Pacquiao Hatton 24/7 Episode 1

Pro Fighting Fans has released our Pacquiao Hatton preview!

The fight between Ricky Hatton and Manny Pacquiao is less than a month away, and the promotional gears have begun to be turn. The first episode of the reality series 24/7 premiered last night. The multipart show takes a close look into the lives of both fighters in their preparation for the big fight.

Both Hatton and Pacquiao have been involved in 24/7 before. Hatton was in 24/7 for his fight with Floyd Mayweather and Pacquiao for his fight with Oscar De La Hoya. As the two men now prepare to square off against each other, episode 1 treated us to a glimpse into their very different lives.

While Manny Pacquiao's roots in the Phillipines are well known, what caught me by surprise was not the size of his house or the scope of his popularity (he's a larger celebrity in that country than any single person could ever be in this country) but the armed guards with automatic weapons patrolling the gated wall to his home.

Pacquiao considers himself a man of the people and donates much of his money and time towards charities and the poor people across the Phillipines and in the community where he grew up. But apparently his status has reached such a height that he has now turned to an army of soldiers to protect himself and his family.

Ricky Hatton meanwhile may have an army of soldiers protecting him, but they are his drinking partners from the local watering hole he so frequently visits while not in training camp. Hatton has now been training with Floyd Mayweather Sr., an interesting twist of fate following his knockout loss to the former pound for pound king Mayweather Jr.

The two men, as different as they can, seem to get along well since they have figured one another out a bit. Whether Mayweather's tactics and teachings will help Hatton beat Pacquiao is of course another matter. Yet, they seem confident with one another and with what each one of them brings to the table.

A recap of the Pacquiao and Oscar De La Hoya fight reminded me of just how complete and brutal that victory was. Oscar never had so much as a moment in that fight, and Pacquiao beat him up like he had never been before. It was also a reminder though of how weight drained Oscar was for that fight. Especially since trainer Freddie Roach commented on such.

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Roach and Pacquiao have now been a team for 18 fights and it's been an extraordinarily accomplished and entertaining run. Roach has now brought in former heavyweight champion Michael Moorer into his camp and there are already a few grumblings about how he might mesh into the established routine. (Read our February 2009 interview with Freddie Roach) However, I do not see this as having any bearing on the fight whatsoever.

The promotional drums are beating now after the first episode of Pacquiao Hatton 24/7, and it will be interesting to see how the two camps evolve as the fight draws closer.

By Jake Emen
ProFighting-fans.com Staff Writer & Director of Boxing Content