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Training approach will be deciding factor in Pacquiao Hatton fight
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(AP Photo/PA, Dave Thompson)
Now that I've learned a little about boxing from my workouts, I've gotten curious about professional fighters. How do they get ready for a super fight like this Saturday's Manny Pacquiao Ricky Hatton showdown? It's all in the approach, my trainer, Aaron Emmons, told me.
The Pacquiao Hatton fight will be contested at 140 pounds.
"This is neither fighter's natural weight," Aaron told me. "In fact, they're both coming from opposite ends of the spectrum."
While Ricky Hatton normally weighs between 175-180 pounds and has to strip off around 30 pounds before the weigh-in, Manny Pacquiao is used to fighting at 130 pounds, meaning he has to put on 10 pounds without "losing his most prized asset, his blazing speed."
Here's the kind of training that would help each fighter reach their goals:
Hatton
Fight Weight: 140
Normal Weight: 175-180
Goal: Lose weight without losing power, lose weight slowly to maintain energy levels
Methods:
- lots of cardio (running 5+ miles daily)
- legs and arm pylometics (to keep his explosive muscle tone)
- light weight training (to keep his signature power)
Pacquiao
Fight Weight: 140
Normal Weight: 130
Goal: put on lean muscle without sacrificing speed
Methods:
- Cardio sprints
- Lots of squats and leg routines
- Weight training with explosive reps to keep speed and power
Fighters begin preparing for fights like these up to 6 months in advance, to ensure the adequate amount of time to lose or gain weight effectively. (Losing weight too fast can zap a fighter's energy.) In the end, their training will either fall short or lead them to victory. At tonight's official weigh in, Hatton came in at 140 pounds and Pacquiao at 138. Tune in tomorrow at 9:00 p.m. to see who has the training, and the heart, to succeed.
(Our prediction? Manny Pacquaio all the way.)
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