RICKY HATTON V MANNY PACQUIAO
Venue: MGM Grand, Las Vegas, USA
Date: Sunday 3 May
Start: Approx: 0400 BST Coverage: Full commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live, reports and photos on BBC Sport website, TV coverage on Sky Sports (pay-per-view)

By Ben Dirs

Manchester's light-welterweight king Ricky Hatton fights Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao at Las Vegas' MGM Grand Casino in the early hours of Sunday morning, UK time.

BBC Sport asked some of the biggest names in British boxing for their big-fight predictions.

"Hatton has taken his career to new heights with his new trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr and a more professional, healthy approach to living between fights.

"I see Hatton winning a very close, hard-fought decision. He may have to get off the floor but he will find a way to win."

"Ricky has been a great ambassador for British boxing for many years and I'll put a couple of bob on him but you can't change Ricky, he's set in how he boxes.

"He goes forward, he's a pressure fighter and against Pacquiao he'll do what he's always done - and Pacquiao, who's a tremendously talented fighter, will be too fast for him."

"It's going to be a tough fight for Ricky but he's got a better chance of beating Manny than Floyd Mayweather Jr [who beat Hatton in 2007].

"Ricky definitely has the height advantage against Pacquiao, so if he can close the range and cut him down he has a great chance of winning. He's got to take his chance."

"Hatton should win because he's bigger and heavier - and he's no slouch himself. Hatton found it hard moving up and now Pacquiao is doing the same.

"The first three rounds might be a bit flashy and fast for him but he'll wear Pacquiao down, which is why Hatton will win in the latter rounds."

"I think Pacquiao will cause Hatton all sorts of problems but he hasn't got Floyd Mayweather's speed or skills and Hatton's still the best light-welterweight in the world.

"Pacquiao's fast but he's busy and in your face and that should suit Hatton down to the ground. It will be Hatton's hardest fight ever but he'll have too much."

"Ricky has got a very difficult job ahead of him. He's the underdog and he's going to struggle but I think he is going to pull it off.

"He's bigger and stronger than Pacquiao and if the referee lets him fight his fight, which is a rough, dirty, pub-brawl type of fight, he'll rough him up and he'll beat him."

"It's a fantastic fight and one that I would pay to see. It's 50-50 and depends on whoever sticks to their game plan on the night.

"If Pacquiao goes out and boxes Hatton he will win on a points decision but if Hatton can draw Pacquaio into a fight, he is a bigger and stronger man and I believe he will be victorious."

"It's a pick'em fight, with Pacquiao's speed and combinations against Hatton's strength and power, although Floyd Mayweather Sr has done a good job in making Hatton more subtle.

"But Hatton will have to attack and use his relentlessness, it won't be won on boxing ability. If forced to make a prediction, I'd say Hatton on points."

"I have to admit I don't like Hatton's chances. Boxing at light-welterweight will suit Hatton but it will favour Pacquiao more.

"Pacquiao will be that bit quicker than he was against Oscar de la Hoya at welterweight - and even stronger."

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