Boxer Ricky Hatton describes meeting Muhammad Ali as one of the ‘proudest moments’ of his career »

Boxing Betting – Why Jones Jr. Will Dominate Lacy » The Jones Jr. vs. Lacy odds match-up is set to get boxing back into the mix after several UFC events have taken the spotlight – but not many online betting cappers are clamoring about this contest… Attell “The Gun” Brunn, www.betonline.com

It’s Time To Get Behind Boxing » CARL FROCH fears boxing will be left on the ropes if British fans are denied the chance to see the Super Six series on TV… GAVIN GLICKSMAN, www.thesun.co.uk

Ricky Hatton Would Want Promoter’s Role To Fight Amir Khan » Ricky Hatton has given the clearest indication yet that he would be willing to fight Amir Khan – as long as he is able to promote the bout himself… Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Photo: Tom Casino

Ricky Hatton Aims To Get Jump On Manny Pacquiao In Las Vegas Fight » If it is a legacy that Ricky Hatton craves, then there will be no greater opportunity than the chance to defeat Manny Pacquiao in the world’s fight capital at the MGM Grand Garden Arena… Gareth Davies, www.telegraph.co.uk

Possible Mayweather return looms over Hatton-Pacquiao » LAS VEGAS, Nevada (AFP) — Ricky Hatton and Manny Pacquiao both look to make history in their boxing blockbuster on Saturday but the winner’s richest prize could be a showdown with retired unbeaten Floyd Mayweather Jr… AFP

Predictions: Manny Pacquiao vs. Ricky Hatton » Here are some predictions on the much anticipated Manny Pacquiao-Ricky Hatton fight, tomorrow night, live, on HBO PPV… Robert Cassidy, newsday.com

“I’m hot. Somebody is going to have to step up to the plate if they want to eat. All of those guys, they’ve got to call me out now. I’m tired of calling people out.” —Paul Williams

Paul Williams Ready For Anything After Impressive Win Over Winky Wright » The Canadian Press

Oscar De La Hoya To Make A Career Announcement Tomorrow » Tomorrow at noon, Oscar De La Hoya will be at the Nokia Live Plaza in downtown Los Angeles to make a big announcement regarding his career plans. Since his loss to Manny Pacquiao in December, many have been wondering what De La Hoya’s next move will be… Ramon Aranda, www.411mania.com

Ricky Hatton Pays Tribute To Man Who Got Career Back On Track » Three weeks from the latest big night of his career, Ricky Hatton believes that he is entering his greatest period. Few outside Hatton’s team are tipping him to beat Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas on May 2, but belief inside the Hatton camp is strong. A year ago, many were writing off the world No 1 light-welterweight as a man on the slide, but Hatton believes that it is his partnership with Floyd Mayweather Sr, his new trainer, that has breathed new life into his career… Ron Lewis, www.timesonline.co.uk

Manny Pacquiao Promises ‘Once In A Lifetime Fight’ Vs. Ricky Hatton » In a telephone interview with FanHouse, Manny Pacquiao, widely regarded as the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world, talked about his dominant win over Oscar De La Hoya, his upcoming fight with Ricky Hatton (Saturday, May 2 on HBO pay-per-view) and what it’s like to be the biggest star in the Philippines. • Michael David Smith: We’re a few months removed from your fight with Oscar De La Hoya. When you look back on that fight, are you surprised at how thoroughly you dominated him?… MICHAEL DAVID SMITH, fanhouse.com

HBO Banks On Pacquiao, Hatton To Draw Younger Viewers To Boxing » MANILA, Philippines – Premium television programming giant HBO is banking on the huge popularity and appeal of both Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton to attract younger viewers to the sport as it unveils its Pacquiao/Hatton 24/7 preview series. • Pacquiao/Hatton 24/7 is a four-part series that will extensively chronicle the respective training of Filipino pound for pound king Pacquiao and British bomber Hatton for their May 2 pay-per-view fight in Las Vegas… www.gmanews.tv

Pair Of Veteran Boxers Pushes Limits To Prolong Careers » If 38-year-old Carlos Hernandez needed a reminder that he may have been out of place in a game for the young, his 27-year-old opponent accidentally gave him one. • “I remember watching him fight,” said Vicente Escobedo. “I got to say that I am a fan of Carlos Hernandez.”… Colby White, www.dailytexanonline.com

Punishing Antonio Margarito: A Year or A Career? » 
Does the crime dictate the punishment? Or do the consequences of the crime dictate the consequences for the criminal? • Those are the questions that those in boxing must ultimately contemplate when it comes time to decide whether Antonio Margarito should be allowed to fight again… David P. Greisman, boxingscene.com
 

MONDAY’S BOXING ROUNDUP: Dirrell Tkos Findley, Yorgey Upsets Hearns » Andre Dirrell (18-0, 13 KOs) scored an impressive sixth-round TKO over Derrick Findley (13-3, 8 KOs) in the main event of another spectacular edition of “ShoBox: The New Generation” from the Buffalo Run Casino in Miami, Oklahoma on Saturday. • Dirrell, ranked No.1 by the WBO in the super middleweight division, nearly knocked Findley out in the very first round. A left hook, followed by a barrage of hooks and uppercuts staggered Findley against the ropes… Francis Walker, blackathlete.net

Cocky Hatton Fires Warning Shot » MANILA, Philippines—Manny Pacquiao will be in “for a shock” in his May 2 showdown with Ricky Hatton as the British “Hitman” claims he’s “in the best shape of his life.” • “I’ve got a little bit more finesse and I’m thinking about what I’m doing instead of steaming in there and making it easy for my opponents, so I’m better in every department now,” Hatton told The Daily Telegraph… Philippine Daily Inquirer, www.inquirer.net

(Margarito Photo by Juan Alicea Mercado/El Nuevo Dia)

Hungry Hatton Out To Prove Naysayers Wrong Against Lazcano A red-eyed Ricky Hatton staggered into the room after a night on the town. • Quietly, he sat down in a small conference room adjacent to the MGM Grand Garden Arena, his features and demeanor betraying the raw emotion of genuine grief as he faced the full gathering of British media. • His words were drawn out but he spoke with a heartfelt passion. • “I’ll be damned if Ricky Hatton is going to finish [fighting] after getting knocked out for the first time in his life by someone,” Hatton said. “No chance. You all know me and you know that I’d rather die than finish on a loss, lying flat on my back. Now could you please switch off the camera before I start crying?” —Brian Doogan, sports.espn.go.com

Juan Lazcano Keen To Exploit Ricky Hatton Weaknesses In Manchester Juan Lazcano believes that Ricky Hatton’s return to the ring so soon after his first defeat is a brave move, yet premature, and explained his plans to exploit this against the Mancunian, still considered the world No 1 light-welterweight prize fighter. • Lazcano admitted yesterday he took two years away from the ring following his first career defeat back in 1994 – partly to grow up, partly to recover emotionally – yet the 33-year-old Mexican-born fighter feels he is facing Hatton at the perfect moment. —Gareth A Davies, www.telegraph.co.uk

Mayweather Session Leaves Khan Looking For Fresh Directions Ricky Hatton’s nemesis, Floyd Mayweather, has an ominous message for the Hitman. “Tell him I went easy on him because I kinda like the guy, but if we fight again at Wembley, which is what he wants, I’ll really turn it on. There’ll be no mercy this time.” The chilling warning was delivered in Las Vegas to Amir Khan, when the Commonwealth lightweight champion spent an educational hour in Mayweather’s flamboyant company before the Calzaghe-Hopkins fight. • Khan was invited to Mayweather’s gym for a workout and was surprised when the welterweight champ, recognised as the world’s supreme fighting machine, offered advice. “I couldn’t believe it,” Khan says. “He seemed to know everything about me, where I came from, who I’d fought, how many knock-outs I’ve had. —Alan Hubbard, www.independent.co.uk

(Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

>> UNDEFEATED BOXING CHAMPION OF THE WORLD, AND DAUGHTER OF BOXING LEGEND MUHAMMED ALI, HAS QUIT THE SPORT. As Faiza Elmasry tells us, Ali has become a TV show host and health correspondent, hoping to combat juvenile obesity and inspire her adult viewers to stay fit and healthy. —(Faiza Elmasry, www.voanews.com)

>> (PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD)— Lightweight Sadam Ali (Brooklyn, N.Y.) officially qualified for the 2008 Olympic Games with a masterful third round stoppage of Juan Nicolas Cuellar of Argentina at the Americas Qualifier on Monday in Port of Spain, Trinidad. —(Source, www.usaboxing.org • Follow Sadam’s road to gold in the boxing documentary, “Brooklyn to Beijing.”

>> Ricky Hatton has sold 50,000 tickets for his homecoming bout in just two days. • And there are only 5,000 tickets left for his May 24 fight at the City of Manchester Stadium against Mexican Juan Lazcano. —(Source, www.lep.co.uk)

(Ali photo by Giuliano Bekor)