On July 24, 2009, the Don Haskins Convention Center in El Paso, Texas, will host an exciting night of boxing that will be televised live on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights boxing series. The event is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and will feature super bantamweight sensation Antonio Escalante taking on veteran southpaw puncher Cornelius Lock in the main event. The rest of the undercard features exciting young prospects, which includes Cestus Management’s own 140-pound battering ram Robert “NIGHTHAWK” Luna Jr. taking on Fort Worth native the rough and tough Tomondre King in a four round bout.
 
Anyone who has ever seen the “NIGHTHAWK” fight knows that the former United States Iraqi war veteran has an all action, no nonsense style that energizer's the live crowd wherever he fights; his savage offensive style is reminiscent of fighters from the 1950's. This will be Luna Jr's third consecutive bout that will be featured on an ESPN Friday Night Fights under-card.
 
Luna Jr. said, I am a man of few words, I train, I eat and sleep boxing and my fists do my talking in the ring; I am on a mission and cannot be stopped, I will destroy King on Friday. 

Gina Iacovou, Cestus Management’s CEO, said, “We are so excited that Robert is on this card and I cannot wait for the El Paso, Texas fans to experience his pure energy and ferocity. Robert is just the type of fighter that boxing fans fall in love with as he is always coming forward, unleashing fury with both hands; the local fans are in for a spectacular performance.”
 
Mike Michael, who is Cestus Management’s adviser, said, "The "NIGHTHAWK" is ready, willing, and able to electrify El Paso, so get ready! Nothing can prepare Tomondre King for the runaway freight train that is headed his way. Luna is in great shape and will deliver a red hot performance.” 
 
Michael added, “I would like to personally thank Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions and ESPN for this great opportunity. I would also like to thank Anthony Velasquez from Gente Entertainment for his continued support. The only thing left to say is: "EL PASO lock the doors and run for cover.” 
 
  
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After watching Pacquiao’s beat down of the Golden Boy from Nick’s Sports Bar in the Colony a while back the, “who’s next” conversation soon followed. That “who”, as we all know is Ricky Hatton; and they square off Saturday, May 2nd in Las Vegas, Nevada. Should Pacquiao win, which I think he will, talk of a Pacquiao/Mayweather mega fight will no doubt follow, as if it hasn’t already? Since both possess very aggressive styles, the Pacquiao/Hatton match will be explosive to say the least.

Arguably it could give the recent Marquez/Diaz fight a run for its money as fight of the year. Even more so it could be as memorable as Hagler/Hearns of the late 80’s. I believe Pacquiao will eventually impose his will and stop Hatton somewhere around the 6th round. But Hatton to his credit will hit Pacquiao with more punches then in any of his previous fights. Needless to say, boxing fans, me included can’t wait for this one.

The moment the slugfest is over and as soon as Larry Merchant can enter the ring and catch his breath, the question will be asked, “Is Floyd Mayweather Jr. next on your agenda?” That fight although highly anticipated and assuming it does happen will not be as memorable. Mayweather’s style is a bit on the boring side but his skills are undeniable. Any predictions would be premature since the weight for this fight would need to be resolved before going any further, but I will say this. Pacquiao has a great chance to win this fight as long as it’s fought below the catch weight of 147. And that will be a sticking point for Mayweather I’m sure. Okay, okay, I said it was premature to make a prediction but I like Pacquiao by UD, there I said it.

Predictions from the fight community:

Shannon “Preach” Little
TX Boxing Commission – Time Keeper
Pacquiao, early, he always comes up big in big fights and Hatton will take too much punishment. Might bring Mayweather out of retirement for a mega fight.

Troy Dorsey
Former World Champion in both Boxing and Kickboxing
Pacquiao, his power is amazing, especially when you consider the weight he started fighting at. Pacquiao by stoppage in the middle rounds.

Joby Gaytan
Owner and Head Coach, Knuckle up Boxing Club, Princeton TX
Pacquiao will be too fast and strong for Hatton. Pacquiao will overwhelm him up the middle and from different angles as Hatton rushes and desperately tries to get to Pacquiao. But one punch can change a fight, and Hatton does have a punch when he lands.

Ex Alba,
Executive Editor, www.NorthTexasBoxing.com
Pacquiao is a freak of nature; I've only met one other person like that in my life. Pac-Man by KO in middle rounds.

Richard Lord
Former World Contender, owner / trainer of Richard Lord’s Boxing Gym
Pacquiao by decision, he doesn’t hit hard enough. If he couldn’t knockout De La Hoya he’s not going knockout Hatton either.

Dennis Rodarte
Head Coach, KO-N-1 Boxing Team, Pleasant Grove, TX.
The fight will be exciting while it lasts, but I like Pacquiao by KO in the 8th or so. And then, Floyd Mayweather, Sr. can go sit down somewhere.

Luis Yanez
2008 United States Olympian, 1-0 as a pro
I think Pacquiao will dominate Hatton from the get-go. I can’t see Hatton winning a single round and then he’ll get stopped in the 7th.

Charlie Hatley
2008 United States Olympic Alternate, 2-0 with 2 KO’ as a pro
Pacquiao will win. He’s too busy for Hatton. It’ll be a good close fight but Pacquiao will win by a decision. Probably a split decision.

Sean Reed
Writer, www.northtexasboxing.com
This will quite possibly be the fight of the year because there's very few lulls when either of these men fight.  Hatton's going to attack Pacquiao in a way the Dela Hoya either couldn't or wouldn't.  But I think that will be his downfall.  Hatton's too easy to hit and Pacquiao has maintained his power as he's moved up thru the weight classes.  Hatton has tender skin too and will inevitably bleed and swell at some point.  Long story short, I like Pacquiao by stoppage in the 8th or 9th, but Hatton will have his moments.

Christina Lopez
Texas Select Boxing Coach
Pacman all the way. He is more than an excellent boxer, he is an excellent man. He is a man of God first as well as a smart skilled beast in the smart ring!

Wayne Harrison
Texas Slugfest
I see Hatton starting strong but getting busted up in the middle rounds. Pacman by TKO in 8-9 rounds.

Rafael Casias
Professional boxer & MMA trainer
I am going with PacMan 10th round.

Jeff Trevino
Writer - www.northtexasboxing.com
Hatton believe it or not round 9. [By] KO.

Stephanie Dobbs
Female boxer & highly respected corner person from Oklahoma (holds Guinness Book of World Record for most fights by a female boxer)
I would like Hatton to win, but I think Pacquiao will get him.

Michael A. Montoya
President, Brown Boy Media
Hatton’s going to score an upset!

Jeff Zimmerman
VP, Richard Steele Promotions, Inc.
I am going against the majority on this one. Hatton has never lost at 140 and with Mayweather in his corner for this one I think Hatton fights the fight of his life. Hatton knocks out Pacman in the 9th in a classic!

Lester Bedford
Managed 2-time World Champion Jesse James Leija and managed/marketed over 100 world title fights.
I like PacMan in the fight.  He's a tough guy to run out of gas in a fight and that is Hatton's whole game.  If Hatton can't land body shots and wear a fighter down, he's probably going to lose on points.  I see PacMan as a little too elusive and quick enough to avoid being hit with combinations by Hatton.  Freddie Roach will have him moving and hitting Hatton from angles and he'll score a lot of points and avoid being hit more that way. 

On the other side, I've never been a Floyd Mayweather, Sr. fan.  I'm convinced Oscar De La Hoya became a worse fighter the day Mayweather started training him.  My guess is he will try to change Hatton's style also, and it won't work.  Hatton is a come forward, one trick pony and that will be difficult to change.

Lastly, I gained additional respect for Pacquiao after seeing what he did to a much bigger De La Hoya and I don't see size being a factor here, as many may still believe.  If nothing else, Pacquiao will be at his strongest by fighting up and Hatton will struggle to make the weight.  Handling weight is a huge factor and this swings in Pacquiao's favor, big time.

Hatton will have some good moments, but not enough. I see Pacquiao in a clear-cut decision win.

Clay Hantz
West Texas MMA & BJJ [Regular on SWC shows],
Midland, Texas
The big strong punches vs the explosiveness. If Hatton flattens out and slops his foot work, Pacquiao will tear him apart with the speed that he hits those angles. (See Mayweather vs Hatton) Hatton's body shots are vicious and, nasty power lives in both hands!

Pac has to stay on his bike and do what Pacquiao does. (De La Hoya Vs Pacquiao)  Pick him apart and stay to the angles I think he can do it. Good power for his size, can't beat his counter punches either.

Pacquiao catches Hatton with flat feet in the 7th. Night Night Hatton.

Anonymous [at their request]
Sports writer for major publication in the North Texas area.
Got to go with my man Pacquiao. (By the wa guys, love your site. Go to it daily. Keep up the good work.)

“Handsome” Hector Beltran
12-1-1, 10 KO’s
#3 ranked (tied) North Texas Boxing pound for pounder
Touch fight to call, but I like Pacquiao, more than likely by decision. It’ll be a good fight, both guys will throw and land lots of punches, but Pacquiao will box smarter and more than likely get a decision.

“The Dallas Kid” Jessie Lara
16-1-1, 10 KO’s
#3 ranked (tied) North Texas Boxing pound for pounder
Tough fight to call. I actually like both guys, but I’m pulling for Hatton a bit more. They’re both gonna bring it and I really can’t predict a winner, but I do think it’l go to a decision.

Ray Ximenez, Sr.
Head Coach, Dallas P.A.L.
This could go alot of ways. If it lasts awhile, I think Pacquiao will win by decision in a close fight. Hatton’s only chance is by KO.

Rogelio “Redd” Garza, Jr.
Asst. Coach, KO-N-1 Boxing Team
Hatton will give him a good run for his money, but I like Pacquiao by KO in the 10th.

Taronze “T-Reezy” Washington
11-10, 6 KO’s
Texas Middleweight and Jr. Middleweight Champion, #4 North Texas Boxing pound for pounder
Either way, it’ll be a KO, but I’m slightly leaning towards Hatton getting cut and stopped. Pacquiao won’t ease up and he’ll slice Hatton up.

Derrick James
12-7-1, 12 KO’s
#2 North Texas Boxing pound for pounder
Ultimately, Ricky Hatton is too big and Pacquiao is too small. Dela Hoya was dead at the weight when he fought Pacquiao, so that fight means nothing. Pacquiao's a great fighter, but I think the size will be too much in this case. I don't know if it'll be a KO or decision, but I like Hatton.

Kendrick Releford
19-12-2, 9 KO’s
#6 North Texas Boxing pound for pounder
I’m expecting a really good fight. Almost a toss-up. Pacquiao’s the better boxer and Pacquiao should be used to the higher weight by now so I’ll go with him.

Curtis Cokes
International Boxing Hall of Famer and Former Undisputed Welterweight Champion
It’ll be a competitive fight early, then I think Pacquiao will bust him up.

Joe Lara
Father/Trainer of “The Dallas Kid”
It’ll be a good fight but I like Pacquiao by decision.

John “Law Man” Lawson
Head Coach, Lewisville Boxing Team
It’ll be close early, but Pacquiao is faster and more consistent than Hatton. It’ll be close early, but Hatton’s gotta revert to the Old School Hatton to win.

Debbie Holmes
USA Boxing Official [of 24 years & one of the top two USAB officials in North Texas if not the state]
Pacquiao.

Little Joe Hernandez
Music legend, greatest Tejano singer ever, & three time Grammy Award winner.
Pac is going to kick his ass!

Wilder Cruz
Owner of North Texas Mixed Martial Arts Academy in Prosper, Texas (www.northtxmma.com)
Pacquiao by decision with about 2 knockdowns a piece.

Dr. Brad Romans
North Texas Boxing’s Fight Doctor [coming soon to www.northtexasboxing.com “Ask the Fight Doctor”)
PacMan in round 6.

Angel C. Alba
Oklahoma Editor www.northtexasboxing.com
I think it’s going to be a good fight because Hatten pulled out the best out of Mayweather but I think Pacquiao is the best pound for pound fighter today. I think it will be a good fight but I don’t think it will be neck and neck.

Roland Gamez
Of Roland’s Corner Fame on www.northtexasboxing.com
It’s going to be a good show in the beginning but I’m going to go against the grain and pick Hatten.

Mike Bussey
XKO MMA Promoter (www.thegym.org)
PacMan by decision.

Sylvester Davis
SWC Co-Promoter
PacMan.

Leti Ayala
Better half of Fort Worth Boxing Legend Paulie Ayala & co-owner of “Paulie Ayala’s University of Hard Knocks” (www.paulieayala.com)
Pacquiao decision.

Desmond McCleen
SWC Co-Promoter
6th round, PacMan will severally hurt Hatten with his reach.

James Freeman
Professional boxer & Boogie Boxing Promotions owner (www.boogieboxingpromotions.com)
The awkward style and coming forward of Hatten will have Pac Man off rhythm and a the fight will be a great one but I lean toward Hatten by close decision.