Hatton v Pacquiao set for May 2nd

[ALI]

Whats up guys, are you all still recovering from festive hangovers or what D

Seconds Out ran an article on January 1st which quotes Bob Arum as saying Hatton v Pacquiao is a done deal for Vegas on May 2nd so i'm a little surprised to find nobody on here is taking about it. I'm just back from a 2 week winter break and just got the news now and its got me excited. Sure, we new it was a big possabilty, but the Pac Man had other options, most notably Mayweather Jr if he decided to come out of retierment for it.

This is going to be a massive event and another mega night of boxing for all of us brits to get hyped up about. There's usually only one or two fights a year that really get me hanging of the end of my seat, and this will definate'ly be 'the one' for 2009. I'll favour Pacquiao going in, probably 65/35 in his favour, but i'm hoping there could be one more great performance in store from the Hitman. He'll do better than Oscar did thats for sure!

Its not announced 'officially' yet, but by all reports its as good as on! Lets get ready to rumble.........

[Shirow]

I've heard that Bob Arum stopped off in Dubai on his way back from the Phillipines to look at arenas there. I know there's a 40k arena there and apparently there are lots of Filipinos there (not just aupairs i presume) and it would be a cheaper tripfor the UK fans than Vegas (despite what the H
Hattons might say to the contrary )
Also the fact that they decided to close down a quarter of the arena for the Malignaggi fight to disguise the low ticket sales may be a contributing factor to looking elsewhere.

So it's not definte yet though i expect Vegas to win as usual.

[Cannibal]

"Lance Pugmire of the LA Times reported today that Ricky Hatton has agreed to fight in Las Vegas against Manny Pacquiao. One of the final hurdles for the fight to take place was the location. Hatton and his team were pushing for the fight to be held in the U.K. but finally agreed to take it to Sin City, according to Richard Schaefer of Golden Boy Promotions.

"Ricky's preference was the U.K., but he's realized that was not the best place for this fight, just like the Philippines wasn't," Schaefer told the LA Times. "This is right in the middle."

Though the fight is yet to be officially signed, it appears that both Top Rank and GBP have agreed to all of the terms and we may see an announcement shortly. "

[Chambers2]

I've heard that Bob Arum stopped off in Dubai on his way back from the Phillipines to look at arenas there. I know there's a 40k arena there and apparently there are lots of Filipinos there (not just aupairs i presume) and it would be a cheaper tripfor the UK fans than Vegas

You can get 2 months for farting in public over in Dubai, the Hatton rabble would fill the cells before the fights kicked off.

Hatton Vs Pacquiao is a quality fight at 140, I'm looking forward to it. I think Pacman will have the edge on him and will win by KO, but it should be a great spectacle

[Poncey]

I've heard that Bob Arum stopped off in Dubai on his way back from the Phillipines to look at arenas there. I know there's a 40k arena there and apparently there are lots of Filipinos there (not just aupairs i presume) and it would be a cheaper tripfor the UK fans than Vegas

You can get 2 months for farting in public over in Dubai, the Hatton rabble would fill the cells before the fights kicked off.

Hatton Vs Pacquiao is a quality fight at 140, I'm looking forward to it. I think Pacman will have the edge on him and will win by KO, but it should be a great spectacle

I've heard Dubai now too. All I need to do is get out of a we4dding and I'm there! D

[Shirow]

I've heard that Bob Arum stopped off in Dubai on his way back from the Phillipines to look at arenas there. I know there's a 40k arena there and apparently there are lots of Filipinos there (not just aupairs i presume) and it would be a cheaper tripfor the UK fans than Vegas

You can get 2 months for farting in public over in Dubai, the Hatton rabble would fill the cells before the fights kicked off.

I can't believe that that didn't occur to me it would be carnage. If the sums add up though i don't expect that will stop it from happening...

[DavidPayne]

The Man City connection, is their new money from Dubai? It is I think.....

[earsjohn]

The Man City connection, is their new money from Dubai? It is I think.....

Close. Their owner is from Abu Dhabi and fronts a private equity group called Abu Dhabi United Group. He's married to the daughter of the ruler of Dubai.

[Max Molyneux]

Lol Hatton fans won't be as lively In Dubai as they can be In Vegas.

[Bomber 1]

Don't like this fight.. I think Pac Man is all wrong for Ricky!!

All I see is a Pac Man stoppage.. :(

[Deserter]

I've heard that Bob Arum stopped off in Dubai on his way back from the Phillipines to look at arenas there. I know there's a 40k arena there and apparently there are lots of Filipinos there (not just aupairs i presume) and it would be a cheaper tripfor the UK fans than Vegas (despite what the H
Hattons might say to the contrary )
Also the fact that they decided to close down a quarter of the arena for the Malignaggi fight to disguise the low ticket sales may be a contributing factor to looking elsewhere.

So it's not definte yet though i expect Vegas to win as usual.

No chance of it taking place in Dubai in my opinion, for the following reasons:

1) Lots of Filipinos in Dubai, but all in 'service occupations' earning a pittance (maids etc). Couldn't afford ticket prices.
2) No fanbase for boxing there.
3) It would be more expensive than Vegas as hotel rates are higher than Vegas as there are no gambling revenues to offset any reduction in the rack rate.
4) At the beginning of May temperatures would be getting unpleasantly hot.
5) Although previously thought immune, Dubai is now experiencing the credit crunch as well - lots of construction projects put on hold, redundancies etc. So wrong time to be trying to 'break' boxing in the ME.

Having said all that I wish it was true as I'm moving back there on Saturday

[stujones]

So much for it being all about Oscar and it being Pacquiao vs Mayweather and Oscar vs Hatton.

[Maelstrom]

Seconds Out ran an article on January 1st which quotes Bob Arum as saying Hatton v Pacquiao is a done deal for Vegas on May 2nd so i'm a little surprised to find nobody on here is taking about it.

Don't be surprised. Who is going to have read it if it was on SecondsOut?

[whiskey]

Its May 2nd.

Definitely Vegas.

;;-)