No Hoya weight slipup, Hatton insists in buildup

MANILA, Philippines - Ricky Hatton won’t make the same mistake Oscar dela Hoya did as boxing’s Golden Boy prepared for his fight with Manny Pacquiao last December.

“De La Hoya was a prime example of that [losing too much weight too early],” Hatton told Gareth David of The Telegraph in an exclusive interview.

Hatton, of course, was referring to Dela Hoya dropping down in weight too soon, and by the time he needed to replenish after the weigh-in his body refused.

Dela Hoya, who fought a couple of fights at 160 lbs when he agreed to face Pacquiao at 147 lbs, weighed in at 145 and could only gain two pounds in the next 24 hours.

Pacquiao, on the other hand, weighed in at 142 lbs and climbed the ring at 148 1/2 lbs, and against all expectations climbed the ring heavier than Dela Hoya who is four inches taller.

The result: a staggering eighth-round knockout by Pacquiao.

“Oscar is a great friend of mine, but he made mistakes before that fight. He got down too early and was unable to put the weight back on.

“What Oscar did makes me more determined not to make the same mistake. I’m 140 lbs when I step on the scales and within hours I’m back to 148/149 lbs,” said Hatton.

He said he felt insulted when Pacquiao, or at least his trainer, Freddie Roach, said Hatton will get knocked out inside three rounds.

“Bearing in mind that he has fought a lot smaller men than me, and I have been in with a few monsters, Manny would look like one The Borrowers stood next to Luis Collazo, for example.

“I’m not saying Manny can’t knock me out, but if anyone is going to win in three rounds, I think I would be the safer bet to do that to him,” Hatton vowed.

The pride of Manchester, who was at 154 lbs less than two weeks ago, is now down to 150, just 10 lbs over the limit, with inside four weeks left before the May 2 fight.

Pacquiao is down to 147 or 148, and should find no trouble making it at 140 for the weigh-in. Hatton said he plans to climb the ring no more than 154 lbs.

“I will be the biggest fighter Manny would ever face,” he said.

“I’m 10 pounds over the limit at the minute, my diet is fantastic now, and you need that because there is nothing worse than doing a gruelling training session and having to watch what you put in your mouth afterwards,” he told The Telegraph.

“And there is no chance I’m overtraining. I feel very good, very relaxed and where I wanted to be at this point,” he assured.

What’s good news for Hatton is bad news for Pacquiao.