battle for the Fans      

 

Please email me your title suggestions to rob@diamondboxing.com

Boxing News www.diamondboxing.com 

Pacquiao’s supporters (above) cheer him on against De La Hoya.

BY: Robert Epstein www.diamondboxing.com

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 (above) 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.

Forum Contest Win $100 Select the Mosley - Margarito Winner http://www.diamondboxing.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=26

BOXING NEWS www.diamondboxing.com

 

BY: Diane Bennett

On December 11 the newly built Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey was christened with a boxing classic. Steve Cunningham put his IBF cruiserweight championship belt on the line against number one challenger Tomasz Adamek. After 12 grueling rounds of amazing action in which both fighters left every single ounce of their energy in the ring it was Adamek prevailing by split decision. However, it was Cunningham who was the aggressor through – out the bout, firing more punches but only to have them absorbed by the   steel chin of Adamek. At points when it appeared that Adamek was wilting to the Cunningham punishment, he would dig deep and find away to land shots of his own, three of those shots landed Cunningham to the canvas. Cunningham immediately got up after each knockdown which occurred in the second, forth and eighth rounds. As Cunningham would say afterwards “All the knockdowns were flash knockdowns to me. I was not really hurt” In the forth round in particular it looked like the champ was going to put Adamek away. Cunningham was demolishing Adamek with an onslaught of blows for the first two minutes or so of the round then with twenty second left Adamek roared backed and nailed Cunningham with a shot sending him to the canvas. The fight had the same theme all the way until the final bell.    

As soon as the final bell sounded the first thought that I had was when will the rematch take place. Boxing fans should not have to wait more than the required time for these two cruiserweight gladiators to climb through the ropes and do it again.

Very few survive three knockdowns and are able to finish the bout let alone receive a favorable decision from the judges. In this case many experts believed that Cunningham’ who threw more punches and connected more frequently was deserving of at least a draw. The judges felt differently with only one of the three giving the nod to Cunningham. Judge Clark Sammartino scored the bout 114 – 112 for Cunningham, while John Stewart had it 116 -110 and Shafeeq Rashada 115-112 for Adamek.

As the dust settled and the massive amount of Polish fans that were in attendance to cheer on their new champion emptied the Rock, both fighters were greeting the press in the post fight conference room. This post fight conference had a tune to it, even before Cunningham who was first to speak could utter a word the hundred or so media in attendance shouted REMATCH, REMATCH. That remained the constant during the conference and Cunningham without hesitation stated that is exactly what he wants. On the other hand Adamek was non comitial.

A week has gone by now and all the reports have been printed, each boxing expert had the fight scored within one point either way and all agreed that an immediate rematch needs to happen. Many went further to say that this was the fight of the year. One thing is for sure USS Cunningham already has the gloves laced and is ready to go. Now it’s up to Adamek and the powers to be to give the fans what they want to see now Cunningham – Adamek II.

BOXING NEWS www.diamondboxing.com

 

Photo Credit - Gianluca (Rio) Di Caro

De La Hoya and Pacquiao Kick off the “Dream Match” at the Statue of Liberty

BY: Rick Assad - After what transpired between Manny Pacquiao and Oscar De La Hoya inside the ring at the MGM Grand Garden Arena this Saturday night, it became apparent to the 15,001 fans in attendance and those watching on pay-per-view, the Golden Boy has likely fought for the final time.

The relentless pounding that Pacquiao rendered over eight rounds during their non-title welterweight match, and the manner in which De La Hoya left the ring, his only decision can be “no mas.” Anything else would be futile.

“I was able to defend his jab,” said Pacquiao, considered the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world.”I was connecting with everything. He was connecting with nothing. Speed was the answer to this fight.”

Once great and formidable, the 35-year-old De La Hoya looked old, out-of-shape and tired when trainer Nacho Beristan called a halt to the fight prior to the ninth round. De La Hoya’s left eye was practically closed, and his face looked pained.

“I stopped the fight because I didn’t want him to leave his greatness in the ring,” said Beristan.”Oscar was in good condition, but he couldn’t control Manny’s southpaw stance or style. He wasn’t able to stop him. He just didn’t seem to have the strength tonight.”

The beating De La Hoya absorbed, especially in the seventh round, should tell the one-time Olympic gold medal champion that his time is over.

“I am not shocked because at this stage, when you face someone like Manny Pacquiao, you know you are going to be in a fight,” De La Hoya said. “I worked and trained really hard for this fight, but as I have told everyone, it is a totally different story when you get in the ring.”

De La Hoya went on: “My style is to go forward, but he was boxing on his toes all night and waiting for me to make my mistake. I just didn’t have the strength to stop him and my body did not respond.”

Don’t feel too sorry for the 10-time world champ in four weight divisions. With Golden Boy Promotions the industry leader, the company will be solvent for years to come.

The same, however, couldn’t be said for De La Hoya, who landed 21 percent of his punches (83 of 402), 13 percent of his jabs (32 of 238), 31 percent of his power punches (51 of 164), and was taken to a local hospital as a precaution after suffering the worst loss in his distinguished 17-year-career.

Then again, the last few years haven’t been kind to De La Hoya (39-6-0 and 30 knockouts), who once had brilliant hand speed and extraordinary footwork.

In May at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California, De La Hoya won a unanimous decision over lightly-regarded Steve Forbes.

Despite that, after the fight, De La Hoya had obvious puffiness around his eyes. He even looked slow, and couldn’t floor the heavy underdog.

Mind you, this was against Forbes, who would never be compared to a world-class fighter like Pacquiao (48-3-2 and 36 KO’s).

A year earlier at the same MGM Grand Garden ring, De La Hoya had a close bout with undefeated Floyd Mayweather Jr., for the World Boxing Council super welterweight belt, but walked away losing a split decision.

That night, De La Hoya started quickly, winning four or perhaps five of the first six rounds, only to fade in the second half.

On Saturday, after eight rounds, Judges Dave Moretti and Adalaide Byrd each had Pacquiao ahead, 80-71, while Stanley Christodoulou favored Pacquiao, 79-72. Diamondboxing.com. scored the bout in favor of Pacquiao, 78-73.

This time, from the opening bell, the quicker and better-conditioned Pacquiao, who has held world titles in four weight classes, was the aggressor, throwing stiff right-hand jabs, followed by darting lefts that continued to find De La Hoya’s face and midsection.

Covering the final three rounds, the 29-year-old Pacquiao connected with 97 punches, while De La Hoya answered with 21.

The seventh round was the tipping point, as Pacquiao, the Filipino hero, threw head and body shots seemingly at will, and had De La Hoya in the corner over much of the three minutes. It wasn’t until the final 30 seconds or so that the East Los Angeles-native answered with his own material.

Over the course of eight rounds, Pacquiao, who landed 38 percent of his punches (224 of 585), 59 percent of his power punches (195 of 333), and 12 percent of his jabs (29 of 252), minimized De La Hoya’s four-inch height and five-inch reach advantage.

These numbers, and De La Hoya’s 20 percent bigger body size, enlisted him a 2-to-1 opening-line favorite. The line dropped significantly in the days prior to the fight.

In retrospect, the younger and faster boxer prevailed. Anyone who saw Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard at the end of their Hall of Fame careers can vouch for this.

Or as Babe Ruth, baseball’s one-time home run king put it at the close of his brilliant career: “Getting old is hell.” De La Hoya knows that feeling.

FULL DREAM MATCH JOURNEY STARTING WITH THEIR TAKE OFF FROM HOUSTON 

 

 

 

  

  

 

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What’s the most important piece of equipment you need on fight night? No, it’s not your jockstrap, all though if you’re looking to have kids you may think it is. Think again. It’s your mouth piece, the last thing you think of and put on before the start of the fight. I have forgotten mine a few times and had to buy a cheap $2 mouth piece. I could have been knocked out. Not smart considering all a good mouth piece does for a boxer.

 

There are three main types of mouth pieces. The cheap ones you get at any old sporting good store. More expensive mouth pieces which get boiled so they fit better. And lastly the mouth guards you get made up at a dentist. You may think that a more expensive mouth piece is out of the question or just not worth the money. Well, each type of guard increases your protection and may even have performance enhancements not found in the cheaper guards.

 

The regular run of the mill mouth guards will mainly do one thing. It will keep your teeth from falling out. So if all you’re looking for is tooth protection save your money and go cheap. In the long run you’re limiting air flow. Also, your teeth will not be in optimal position to save that glass jaw of yours.

        

Next, we have the middle grade mouth guards that everyone usually buys. They cost $15-$150 and may come with some form of ventilation which will increase your air flow. These guards, like I stated before, are usually more of a custom fit. You boil them and then have them contoured to your mouth. Some have kits that allow you to send impressions of your teeth to a company to have a special guard made up. This is better and my even save you from a few upper cuts or hooks to the jaw.

 

Lastly, and possibly the state of the art at the moment, is the ultra guards that are out there. These guards are usually $750 and up. You say crazy? Not really. What’s not getting knocked out worth to you? Or how about being able to throw full force punches well into the 12th round? OK, so you’re not looking to go into the 12th round. Maybe you’re hoping your opponent is wearing a cheap mouth guard that only protects his teeth so you can knock him out. You still never know.

 

These high end ultra mouth guards take a lot into consideration. We can start with your bite. The dentist will usually relax the jaw and neck muscles using electrical stimulus, massage, acupuncture or chiropractic. This will allow for the best possible impression. Just think, if your muscles are tight the impression will be off and you will have a guard made from an unbalance mouth. Clench your teeth, now feel the muscles on the side of your head and jaw. Do you feel the tightness? While it may be secure it is also very fragile and uneven.

        

The next important part in fitting the mouth guard is your jaws natural alignment. A good guard should be fitted based on the center point of your bite. Using a computer an image is generated of your jaw as you move the jaw up and down, left to right, and in and out. The most comfortable position allowing for the most relaxation of your facial muscles is what you need to look for. Every one has a comfort zones with a space between your upper and lower jaw which keeps you confident.

 

  

 

Khan pounds the mitts of Freddie Roach at the Wild Card Gym (above)

BY: Robert Epstein - Latest Boxing News www.diamondboxing.com

On December 6 Amir Khan will enter the ring again exactly three months removed from his first professional defeat. Khan back on September 6 suffered a first round stunning 54 second knockout at the hands of Breidis Prescott in a bout held at MEN Arena in Manchester. The new Khan, fresh off several weeks of training at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles, California under the watchful eye of his new trainer Freddie Roach is set to face Oisin Fagan and his pressure style.

Prior to the Prescott lose Khan replaced trainer Oliver Harrison with Miami-based former Cuban Olympic coach Jorge Rubio. With his chin still in question Khan now looks towards the experienced Roach for help. Roach who is committed to be in the corner of Manny Pacquiao on December 6 in Vegas, will not be in Khan’s corner for the Fagan bout, however has a lot of faith in Khan who he believes is a world champion in the making. While at the Wild Card Gym, Khan spent three hours a day with Roach working on various techniques including his defense.

Khan gets instructions from Roach (above).

When asked if the KO lose to Prescott hurt his confidence Khan responded “Not at all to be honest, yes it put a big dent in my career but I’m back and more confident than ever”. “I’ve got a point to prove now, and it’s actually made me a better fighter, I’ve changed a lot of things and maybe it was a good thing what happened in the last fight, otherwise I probably wouldn’t have been training in the States with the best”.

While training in the U.S. at the Wild Card Gym, Khan had the opportunity to train alongside the pound for pound champion Manny Pacquiao as he prepares for his Dream Match with Oscar De La Hoya.For Khan sparring with Pacquiao can go along way in the soon to be 22 year olds boxing career, especially when observing the machine like workout routine of Pacquiao. When recently visiting the Wild Card Gym, Diamond Boxing asked Roach if training with Khan has helped Pacquiao in any way. Roach immediately perked upped and responded “Khan has a great, great jab and it’s faster than Oscar’s and better than Oscar’s” “If Manny can deal with Khan’s jab he can deal with anybodies jab”.

Khan works on his defense as he prepares for Judgment Day (above).

While December 6 is the Dream match for Pacquiao and De La Hoya it’s Judgment day for Amir Khan. He has been shown the canvas not only by Prescott but by the likes of Michael Gomez, Willie Limond and Rachid Drilzane, Khan on December 6 is looking to calm his critics who have labeled him as having a soft chin.  

Latest Boxing news www.diamondboxing.com

Team Hatton pictured above in victory.

By: Pete Goldthorpe

Latest Boxing News - On Saturday night we saw a fantastic end to November for British Boxing with Ricky Hatton (45-1-0) wrapping up a month of trilogy wins over American Boxers for Calzaghe, Haye and now the worlds biggest ticket seller Ricky Hatton. With legendary trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr now in his corner Hatton took on Paulie “Magic Man” Malignaggi (25-2-0) on boxing biggest stage the MGM Grand Las Vegas and the bout also being featured on HBO television. Both fighters successfully made weight on Friday with Hatton dead on the limit at 140lbs compared to Malignaggi’s 139lbs. Hatton’s put his Ring Magazine and IBO World Championship belts on the line while Malignaggi had to give up his IBF World Championship Belt in order secure this bout. Malignaggi was aiming to get his name recognized with the elite boxers of the world and a victory over Hatton would have gotten him a step closer. While Hatton was looking to get by Malignaggi and set up a mega fight with the winner of the December 6 clash between De La Hoya and Pacquiao.

Hatton with his usual large entourage of fans who made another trip to Vegas demonstrated a disciplined game plan executed to perfection. After a first round jab fest by Malignaggi, who connected several times causing slight swelling to Hatton’s  left eye, Hatton dominated the rest of the fight. In the second round Hatton landed a big right hand hook visibly dazing Malignaggi who immediately held on for survival. Malignaggi suffering a small cut under his left eye, it was evident that Malignaggi would have difficulty dealing with the stronger Hatton. Hatton was now starting to get into the angles showing his improved technique under Mayweather Sr.  The two spent several weeks in Vegas training, with Hatton running four miles a day up Mount Charleston in order to the lose the thirty pounds he gained between fights.

Malignaggi in the forth round kept distance between himself and Hatton by using his jab and  was also able to land a rear right hand. Malignaggi wanting no part of Hatton’s power and not wanting to mix it up with Hatton did most of his fighting at a distance. During the round it appeared Hatton’s left eye was slowly starting to increase swelling from the jabs absorbed from Malignaggi.

The middle rounds showed Malignaggi grabbing and holding under immense Hatton pressure. Malignaggi already looking the beaten fighter was no threat let alone doing any significant damage to Hatton whose power was proving the difference along with his relentless pressure. Hatton would not let Malignaggi get into any rhythm and was landing clean shots which were set up by his jab, rather ironically Hatton was out jabbing the jabber.

As the fight entered the latter rounds Hatton still looking fresh and strong showed  Consistent head movement which allowed  him to slip Malignaggi’s shots giving Malignaggi another thing to think about. In the ninth round Hatton needed his gloves re-taped  giving Malignaggi a welcomed rest, Hatton after the brief break went straight on the offensive finding his range landing good shots and even demonstrated his new found footwork.  Malignaggi still being  overly defensive, not wanting to be caught by Hatton’s power, the boxer Malignaggi was being out boxed. In the tenth round Hatton still looking sharp continued to find his range now more easily, Malignaggi’s style suiting Hatton perfectly. Hatton landing practically all of his shots, showing that he is too strong for the beaten New-Yorker, who at this point could only win by knock-out. Hatton looked physically fantastic not tired compared to the gasping for air Malignaggi.   

The eleventh round saw Malignaggi using up every inch of the ring before a Hatton onslaught in which he landed several great hooks to the lackluster Malignaggi. Finally at 0:28 of the eleventh round Malignaggi’s trainer Buddy McGirt throws in the towel not wanting to see his lion hearted fighter take any more punishment. With his overall better performance Hatton put his critics to rest at least for now. Now all eyes shift towards the upcoming De La Hoya Vs Pacquiao bout as Hatton will surely be in the mix to fight the winner in a mega-bout perhaps at Wembley arena next year, after this performance it looks as if the best is still yet to come from Hatton.

On the  undercard  Ricky’s younger brother Matthew take care of Ben Tackie winning a 10 round bout by unanimous decision and in the co-feature James Kirkland defeated fellow Texan Brian Vera scoring a 8 round TKO victory.

Malignaggi and Hatton in the center of the ring.

Malignaggi connects with a right.

Sly takes in the action from ringside.

David Beckham ringside cheering Ricky Hatton on.

 

Malignaggi with a right to Hatton’s face.

Hatton and Malignaggi trade shots.

Hatton connects with a right to the chin of Malignaggi.

 

McGirt giving Malignaggi instructions between rounds.

 

Hatton backs Malignaggi up with a right.

Ricky Fatton enters the ring.

Hitman Hatton in victory.

Hatton and Malignaggi hug afterwards.

Hatton and the happy Floyd Mayweather Sr at the post fight press conference.

Matthew Hatton and Ben Tackie exchange blows.

Matthew Hatton connects with a right to the chin of Tackie.

Matthew Hatton wins by unanimous decision.

James Kirkland pounds Brian Vera in the co-feature.

Kirkland connects with a right.

Kirkland sends Vera to the canvas.

Kirkland wins by TKO.

LATEST BOXING NEWS AND MORE PHOTOS www.diamondboxing.com 

 

Hatton and Malignaggi make weight and face off above.

Latest Boxing News - Ricky Hatton made weight right on the limit for Saturday’s junior-welterweight fight with American Paulie Malignaggi at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Friday night. Stripped down to his underwear, Hatton, 30, climbed onto the scales and belied suggestions circulating in American boxing circles that he was struggling with his weight, as he looked a lean and trim 140 pounds. Malignaggi, 27, comfortably made weight, tipping the scales at 139 pounds a little over 30 hours before challenging for Hatton’s Ring Magazine and IBO world championship belts.

Malignaggi (25-1, 5 KOs) was forced to listen to a deafening chorus of Hatton chants from the estimated 2,500 fans that had begun assembling in the Grand Garden Arena some 90 minutes before the weigh-in. The New Yorker appeared pumped up by the hostile atmosphere as he made weight, gesticulating to the crowd as Hatton took his turn on the scales before leaving the stage without comment. Afterward, Hatton was handed the microphone by ring announcer Michael Buffer and thanked his fans for turning out. “I’m going to make you proud again,” Hatton said.

Team Malignaggi 

Hatton Fans Sing It Up. 

Paulie Malignaggi being introduced by Miachael Buffer.

Malignaggi hits the scales at 139 pounds.

Chad Dawson takes in the weigh-in.

 

The Hatton Band entertains.

Elvis is in the house.

Malignaggi all pumped up.

Hatton weighs in at 140 pounds.

The face- off Hatton - Malignaggi.

 

They are focused and ready to go Hatton - Malignaggi.

Hatton and Malignaggi pose down.

Co- Feature match James Kirkland vs Brian Vega.

James Kirkland 156 pounds - Brian Vega 157.

 

Ben Tackie 148 pounds as he gets ready to take on Matthew Hatton.

 

Matthew Hatton.weighed in at 148 pounds.

Matthew Hatton and Ben Tackie ready to duke it out.

Matthew Hatton and Ben Tackie face - off.

Lightweight superstar Juan Diaz.

Latest Boxing News www.diamondboxing.com

 

The Pacman looking fit demonstrated to the media today at the Wild Card Gym in L.A. his speed and power. Pacquiao looking great at his current weight of 151 pounds pounded the mitts of head trainer Freddy Roach in an intense workout session attended by Diamond Boxing. Pacquiao is in deep preparation for his December 6 clash with the Golden Boy Oscar De La Hoya.

Full Media Day Photo Coverage

Pacquiao pounds the mitts

Pacman focused and ready for De La Hoya on Dec. 6th as he trains with Roach

Pacman is ready to go on December 6th

Manny practicing his defense

Manny says this is the hardest he ever trained for a fight

Manny Pacquiao says he is ready for De La Hoya

Manny warming up before workout

Pacquiao power shot

Manny showing the press how he is going to pound De La Hoya 

Pacquiao super quick on the speed bag

Manny jumping rope to get down to 147 pounds

Amir Khan getting ready for his training session at the Wild Card Gym in L.A.

Amir Khan focused as he gets ready for his December 6th bout in the UK 

Amir Khan pounding it out with Freddy Roach

Pacquiao takes a bow

Manny Pacquiao all business

Pacquiao after his workout on media day

Manny in deep thought while getting stretched out

Pacquiao gets ready for his workout on media day

Manny stretching it out prior to his workout

Manny smiles when talking about what he is going to do to Oscar

Bobby Pacquiao training at Wild Card Gym in L.A.

Not Double vision it’s Bobby Pacquiao training at Wild Card Gym in L.A.

Manny Pacquiao taking questions from the press on media day

Freddy Roach talking it up with Al Bernstein

Bobby Pacquiao preparing for his bout against Robert Frankel on November 20

Latest Boxing News www.diamondboxing.com