It was a quick fight that stunned everyone.

The fight ended early as Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao knocks out Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton twice in the first round, and later permanently in the second round. British fans were left stunned, including the parents of the Briton fighter who flew all the way from Manchester to watch the fight, when Hatton kisses the floor.

We saw the fight at the Mag.net cafe in High Street in Fort Bonifacio, courtesy of Nike Philippines. A large screen was set up and everyone were seated in little, comfortable plastic chairs. Iced tea was served and some pasta. But since we were too excited to see the fight, we hurriedly finished our meal and got ready to watch and live blog the event. (Good thing there was wi-fi).

The crowd started trickling in at around 10 a.m. Some people clapped as Pacquiao was introduced. But as the round began, every punch that landed on Hatton came with grunts from the crowd, followed by loud cheers. People stood and cheered, some for Hatton, mostly for Pacquiao.

Then came the right hook that sent Hatton to the floor. He was wobbly. He was obviously stunned. Meanwhile, the crowd at Mag.net was getting louder. Everybody stood as the Briton fighter went down twice in the first round.

Second round came. It was a short battle. Amid the flurry of punches, Pacquiao was able to sneak in a powerful left hook to the jaw of Hatton that floored him permanently. That was the end of the fight. The parents of Hatton were stunned. The Filipino crowd went ecstatic, including those watching from Mag.net in High Street.

UPDATE: Various reports posted on Pacland, a website dedicated to Manny Pacquiao, indicates that the fight is on.

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By Cedelf P. Tupas
Philippine Daily Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines — A day after promoters declared the fight has been called off after an impasse over the prize money, Filipino icon Manny Pacquiao has agreed to accept the offer to fight British superstar Ricky Hatton on May 2, a report on philboxing.com said.

The report quoting Pacquiao’s close friend and confidante Rex “Wakee” Salud said the Filipino idol was convinced when told that he would receive a $12 million guarantee and 52 percent of the pay-per-view shares.

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By Agence France-Presse

MANILA–A planned May 2 showdown between Britain’s Ricky Hatton and Philippines star Manny Pacquiao has been called off after two of the sport’s top draws failed to agree on how to split the purse.

“Basically, the two camps could not agree on the purse,” Pacquiao aide Jeng Gacal told reporters in Manila on Thursday of the reported 24-million-dollar kitty for what had been billed as one of the biggest fights in years.

Pacquiao, the WBC lightweight champion considered the best pound-for-pound fighter on the planet, let a Wednesday night Hatton deadline lapse on the Briton’s final offer of a 52-48 split in the Filipino’s favour.

“Manny did not sign it,” Gacal added, confirming earlier reports the mega fight, scheduled to take place in Las Vegas, was off.

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By Cedelf P. Tupas
Philippine Daily Inquirer

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines—Manny Pacquiao on Saturday rejected a fresh proposal for a 52-48 revenue sharing with British superstar Ricky Hatton in their 140-lb battle in May.

And the latest twist in the negotiations could open the door for Floyd Mayweather Jr., whose handlers, Pacquiao disclosed, have been communicating with his camp for a possible match that could lure the former pound-for-pound king out of his retirement.

But Pacquiao isn’t about to give up on the Hatton fight just yet.

“Kita mo, nagbago din sila (You see, they changed their minds),” Pacquiao said with a laugh as if to stress that he is still the draw in this planned super fight pitting the world’s top pound-for-pound fighter against the king of the junior welterweight division.

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