Ricky Hatton predicts ‘exciting’ dustup as he headlines Primetime’s coverage of Manny Pacquiao-Timothy Bradley
British boxing legend Ricky Hatton will be on hand to share his thoughts during Primetime’s exclusive coverage of Manny Pacquiao vs. Timothy Bradley on Saturday June 9th, live on Primetime.
Hatton will be joined in the studio alongside the ever entertaining Steve Bunce and fight game expert Ronald McIntosh. All three are sure to provide a unique and in-depth analysis ahead of what is set to be a great night of boxing from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Two-time world champion, Hatton, has been in with the very best and knows better than anyone what Bradley is up against when he takes on Pacquiao having faced, and lost, against the diminutive Filipino himself in 2009.
However, the ‘Hitman’ believes that Bradley has all the tools to make it a tough night for the reigning WBO welterweight world champion and thinks we may be in for something very special when the two go head-to-head.
“Manny Pacquiao is the number one pound-for-pound fighter in the world and he goes into this fight as the favorite but Timothy Bradley is a very slick and tidy boxer so this isn’t going to be an easy fight for him.
“Against Junior Witter we saw how well schooled Bradley was and how he was able to figure out his style so quickly so I think he will cause Pacquiao some problems,” said Hatton.
Pacquiao-Bradley Video Preview
“I think style wise this could be an even better matchup than the recent fight between Floyd Mayweather and Miguel Cotto. Mayweather is exceptional defensively and makes you miss but Pacquiao is a lot more exciting and when you put him in with Bradley style wise it makes for a great fight,” he said.
Hatton believes that Bradley’s ability to adjust is what is going to make the fight a difficult one for the world champion, especially if the American is able to show the same counter punching skills that Juan Manuel Marquez did in his close points decision loss to Pacquiao last November.
“Manny needs to come back with a big performance after the fight with Marquez which many thought he lost, myself included,” he said.
“Fighters who have a good defense and are counter punchers are those that have caused Manny the most problems. I think Bradley is going to use his boxing ability and box on the back foot and that’s where he’s going to cause Manny a few problems,” Hatton said.
“Bradley will need to have more than just one game plan going into this fight. Everyone is expecting Manny Pacquiao to blast Bradley out but I don’t think it will be easy. I expect Manny to win but it will be an exciting fight,” he added.
