Philippine Sports News and Updates

Roared on by cheering fans, holder Ricky Hatton weighed in two pounds heavier than challenger Manny Pacquiao on the eve of Sunday’s IBO light-welterweight fight.

Briton Hatton, 45-1 (32 KOs), tipped the scales right on the 140-pound (63.5 kg)limit in front of a boisterous crowd of around 4,000 at the MGM Grand Hotel.

Pacquiao, 48-3-2 (36 KOs) and widely regarded as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, weighed 138 pounds (62.60 kgs).

It will be the Filipino’s first fight as a light-welterweight.

The soccer-style atmosphere in the MGM Grand’s Garden Arena was electric as the two fighters made their way on to a raised stage for the televised weigh-in.

Hatton’s supporters repeatedly sang “Rule Britannia” and “There’s only one Ricky Hatton” while Pacquiao’s fans, slightly smaller in number, chanted “Manny, Manny, Manny.”

Crowd energy

Ten times world champion Oscar De La Hoya, who lost the final fight of his illustrious career to Pacquiao in December, was astounded by the energy displayed by the crowd.

“When you have the Brits coming over here for Ricky Hatton, this is the biggest and best (weigh-in) I’ve ever seen,” the 36-year-old ‘Golden Boy’ said.

Hatton, the underdog for Sunday’s 12-round title bout despite never losing at his natural weight of 140 pounds, paid tribute to his rowdy supporters.

“I have just heard officially that there are 25,000 of you here in Las Vegas and I can’t thank you enough,” the Manchester boxer said.

“It’s an honour to fight for you and you won’t go home disappointed.”

Pacquiao, who has won world titles in four different weight divisions, told his fans: “I just want to make you guys happy.”

• TVNZ
• Philippine Sports Central