Jan 29 2009
PACQUIAO V HATTON IS ON!
After what seems like an age of negotiations and squabbling between the rival camps, the deal has been signed for 2009’s first Las Vegas mega-fight, between Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton on May 2nd.
The bout will be held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, scene of Hatton’s last two Vegas bouts, a defeat to Floyd Mayweather Jr and a victory over New Yorker Paulie Malignaggi in November 2008.
Pacquiao is coming off an astonishing victory over Oscar De La Hoya at Welterweight and will drop down to 140lbs to face the IBO Light Welterweight Champion Hatton.
The purse split, the reason for the protracted negotiations is rumoured to be the 50/50 that was originally offered with both fighters likely to receive in excess of $20 million.
A promotional tour will begin soon and will cover the US and the UK, although a trip to Pacquiao’s native Philippines has not been mentioned.
I’ll keep you posted!
