No stopping Pacquiao-Hatton megafight

MANILA, Philippines – Not even the Influenza A H1N1 virus scare could stop the Manny Pacquiao-Ricky Hatton bout on Sunday at the MGM Grand Garden Arene in Las Vegas. Reports reached the Philippines that organizers of boxing’s biggest event this year had cancelled the fight, dubbed “The Battle of East and West", after Las Vegas has one confirmed case of the deadly swine flu. In a report by Chino Trinidad and Connie Sison at 24 Oras, they assured the fight would push through and Pacquiao’s fans should not be worried in the Filipino ring icon’s condition. Trinidad said Pacquiao is in good condition and his trainers are making sure that nothing bad would ever happen to their boxing idol. Even Hatton was reportedly seen in a good fighting mood. Sison said that Team Pacquiao is ensuring Pacman’s safety and they have beefed up measures so no one from Pacquiao’s inner circle would get infected. Dr. Allan Recto, Pacquiao’s personal physician, even told the reigning pound-for-pound king to avoid crowded places and regularly take his vitamins. Team Pacquiao also changed the 9:00 p.m. curfew to 8:00 p.m. at Pacquiao’s Mandalay Bay suite. As an added precautionary measure, they also stationed one of their personnel to give visitors a hand sanitizer upon entering Pacquiao’s suite. Pacquiao expected to make weight Trinidad said that Pacquiao is expected to make the 140-lb. weight limit since he is a natural featherweight (135lbs). The weigh-in will be held 3:00 p.m. Friday (early Saturday morning in Manila) also at the MGM Grand Arena. Pacquiao officially ended his three-month long training Thursday after running for 10 laps around the University of Nevada, Las Vegas track oval. He also did the usual plyometrics and shadow boxing. Pacquiao unofficially weighed in at 139lbs after his training. Clinton is Pacman fan Former US President Bill Clinton turns out to be a Pacquiao fan after he personally wished the General Santos City native good luck before he climbs the ring on Saturday. The meeting lasted 10 minutes. Clinton, who was also billeted at the Four-Seasons Hotel, was in Las Vegas for the Global Recycling Convention. Also present in the meeting are Department of Environment and Natural Resources secretary Lito Atienza, deputy National Security Adviser Chavit Singson, assistant trainer Michael Moorer and adviser Michael Koncz. – GMANews.TV