Yeah, yeah, yeah...that's what they all say! While I'm sure Ricky Hatton says what he means and means what he says, I'm a little concerned that he may be falling into the same trap that all of Manny Pacquiao's previous opponents have fallen into. It's one thing to downplay the speed, power and technical skills that Pacquiao possesses, but it's a whole other thing to take it for granted. Check out comments that some of Pacquiao's previous opponents made leading up to their bouts and compare them to comments that Hatton himself has recently made.
ERIK MORALES
"I think that's the key to the whole thing, who'll be able to control the tempo."
"It's just a question of being ready to go 12 rounds, a hard 12 rounds, and have the condition to do so and I think I do have the condition to go 12 rounds with him."
"I feel real strong, and I think that's going to be the key."
"It was a mistake to have done all those, all those changes at one time, but we went back to basics."
" I know I'm going to be 100 percent. I feel real good. I think I've worked real hard for the last three months and I'm ready."
MARCO ANTONIO BARRERA
"You know, the big difference I think from the first fight and this fight is the preparation."
"You know, sometimes experience beats a young guy that's at his peak. And that's what I have. I have a lot of experience."
"It's about using my experience and doing my plan of fight and that's what's going to help me be victorious."
"But this fight, the difference is going to be that...the inspiration within me."
"The difference in this fight is that training has been great. It's been great. I've had a great training camp."
JUAN MANUEL MARQUEZ
"My age won't be an issue in the fight."
"I feel so strong, so prepared for this fight."
"I think I have more speed."
"I can tell you that I'm a better fighter. I'm a more technical fighter."
"I consider myself better than Manny Pacquiao because I'm a better boxer, a better fighter."
DAVID DIAZ
"Whoever is in top condition is going to end up winning this fight."
"I want to be in great condition so I can go the distance because that's what I feel this fight's going to end up being."
"And if he does come out crazy, then I'll be there to meet him too, because I can get a little crazy myself."
"We see a couple of things there that we could expose."
"I think we're going to match up pretty much the same."
OSCAR DE LA HOYA
"I understand the relentless style he has, I understand the speed he has."
"The timing is going to be very important in this fight. I am going to time his speed and punches and match him no problem."
"I have speed and power too."
"I think whoever catches who first is going down."
"I'll be in the best shape of my life...we just have to figure out how we can be faster than many that night."
RICKY HATTON
"I've always said at 140 pounds, I believe that I'm too strong, I'm too big."
"I strongly believe I would be as fast as Manny."
"I think there's a lot of technical ability that he should be a little bit worried about as well come fight night."
"I am going to be the biggest man that Manny has faced."
"I won't be bothered by his aggression and feel ready to take it on."
"Whoever ends up going backwards is going to lose."
Will Hatton fall prey to the same mistakes that other opponents have made? Time will tell, but judging from some of his comments, it sounds like Hatton, like so many other opponents, may be in for a suprise come May 2nd.
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