Manny Pacquiao said he will climb back into the ring in October to fight Floyd Mayweather or whoever his promoters deem fit after the Philippines boxing superstar took a sixth world title.
The awesome "Pacman" knocked out Ricky Hatton with a devastating left hook in the second round in Las Vegas on Saturday for his 10th triumph in a row and claimed the Briton's International Boxing Organisation junior welterweight world title, equalling a record of six weight titles.
"My next fight will probably be in October or November," Pacquiao, who started his ring career as a light-flyweight, told DZBB radio here by telephone as he returned to his Los Angeles home.
He said he would go on vacation with his family while keeping an eye on the outcome of former undisputed welterweight champion Mayweather's comeback fight on July 18 against Mexico's Juan Manuel Marquez.
"I will probably fight Mayweather, but I am ready to fight whoever my promoters want me to face," he said.
Pacquiao took on then retired Mayweather's title as the world's best pound-for-pound fighter after pummelling Oscar de la Hoya into retirement in December.
Manila newspapers on Monday feted the rags-to-riches Pacquiao, splashing huge pictures of his Hatton knockout on their front pages.
"The greatest fighter ever," the Philippine Star crowed, echoing a claim made by his US promoter Bob Arum.
"A great day for the Philippines," said the Manila Standard Today. "Pacquiao now boxing legend," said the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
His trainer Freddie Roach however suggested on Saturday that a big-money showdown with Mayweather will not happen any time soon unless the American comes down to 140 pounds, where the Filipino is the current king.
The fate of Ricky Hatton is less clear with former world featherweight champion Barry McGuigan urging him to hang up his gloves, saying his career is over following his defeat.
"After a loss like that there is no point talking about a future in the ring," he wrote in the Daily Mirror, after Hatton was knocked out in Las Vegas.
McGuigan added: "He was a world class boxer, one of Britain's finest, no question. Now it is time to go."
He said Hatton "need not come down hard on himself", saying Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jnr, who beat Hatton in the same ring 17 months ago, were "two of the greatest fighters to have laced gloves".
"Hatton was relentless himself at his best. He has compiled a fabulous career and put serious money in the bank. There is no point carrying on," McGuigan wrote.
"It won't ever undo the defeats of the past 18 months and he has no chance of avenging them at this stage."
South Korean dancers perform a traditional dance during a memorial service in Seoul. AFP/Kim Jae-Hwan
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May 4, 2009 at 1:19 PM
The Pac Man will beat Mayweather. Hatton is a good fighter put Manny made him look like a nobody. The only way is up at the moment.
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