Ojeda's intriguing theory

Former boxing judge and retired Philippine Airlines purser Jose Mari Ojeda has an intriguing theory in analyzing what could happen in the Manny Pacquiao-Ricky Hatton duel in Las Vegas this weekend.

Ojeda thinks Hatton will be up to no good and Pacquiao should be wary of the Hitman’s tricks.

In his theory, Ojeda says Hatton will come out smoking and try to get an early lead on points. Hatton is known as a bulldozing brawler so it’s expected that he’ll be aggressive from the onset. He’ll flail away with both fists and target Pacquiao’s midsection in his usual come-forward style.

Ojeda, whose father Manuel was one of the owners of the ‘60s boxing outfit Gold Medal Promotions (the other principals were Luis Tabuena, Rosauro Gabaldon and Napoleon Medalla), warns Pacquiao to stay on his toes because Hatton will play dirty.

Ojeda says trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr.’s presence in Hatton’s corner is a negative influence.

“Mayweather reminds me of Sandy Saddler,” notes Ojeda. “They look and think alike. That’s what I’m worried about. Remember what Saddler did to Flash Elorde? He butted and cut up Elorde’s eyebrows to win by technical knockout.”

Ojeda says Pacquiao shouldn’t allow Hatton a “head” start.

“If Hatton gets an early lead, he’ll wait until the end of the fourth round then try to butt Manny, hoping the referee will stop the fight and declare whoever is ahead on points the winner,” continues Ojeda. “Of course, Hatton will be disqualified if the referee rules he butted deliberately. But he can make his butting appear accidental. That’s where the danger lies.”

A bout that is stopped inside four rounds because of an accidental butt is declared an automatic technical draw. But beyond four rounds, it goes to the scorecards.

To avoid falling into Hatton’s trap, Ojeda advises Pacquiao to stay away from the ropes, use his jab and bring the action to the center of the ring where he can control the exchanges.

“You can be sure that Hatton will lean on Manny, like Muhammad Ali used to do in tiring out his opponents,” says Ojeda. “Hatton’s bigger so he’ll use his body to push Manny to the ropes or into a corner where he can bang away. But Manny’s too quick and too smart. He won’t let Hatton dictate what will happen in the fight.”

Ojeda says if Pacquiao fights true to form, there’s no way Hatton can pull an upset.

Ojeda recalls getting a judge’s license from the GAB because it was his free ticket to watch the fights.

“My father was very active in promoting fights and I remember one of Gold Medal’s protégés was a young Roberto Cruz who later became the world junior welterweight champion,” says Ojeda. “I used to judge undercard fights, not the main events. I learned to judge from my father. It’s been years since I was a judge but I’d like to renew my license if it’s possible because I love boxing and if there’s a way I can contribute to its progress, I’ll gladly devote my time.”

An avid golfer, Ojeda is fondly called The General.

“One of my friends Lito Guidotti nicknamed me the General,” he says. “The nickname stuck so that now, everyone calls me The General. Even Eddie Gutierrez and all the caddies in the Alabang Country Club know me as The General. But no one has ever saluted me.”

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IBF flyweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr.’s next opponent could be WBO superflyweight titleholder Jose (Carita) Lopez of Puerto Rico.

“I’d like to move up to superflyweight (115 pounds) and fight Carita or even Fernando Montiel at bantamweight (118),” said Donaire. “I feel there’s a lot more I can do in the higher divisions.”

Lopez, 37, hasn’t lost in his last 16 outings. Last March, he outpointed Thailand’s Pramuansak Posuwan to win the vacant WBO crown, raising his record to 39-7-2, with 32 KOs.

Donaire flew out last Tuesday night but plans to return here in a few weeks.

“I want to start training right away,” he said. “My trainers are in Manila – the Peñalosa brothers. We’re staying together. I can still learn much more from them.”

On Gerry Peñalosa’s failed attempt to dethrone WBO superbantamweight champion Juan Manuel Lopez last Saturday, Donaire said the Puerto Rican was just too big for the challenger.

“I think there’s a lot of fight left in Gerry,” said Donaire. “If he wants to, he can clean up the bantamweight division. But he’ll have to believe in himself, that he can win again. Gerry’s a tactician and he couldn’t hurt Lopez who was much bigger. He tried to stick close to Lopez and dig to the body but Lopez just overpowered him.”

Regarding his latest knockout victim Raul Martinez, Donaire said he earned his respect.

“He told me he never imagined I could be so fast and so strong, that he’s now my big fan,” said Donaire. “I didn’t want to disappoint the fans. I went out there with a challenger’s mindset. I felt like I had nothing to lose and I gave it all I had.”

Donaire said after resting his battered left hand a few days, it was 95 percent back to normal. “I’m ready to go back to the gym,” said Donaire before taking off for San Francisco.