By Ronnie Nathanielsz

REALIZING that his ?Battle of East and West? showdown with Britain?s Ricky Hatton will be a tougher fight than his lopsided eighth-round TKO over Oscar de la Hoya in Las Vegas last Dec. 6, Manny Pacquiao has promised to once again sacrifice in training.

In fact, Pacquiao plans to leave for Los Angeles after the christening of his daughter Queen Elizabeth on Feb. 22 to begin preparation for his May 2 showdown with Hatton. He then leaves for London and Manchester to kickoff the promotional tour, which will also take the two fighters to New York and Los Angeles.

In a dinner-gathering with sports editors and boxing writers last Friday night at the Harbour View seaside restaurant by the Manila Bay, Pacquiao maintained his attitude of never predicting the outcome of his fights and respecting his opponents.

Responding to International Boxing Organization light welterweight champion Hatton?s claim that nobody could beat him at 140 pounds, Pacquiao said: ?I don?t wish to predict the outcome. Everybody knows that I will stay quiet, but I will sacrifice in training so that on top of the ring, I can show the fans that it will be a good fight and I will make them happy.?

When asked who scares him more, De la Hoya or Hatton, Pacquiao laughingly replied: ?Nobody scares me. It?s only my team members and those who accompany me who are afraid.?

Pacquiao indicated he was not looking beyond Hatton for a fight with the presently retired Floyd Mayweather Jr. or newly crowned World Boxing Association welterweight champion ?Sugar? Shane Mosley.

?Hatton is one of the biggest challenges in my boxing career. It is not a stepping stone, but a challenge against a great fighter.?

Pacquiao said he needs to prepare well and study the style of Hatton in training and study well, his style of fighting.

Informed that trainer Freddie Roach noticed that Hatton had a tendency to throw a couple of punches and then grabs his opponent, Pacquiao said: ?That?s the reaction of a boxer when he is hurt. To hold.?

In an earlier news conference, Hatton praised Pacquiao as a great champion and the only way to become a great fighter is to box great champions. ?It?s an honor and privilege to be sharing a ring with him.?

But Hatton expressed confidence he would win. ?I cannot see this fight going 12 rounds. I?m convinced I will beat Manny.?

While he respects the ability of Hatton?s trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr., despite the fact that the mentor had belittled his skill and didn?t believe in him, Pacquiao said: ?I am not angry with him. He is a very good trainer and I respect him because he is also the father of Floyd [Mayweather Jr.], but I cannot let down my trainer Freddie Roach because he is the best and he has proved it.?

During the get-together with the media, Pacquiao, who was joined by constant companion and friend, Deputy National Security Adviser and former Gov. Luis ?Chavit? Singson, raffled off a total of P300,000 (over $6,000) aside from a 21? TV set, a laptop, three cell phones and other prizes.