Boxing Betting / David Croft / 11 April 2009 / Leave a comment

David Croft gives is his early views on the two of the most eagerly-awaited fights of the last few years, as British duo David Haye and Ricky Hatton take on Wladimir Klitchsko and Manny Pacquiao respectively...

Of all the weekends they could have chosen, they had to go and choose June 20th. I've been looking forward to confirmation of David Haye's heavyweight title shot at Wladimir Klitchsko's IBF and WBO belts ever since he demolished Monte Barrett last November. Looking forward to being at ringside to witness Haye in action once again. Sadly though that weekend clashes with the British Formula 1 Grand Prix so I'll be on duty at Silverstone as Haye bids to pull off the impossible. Can he beat Klitschko on his own turf? Can he inflict a 4th defeat in 56 fights on the 6 foot 6 inch Ukrainian?

He can but I have a nagging doubt in the back of my mind that for three rounds Haye will come out and fire off as much as he can in a short space of time. Using his excellent hand speed to fire off a barrage of punches, looking for the big right upper cut to put Dr Steelhammer on his back. Haye will look to give the fans what they want, but the trouble with that is if Klitchsko decides to cover up and let Haye wear himself out, he might just be in a position to dictate the rest of the fight with his jab, never allowing the British fighter in close enough to land the big punches.

Betfair's market has only just opened but looks a fair representation to me so far. Klitchsko at [1.5] and Haye at a best price of [2.84]. I hope David can win, world heavyweight boxing needs someone like him. Fast, exciting and stylish, the exact opposite of the big eastern Europeans that are dominating the scene at present. He could be the future, I'm just not sure that the future is now though.

Meanwhile over in Hollywood Team Hatton, in the build up to the fight against Manny Pacquiao, are at it again. 'I haven't seen Ricky in this frame of mind since he fought Kosta Tszyu in 2005', his father said recently, 'controlled focus'. Now it may be true, Ricky may have knuckled down to his training - he's reported to be within 10lbs of the 10 stone light welterweight limit at present - and might just go into the ring better prepared than he was against Floyd Mayweather.

But I have a nagging doubt at the back of my mind that anything that is said and done between now and May 2nd, is done purely to put more bums on sofas in front of pay per view TV on the night. You see, by the time Ricky stepped into the ring against Mayweather back in December 2007 the press had convinced us that Ricky not only stood a chance, but was without doubt the only man capable of putting that first defeat on the American's pro record. Those who sat up to watch the fight will remember that sinking feeling after the first round when it became quite apparent that the '0' on the Pretty Boy's record, was not going to go anytime soon.

Can The Hitman beat the best pound for pound fighter on the planet this time around? Not likely according to Betfair punters who have placed Pacquiao at a best price of [1.56] to Hatton's [3], but the truth is that Ricky will always have a puncher's chance, even against the man who made Oscar De La Hoya look old overnight. What he needs more than anything, and he didn't have this against Mayweather, is a plan B in case plan A is getting him nowhere. Maybe with Mr Mayweather senior in the Hatton camp a back up plan might be more forthcoming, but am I getting carried away with myself once again?

They key to this fight for me is whether Pacquiao can withstand the expected Hatton onslaught in the opening rounds? Tszyu couldn't but Mayweather did and with Ricky tiring was able to hit the british boxer at will. Pacman might not be as quick but he's not number one for nothing and he has the ability to soak up the pressure before applying plenty of his own, an ability that once unleashed could bring about a speedy end. Hence his price of [2.6] to win by KO, TKO or DQ and a best price of [16.0] to win in rounds 7,8 or 9. But if Ricky can find a way to combat Pacquiao's better foot and head movement, starting with a little more movement of his own head, those blows to the body that will surely be reigning in might just start to take effect and maybe sometime in the 9th - [21.0] with Betfair - he can pull off a stoppage of his own.

But am I just getting a little carried away? Possibly but it's hard not to. By June 20th Britain could have the best pound for pound puncher on planet earth and a new Heavyweight champion as well, what a prospect that could be.