Another Step Towards Greatness: Manny Pacquiao Vs Ricky Hatton

Its just two days until the big match up between Ricky Hatton and Manny Pacquiao. An incredible match-up in its own right, our tastebuds for this fight have only been teased by the constant media coverage it has recieved.

One can only wonder what its like in Las Vegas right now with all of the Englishmen flocking to the States to watch their fellow countryman clash against the pound for pound best fighter in the game right now. Whatever the case may be, all one truly can ask for out of all of this build-up, is for an exciting fight on Saturday Night's Pay Per View show.

Around this time last year, Ricky Hatton was preparing for his return to the ring after a humbling defeat at the hands of Floyd "Money" Mayweather just six months beforehand. There were many questions concerning Hatton's situation and whether or not he would be able to rebound from such a devistating defeat.

Having returned to his natural weight class, would he be able to continue his evident dominance in said weight class, or would the loss effect him so much mentally that he would have to seriously consider the very real talk of retirement that was suggested to him six months previous.

Hatton would go on to achieve a workmanlike, yet unimpressive victory against Juan Lazcano in which he showed weaknesses and was hurt on several occasions by the same shot that knocked him out in the Mayweather fight, the left hook. Surely this was not all that was left of Ricky Hatton.

Hopefully, the British Native had something left in the tank. Eventually, changes were made in the Hatton Camp, mainly a trainer change that would prove to benefit Ricky Hatton in his next match against the elusive Paulie Malignaggi.

Under the watchful eye of Floyd Mayweather Sr., certain aspects of Ricky Hatton's fighting style were honed and conditioned to make him a more efficient fighting machine rather than just a raging bull. These would prove useful in this fight as over 11 rounds, Ricky Hatton would batter and bully a completely overmatched Malignaggi until finally Buddy Mcgirt threw in the towel, having watched his fighter get punished enough. Ricky Hatton was officially BACK!

Around this time last year, Manny Pacquiao was preparing for what would be a short lived campaign at 135. He would make his debut in devastating fashion by completely pounding out David Diaz in a nine round massacre which ended with Diaz laying face first on the canvas. Those who questioned whether or not Pacquiao would be able to carry his power up in weight with him had just recieved their answer.

Manny would then go on to sign a deal to face Oscar De La Hoya in a match that was completely one sided in terms of competition. Pac-Man cut through De La Hoya like a hot knife through butter.

While most experts were critical of this match, claiming the Golden Boy was trying to pull off his best "Golden Bully" impression, it would go on to bite De La Hoya in his side.

Pacquiao completely pummeled Oscar for 8 straight rounds. When Oscar refused to answer the bell at the beginning of the 9th, the crown of Pound for Pound Best fighter on the planet was passed on to Manny Pacquiao.