Manny Pacquiao: The Lord of the Ring

Manny Pacquiao thrills Filipinos all over the world as he proves he is the planet's best pound-for-pound boxer with stunning two-round victory over Ricky Hatton.

A world title fight billed as the Battle of East and West yesterday concluded with the miserable sight of Ricky Hatton burtling south. Adter being subjected to a serious beating by Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao in Las Vegas, a little Filipino who possesses hands of lead, Hatton's 23-year career is likely to be heading in a similar direction.

Floored twice in the early flurries of thei IBO light welterweight duel, Hatton somehow staggered into the second round. He crumpled for a final time in its final second of that round as the power of Pacquiao proved overwhelming.

There are now doubts over Hatton's future in the sport. After 47 fights, it is these 5 mins 59 secs fights that have left hiim in a career cul-de-sac. The earthy Mancunian was exposed as an honest, but thoughtless trier, a figure whose belief in his ability was detached from reality. Raw power and an energised gait were always likely to be nullified by the purpose of Pacquiao's advances, but nobody imagined such a stunning dismantling. Pacquiao landed more than 80 telling blows, Hatton under 20.

Hatton was full of good intentions, but more caution was needed against Pacquiao, a figure who has six world titles in six different weight divisions. Hatton could not belie his British Bulldog stereotype. he was split open with such ease that he would have been as well protected if he had walked into the ring with one arm tied behind his back. More then 20,000 watched Hatton lose his unbeated record to Floyd Mayweather Jnr in Dec. 2007. They came back for more this time but were left like witnesses at the scene of a mugging. Not since Frank Bruno was destroyed by Mike Tyson inside three rounds in 1996 have so many Brits travelled so far, for so little.

Hatton will collect millions as the victim but, as they cruelly pointed out to Bruno, he would have made a few dollars more if he had a sponsor's name plastered on the soles of his feet. Hatton is not visiting new territory in being left in a heap in Vegas. As is said, once is unfortunate, twice is careless.

After going to hospital for the customary brain scan, Hatton will realise that he failed to rid himself of the errors that saw him stopped by Mayweather in 10 rounds. Pacquiao may well have proved too classy, but Hatton contributed to his own capitulation by trying to pound his opponent into the ground. Pacquiao was not an aging Kostya Tszyu.

In Vegas, a city known as the Capoital of Secong Chances, Hatton has had his two shots at taking down the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world and failed. He is unlikely to get a third one.

Congratulations Manny Pacman Pacquiao!!!!!