British veteran boxing writer Colin Hart has predicted that Manny Pacquiao will beat Ricky Hatton in 10 rounds when they face off on May 2 in Las Vegas.

Hart, known as the “Voice of Boxing,” told British daily “The Sun” that despite Hatton’s improvement under new trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr., there’s still a stronger possibility of him losing to Pacquiao.

"I wouldn't be surprised if Pacquiao does stop Ricky in the later rounds, maybe nine or 10," Hart said in The Sun story published March 9.
 
Hart noted that the Pacquiao-Hatton match up will be fascinating and a very close one, but predicted that Pacquiao, with better speed, will emerge victorious.

"This fight will be decided on speed. Pacquiao has got extremely fast hands, so is Hatton. But I think Pacquiao is faster than Hatton, and at 140 pounds, he will be too fast for Ricky in the long run,” said Hart.

He said “the Pacman” will assert himself in the middle of the match, just like what he did against Golden Boy Oscar de la Hoya.

Hart said Hatton’s fans, who will fly to America to witness the historic match, may disappointed for the second time.

Mayweather Jr. smudged Hatton’s clean career record in 2007. The American boxer retired after winning the fight.
 
Hart, meanwhile, said the Hatton-Pacquiao face-off would be the biggest fight of the year.

"There are many boxing clichés and one of the biggest of all is that ‘styles make fights.’ And these two have got the styles to make it a war from beginning to end,” he said.

Hart went on by saying that Pacquiao and Hatton are both attackers and love throwing punches.
 
“They’ve got everything to make it a memorable night for boxing,” he remarked.

A reincarnation of Armstrong

Hart was also quoted as saying in The Sun article that Pacquiao could be a reincarnation of the great Henry Armstrong.

 “I think Pacquiao is a reincarnation of Henry Armstrong,” he said, noting that the boxer who gained fame in the 1930s held three world titles at different weights all at the same time.

Hart said Pacquiao’s four titles in four different divisions is his biggest similarity to Armstrong.

Pacquiao for president?

Hart added that there is so much more to Pacquiao than being a boxer.

He said Filipinos not only look up to Pacquiao as their finest sportsman and champion, but also as a political figure.

Hart also repeated promoter Bob Arum’s statement that “Manny could end up president of the Philippines.”

He said he would win on “sheer popularity alone” if he decides to run for president.