Asian Journal- The Filipino-American Community Newspaper

HOLLYWOOD—IT was an arrival fit for Hollywood stars.

The Pride of the Philippines Manny Pacquiao and the Pride of Manchester Ricky Hatton walked down the red carpet along Hollywood Boulevard in front of the Roosevelt Hotel, with flash bulbs blinding their eyes and the sounds of fans cheering them on.

More than 200 exuberant people lined the streets of Hollywood on March 30, Monday night to witness the first of what will be many upcoming promotions for the Pacquiao vs. Hatton fight scheduled for May 2 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

"This is big," said Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer, who had just finished talking to guests Academy Award nominee Mickey Rourke, and actor Mark Wahlberg, who were in attendance. "This fight is Hollywood big."

Dubbed the Battle of East and West, Pacquiao, the pound-4-pound king, and Hatton, the 140-pound Lightweight champion, were overwhelmed by the large turnout and the ritzy red carpet opening.

"I’m glad to be here tonight," said Pacquiao. "It’s my first time to be here on a red carpet. There are so many people here. I’m surprised. Maybe there are a lot of people who love boxing in this area."

If the Pacquiao vs. Hatton championship fight matches the excitement at the Roosevelt, fans should expect a good brutal fight.

During the press conference, Hatton and Pacquiao admitted to a pool of reporters that neither of them is going to back down once they step inside the ring.

"The style of both of us kind of looks similar," said Pacquiao. "There’s going to be a lot of action in the ring. You never know who is going to win that night."

"Pacquiao is not going to back down," added Hatton. "I’m not going to back down."

Most boxing pundits and analysts are predicting a Pacquiao win. Many of the pundits, after watching Pacquiao’s dismantling of Oscar De La Hoya with speed and relentlessness believe that Hatton’s slow and power style lends itself for an easy Pacquiao victory. Even Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach is predicting a quick and easy 3rd round knockout.

"If he fights like he has in the past, bullying in, Manny is going to knock him out," said Roach.

However, Hatton and his trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr. said that Pacquiao is vulnerable to damaging attacks especially to the body.

Mayweather Sr., who was booed during the introduction by the primarily pro-Pacquiao crowd at the Roosevelt, said that he’s convinced if Pacquiao comes charging in as he has in so many fights, Hatton will take him down.