By Ronnie Nathanielsz

MANNY Pacquiao admitted that Britain?s Ricky Hatton is a tougher opponent than either David Diaz, whom he demolished in nine rounds, or Oscar de la Hoya, who quit at the end of Round 8 last Dec. 6 after taking a bad beating.

?I consider this my hardest fight because Hatton doesn?t know anything else other than to keep throwing punches,? Pacquiao, who flies to London and Manchester at the end of February to kick start a promotional tour for their ?Battle of East and West? in Las Vegas on May 2, told www.insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports.

Pacquiao added: ?Hatton is strong and an excellent boxer and I cannot be overconfident. It?s my honor to fight Hatton, who is one of the great fighters today and we will soon know who is the best on top of the ring.?

He stressed that he was both physically and mentally ready to take on Hatton. ?I would train hard and I?m not nervous or afraid.?

When reminded that he is the world?s no. 1 pound-for-pound fighter, Pacquiao replied with a grin.

?I am just an ordinary fighter, but I can beat a good fighter,? said Pacquiao, who then burst out laughing.

Earlier, Eddie Hearn, a top executive of Matchroom Sport, which also promotes boxing in Britain, said both Pacquiao and Hatton are fighters who will never give up and both have huge hearts.

?When you get two guys like that you?ll have to drag one of them out of the ring and I think Hatton will be the one to be dragged out of the ring with Pacquiao stopping him in the late rounds.?

The Matchroom director made it a point to stress that Hatton is not like De la Hoya, who Pacquiao hammered into submission in eight rounds last Dec. 6.

Meantime, Pacquiao and his wife Jinkee threw a lavish reception following the christening of their daughter Queen Elizabeth.

The 32 male and 16 female godparents were a veritable who?s who in politics, the military, the legal profession, show business and media led by Vice President Noli de Castro.

The Church of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage was packed with godparents, relatives, friends and well-wishers, while the reception at the KC Convention Center was described as fabulous.

Colorfully costumed ushers welcomed the guests to ?The Kingdom of Queenie,? in a play on the theme of royalty, while the food was sumptuous and truly a feast for a queen.