The boxing world will take center stage once again this Saturday night with the most anticipated fight of 2009 between Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao and Ricky “Hitman” Hatton. The battle will take place at the famous MGM Grand Gardens Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The junior welter-weight bout promises to be a contest that displays fast furious punching between two of the top fighters in the world. These two fighters are among the most aggressive and quickest punchers on the planet which is certain to display some great boxing action.

Pacquiao was involved previously in one of the most anticipated fights in recent memory when he battled with the legend Oscar De La Hoya. Pacquiao dominated the fight throwing flurries that were simply too quick for De La Hoya to defend. By the time the 9th round had begun, De La Hoya with a nearly swollen shut eye threw in the towel giving the win by way of technical knockout to Pacquiao. Pacquiao is considered the best pound for pound fighter in the world and rightfully so. Pacman will be competing in his 4th different weight class in the last 4 fights as he won all previous battles. Pacquiao sports tons of speed that never goes away even late in fights. Speed so great that once De La Hoya started tiring the fight turned from bad to worse as Pacquiao was relentless with connects. Pacquiao may be among the most popular fighters in the world for his exciting fast paced style of punches. With a career record of 48-3-2, Pacquiao will be heavy favorite at -275 odds to win the fight this Saturday night.

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Ricky Hatton is another fighter that seems to have it all. The fighter out of Greater Manchester, England is very popular among the British fans. However, Hatton is being overshadowed by the Pacman crazed society. Hatton has lost only once in his 12 year career and that was to the undefeated Floyd Mayweather Jr who retired last year at the top of his game. In that fight, Hatton actually got off to a great start against the undefeated icon. Hatton landed some early punches that got Mayweather off balance. However, as the fight went on Mayweather was able to adapt and landed some punches that cut the fighter’s eye eventually leading to his defeat the only one of his career. After the fight, Mayweather called the fight “possibly the toughest of his career.” Hatton is very aggressive fighter that comes right at his opponents. On top of his stellar resume which consist of a career record of 45-1 (32 KOs), Hatton has a great asset in his corner in trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr who was also needless to say a great fighter in his day. Hatton will enter the fight as a +190 underdog and will be trying to score the same type upset Pacquiao completed over De La Hoya.

The fight has many interesting tidbits to consider if you plan on putting down a wager. Hatton is turning out to be a sizeable underdog; however he is fighting at a weight class which he has never been defeated. Pacquiao will be fighting at the 5th different weight class of his career which has not seemed to matter considering he has dominated at every division. Pacquiao is generally the smaller and quicker puncher. However, the “Hitman” is known for landing some vicious punches that can change the fight with one blow. Pacquiao should have the advantage out of the gates, but it will be interesting to see how the fight turns out if it makes it to the later rounds. Hatton could really give Pacquiao problems with his relentless in your face style of boxing while Pacman is sure to give the Hitman some issues with his speed. The over/under for the contest has been set at 9.5 rounds which is slightly later than most junior welterweight bouts last. However, this fight could be one for the ages. Major sports books are offering all types of different betting options for the fight including the fight outcome, round betting, round group betting, and if the fight will go the distance. We would definitely like to jump on the -180 side to place a bet the fight will not go the scheduled 12 rounds. With these two quick hard hitting fighters in the ring, 12 rounds seems a bit of a stretch.

Oscar De La Hoya and Manny Pacquiao will go head to head in an epic boxing match this Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas, NV. The fight marks the biggest boxing event this year between two of the sports most popular fighters. De La Hoya has been a superstar in the boxing world for many years while Pacquiao has held 4 different major titles and is trying to make his name known around the world.

Oscar De La Hoya is a very accomplished veteran and will be fighting down in the 147 pound weight class for the first time since 2001. De La Hoya has been scrutinized by critics for fighting Pacquiao and not fighting someone more closely to his 154 or 160 pound division. The fight marks the heaviest division Pacquiao has ever fought in his career at the 147lb mark. De La Hoya should have the advantage in the fight considering this is closer to his normal size weight class and his history of battling top competitors at the welterweight division. A victory for De La Hoya will not come easy as Pacquiao is known as pound for pound the best boxer on the planet.

Manny Pacquiao is a multi-division champion like De La Hoya who has a quick and aggressive style of boxing. Pacquiao started his career fighting at 106 pounds and has stayed in the 120 pound range his entire career. However, this Saturday he will step on the scales and weigh in nearly 30 pounds heavier than normal. Pacquiao likes to stay right outside his opponents reach and then attack with quick flurries of jabs and hooks staging the battle to be very exciting to watch. The tough southpaw will be trying to end this fight before the scheduled 12 rounds.

This fight is being called the “Dream Fight” by boxing enthusiast everywhere. In the midst of a recession and the emergence of mixed martial arts, this fight is expected to bring in one of the biggest revenues in recent years. HBO is televising the event exclusively on Pay Per View. The fight is expected to exceed 1.5 million viewers and possibly reach the 100 million dollar revenue which would definitely get the world of boxing back in the spotlight.

At 35 years of age Oscar De La Hoya has a career record of (39-5) with 30 knockouts. De La Hoya is figured to have the power to land another knockout if he can land a big punch this Saturday night. However, Pacquiao known as “Pac-Man” is one of the fastest hitters in boxing. Pacquiao has a (47-3-2) record with 35 wins coming by way of knockout. Pacquiao has the ability to throw an array of punches as fast automatic machine gun making him one of the most dangerous opponents to face.

De La Hoya will hold the size advantage as previously mentioned, by nearly 4 inches in height and 6 inches in reach. De La Hoya will step into the right at 5-10 ½ compared to Pacquiao standing at 5-6 ½. De La Hoya reach is measured at 73 inches while Pacquiao will be fighting with a 67 inch reach. The fight will be an epic battle of power vs. speed, and a young gun vs. the veteran. The fight could be a making or breaking point in the boxing career for Oscar De La Hoya. De La Hoya has reached 35 years of age and many think he has already hit his prime and now is slowly going down hill, while Pacquiao would love to score a high profile victory. This fight could play out huge when considering the two boxer’s careers.

Keys to Victory…
Oscar De La Hoya must keep out of range from Pacquiao’s quick burst of flurries. De La Hoya should have the advantage with footwork in the fight and will be looking to land a big punch when the opportunity is right. De La Hoya is predicted by many to be able to knock Pacquiao out if he can land a big punch early, but if this does not happen De La Hoya must be smart and try to wear down the young boxer and take him into late rounds.

Pacquiao must do the near opposite and come trying to stun the wily veteran. If Pacquiao can come out and land a few quick punches in a row, then he has the speed to surprise the world. Pacquiao must be able to stay away from De La Hoya’s reach advantage and pick his spots to attack. Pac-man will be looking to retain his stature of being the best pound for pound boxer in the world when he goes for the knockout Saturday night.

Current Fight Odds…
As for the current fight odds, the Bookies are favoring the “Golden Boy” De La Hoya in the fight to be able and handle the young aggressive but perhaps undersized Pacquiao. Bodog Sportsbook has numerous ways to bet on the fight including live round by round betting. Bodog‘s current odds have De La Hoya is listed as the favorite with a betting line of -170; while Pacquiao listed at +140 as the underdog. The over/under total for rounds in the fight is set at 9 ½ rounds. Taking the under odds are listed at -190 and if you decide to take the over the odds will stand at +155.

Fight Prediction:
A loss here would really tarnish De La Hoya’s amazing career and reputation. The veteran will most likely find a way to get it done with a probable knockout in the 7 or 8th round. Take De La Hoya and bet it at Bodog who currently has the best line at -170. Most books are leveling off at-180 for the ‘Golden Boy’. Enjoy the fight.