Manny Pacquiao KO's Ricky Hatton

SI Staff | May 4, 2009

Manny Pacquiao KO's Ricky Hatton /

Manny Pacquiao KO's Ricky Hatton

Manny Pacquiao cemented his claim to being the best pound-for-pound boxer Saturday night with a spectacular performance that ended with Ricky Hatton sprawled helplessly on the canvas after a devastating left hand to the head late in the second round.

Pacquiao was a 2-1 favorite, but few anticipated an easy decision or that Hatton would be knocked down twice in the first round.

Pacquiao came into the bout on the heels of his rousing victory over Oscar De La Hoya five months ago.

Pacquiao's punches came straight down the middle and landed with increasing frequency as the fight went on.

"I'm surprised the fight was so easy," Pacquiao said. "He was wide open for the right hook. I knew he would be looking for my left."

Hatton connected on only 18 of 78 punches. Pacquiao landed 72 of 127 in a bout witnessed by 16,262 at the MGM Grand Arena..

Pacquiao sent Hatton to the canvas for the third and final time with a left cross.

Referee Kenny Bayless took one look at Hatton and declared the fight over at 2:59 of the second round. "I didn't have to count," Bayless said.

Pacquiao improved to 49-3-2, with 37 knockouts, and earned $12 million, while Hatton fell to 45-2 and earned $8 million. Hatton's only other loss was to Floyd Mayweather Jr.

A national hero in the Philippines, Pacquiao is quickly winning over a legion of new fans.

Published May 4, 2009

SI STAFF