HOLLYWOOD, California: Ricky Hatton has warned Filipino Manny Pacquiao not to underestimate the Briton's power when the fighters clash on May 2 in Las Vegas.

Hatton, who has never lost at his natural weight of 140 pounds, will defend his IBO light-welterweight title against former four-weight world champion Pacquiao.

"I respect Manny for his skills and all his power but I think he should be a bit more worried about my power," Hatton told a news conference in the glitzy surrounds of Hollywood on Monday.

"He's had one fight about 135 pounds and that was against Oscar (De La Hoya). He's a southpaw, he's got his hand speed and his footwork so I'm aware of the dangers.

"But he should certainly be worried about my power. He has won world titles in different weight divisions but down there."

Asked if he viewed Pacquiao as something of a lightweight when it came to power, Hatton (45-1, 32 KOs) replied he did not want to say too much in case it came back to bite him.

"But above all, I think it's going to be a fantastic fight. And there's no doubt my own tactics. It'll be foot forward from the first bell."

The Manchester boxer is the world's top-ranked light-welterweight following his return to the division after losing to American Floyd Mayweather Jnr. in a WBC welterweight title fight in December 2007.

"The Battle of East and West"

Mayweather, widely regarded as the leading pound-for-pound boxer at the time, retired for a second time in June 2008.

Hatton returned to the ring to stop American Paulo Malignaggi in Las Vegas in November to retain his IBO light-welterweight belt.

Pacquiao, who outclassed 10-times world champion De La Hoya in Las Vegas in December to confirm his reputation as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, said he had great respect for Hatton.

"He's a strong fighter, a good fighter and he's quick," the 30-year-old added after the duo had been introduced to their fans on a red carpet outside the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel.

"For me, this is not a regular fight. I consider this fight to be toughest of my boxing career. After all he is undefeated at 140 pounds.

While Pacquiao, 48-3-2 with 36 knockouts, was reluctant to predict the outcome of the May 2 showdown dubbed "The Battle of East and West", his trainer Freddie Roach was far from reticent.

"I think it's going to be the best three rounds you've ever seen," Roach told Reuters. "It's going to be short and sweet.

"Ricky is going to force the action and Manny is going to respond to it. But Manny is going to get him early and I believe he will knock him out in the early rounds."

Reuters

(China Daily 04/01/2009 page23)