Quick Pacquiao picked to pound Hatton

Unleashing punches at a machine-gun pace has made Manny Pacquiao a bona fide boxing star. No longer is he perceived as an undersized underdog.

Pacquiao is a minus-255 favorite over Ricky Hatton today at the MGM Grand Garden, and early wagering is one-sided in favor of the Filipino fighter.

“Of the bets so far, it’s been all Pacquiao,” MGM Mirage sports book director Jay Rood said, adding Pacquiao is attracting the largest bets with several small wagers on Hatton.

Steve Cofield, local ESPN Radio talk show host and fight analyst, is picking Pacquiao by technical knockout in the 10th round and said he considers minus-255 “totally manageable” in this case.

Pacquiao was the underdog when he battered Oscar De La Hoya in December. Hatton has a lot to prove because he was completely outclassed in the only loss of his career, to Floyd Mayweather Jr. in December 2007.

“It’s very reminiscent of what Mayweather did to Hatton, where he’s getting beat to the punch so often and he’s taking a beating,” Cofield said. “I don’t think people realize the hand speed of Pacquiao until they go up against him. The times Hatton stepped up, he looked lackluster, he’s been easy to hit and he got steamrolled by Floyd.”

Cofield said although Hatton is in better condition and has improved offensively, he’s a definite long shot to beat Pacquiao. Hatton also has reportedly feuded with his trainer, Floyd Mayweather Sr.

“There has been some strife in training camp, and I don’t think that’s good at all,” Cofield said. “I don’t think Hatton’s completely out of the fight. But he’s got to trap Pacquiao and sucker Manny into more of a brawl. Hatton still has defensive liabilities. He has been easy to hit against elite opponents.”

It could be difficult for Hatton to win a decision because he’s not as flashy and throws fewer punches. Rood said bettors are “pounding everything Pacquiao” in regards to him winning by knockout.

“Anything Hatton will be good for the books,” Rood said. “You’ll see a lot of action, but there won’t be a lot of damage in the first few rounds. If they press each other the whole fight, it could be a great fight.”

Contact reporter Matt Youmans at myoumans@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2907.