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 

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

BY: Robert Epstein

The hottest boxing news today was the breakdown of the Oscar De La Hoya –Manny Pacquiao negotiations for a December 6th bout at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Apparently the two sides could not reach an agreement on the percentage of the purse split. With De La Hoya only willing to give Pacquiao 30 percent of the purse and Manny wanting 40 percent a compromise could not be reached.

Pacquiao through his lawyer today informed the public that he is going to move on and seek another opponent for his next battle. Bob Arum head of Top Rank Pacquiao’s promoter will now try to lock in a November fight with Humberto Soto (44- 7, 28 KOs) of Mexico. Soto is coming off a controversial disqualification in a bout against Francisco Lorenzo In that bout which was part of the Pacquiao –David Diaz card at the Mandalay Bay on June 28. Soto knocked out Lorenzo, however, he was disqualified by referee Joe Cortez for hitting Lorenzo while he was down. The hit after the bell caused a cut on Lorenzo’s head to open and blood soaked the canvas. So it appears that Pacquiao will settle for the Soto bout which he will make several millions less dollars than if he faced De LA Hoya.

While team Golden Boy will huddle up next week to plan their next move and I believe they only have one move and it’s a move they may fear. They must dial up Antonio Margarito this is the only opponent left that will draw fan interest. Forget about Berto, Cotto and Clottey the fans will cheer a De La Hoya – Margarito slug fest. Yes De La Hoya will be an underdog in this bout but what a way to go out against the hottest boxer in the sport right now. Margarito coming off his scorching victory over Cotto is exactly what boxing requires. A De La Hoya – Margarito bout can break all pay per view records and will sell out in hours.

De La Hoya may lose actually he may get knocked out however if he pulls off the upset he will go out as a super legend. Oscar will go out on top of the boxing world beating the best in the sport right now. Why face anyone else when you can face the best, there is serious risk, however, in this sport that is all you do is put yourself at risk every single bout. Why not Oscar give the fans what they want to see a legend facing the most feared boxers in the game. If you win De LA Hoya you will be a super legend so forget the rest and have Richard Schaefer dial up Margarito.

BY: Diane Bennett

 

 

The latest news on the Manny Pacquiao – Oscar De La Hoya potential clash is that both Top Rank who represents Pacquiao and De La Hoya’s Golden Boy met on Wednesday for two hours. However, there are still several details that need to be worked out according to sources this may take several more days. They sides are still discussing the weight limits, type of gloves and the split of the purse money. If this fight deal is completed it most likely will be in Vegas at the MGM on December 6th.

Also announced today was the rescheduling of the Joe Calzaghe – Roy Jones Jr. extravaganza which will be held at the Mecca of Boxing Madison Square Garden on November 8th. The fight will be shown on HBO PPV.

Ticket notice tomorrow Friday August 8th: Ricky Hatton – Paulie Malignaggi will go on sale at www.ticketmaster.com starting at 1pm EST. Bernard Hopkins – Kelly Pavlik tickets will go on sale at www.ticketmaster.com starting at 12pm EST