Fire Quinito gathers all the essential reading after Manny Pacquiao's sensational second-round knockout of Ricky Hatton, so you can save time to gawk at Hayden Panettiere's sexy geek chic get-up at the Star Trek premiere.



Brian Doogan, The Times UK: "The 30-year-old Filipino, a rare amalgam of brutal power and virtuoso artistry, dominated his bigger opponent with speedier, more precise, explosive punches which reduced the 30-year-old from Manchester to a stumbling, impotent, overwhelmed version of the proud fighter who had marched to the ring with a record of 46 wins, 32 by stoppage, against just one previous defeat. Hatton was twice knocked down in the opening round before Pacquiao put together a savage sequence of punches which further diminished the Mancunian before a bombshell left to the jaw sent him crashing onto his back unconscious. Wisely, American referee Kenny Bayless chose not to complete the count before he waved it over at 2:59 of round two, with Hatton in a frighteningly endangered state."

Doug Fischer, The Ring: "Hatton's got nothing to be ashamed of. He was simply outclassed by the best fighter in the world, as he was when he faced Floyd Mayweather Jr. in December of 2007. Only this time Hatton wasn't just fighting the pound-for-pound king, he was trying to duke it out with the Baddest Man on the Planet. And like one of the many victims of the prime Mike Tyson, the last fighter to hold that 'BMOTP' moniker, Hatton was summarily dismissed by the superior fighter."

Kevin Mitchell, The Guardian: "The left hook that ended Ricky Hatton's involvement in big-time boxing last night – and might even have been a more final calling card than that – was as sickening a one-punch knockout as I can remember in more than 30 years of covering boxing. Hatton was not just out before he hit the canvas a second from the scheduled end of round two; the lights went out as soon as Manny Pacquiao's left connected with Hatton's unprotected chin, a target so inviting the Filipino could not miss."

Gabriel Montoya, Max Boxing: "It was pure mayhem in the arena as even press row jumped to their feet at what they were seeing. Hatton rose slower this time and was clearly very hurt but still game as they traded to the bell. In the second, Pacquiao came out aggressive but boxing patient and smart, gauging his foe and poking and prodding to see if a finish was there for the taking. Hatton attempted to bore in close the gap but Pacquiao’s educated feet and sharp jab kept him at bay. Time and again, Pacquiao would catch Hatton coming in wide open and it seemed a matter of time before the end."

Bill Dwyre, Los Angeles Times: "Pacquiao's trainer, Freddie Roach, now the pound-for-pound best corner man in his sport, pretty much called the shot again, just as he had against De La Hoya on Dec. 6. He said Pacquiao would knock Hatton out in the third round. Pacquiao apparently had earlier dinner reservations. 'This fight was no surprise to me,' Roach said. The star trainer always seems to have a secret strategy, and he revealed afterward that, for this one, he had watched hours of film of Hatton -- 'I knew him better than my own fighter,' he said -- and realized that Hatton was wide open for the right hook. 'Hatton pumps his fist before he throws,' Roach said. 'We also knew he'd be looking for the left,' Pacquiao's main weapon."

Tim Starks, The Queensberry Rules: "After this win, Pacquiao is, in my mind, the best fighter in the past 20 years. He's beaten gobs of elite Hall of Fame-bound opponents and top contenders, and he's won a history-making fourth real championship belt in four divisions. He's done more than Roy Jones, Jr. He's done more than Floyd Mayweather, Jr. He's done more than Bernard Hopkins. Pernell Whitaker, Felix Trinidad, Evander Holyfield, you name them. The fighter who was still in his prime in the time period I'm talking about that comes the closest to being as good as Pacquiao, and that's debatable, is Julio Cesar Chavez. I think you have to go back to Sugar Ray Leonard before you really have to put on the brakes."

Michael Rosenthal, The Ring: "So where does Pacquiao land in the all-time rankings? Well, he could be the best fighter since Sugar Ray Leonard, which is saying a lot. Leonard was followed by such greats as Pernell Whitaker, Roy Jones Jr., Julio Cesar Chavez, Evander Holyfield and a handful more. However, none of the above combined explosive speed and power against the highest level of opposition over such a long period time like Pacquiao. And, obviously, he has won consistently: he’s 17-1-2 (14 knockouts) against some of the best fighters in the world since hiring Freddie Roach as his trainer in 2001."

SC, Bad Left Hook: In my generation, we've seen a few greats. Floyd Mayweather Jr. has done it on immense natural skill, great training from his father and uncle, and an ability to not be hit that rivals the best in history. Roy Jones Jr. did it on ridiculous reflexes and an uncanny ability to hit guys four times before they could even cover up. Winky Wright is/was a cover-up defensive master. Shane Mosley mixes skills and fortitude like few in the game today. But nobody has been this insane force of nature that Pacquiao has become. He really hasn't lost a round in his last three fights, which ended when David Diaz was knocked out in nine, Oscar de la Hoya quit on his stool after eight, and now Ricky Hatton was drilled inside of two rounds.

Martin Rogers, Yahoo! Sports: "Floyd Mayweather Jr. may have announced his comeback from a brief and scarcely-believable retirement on Saturday morning. But there can be no doubt that Pacquiao is boxing’s undisputed king as he continues to ride a remarkable wave of momentum."

Dan Rafael, ESPN: "It was even more of a violent ending than Hatton's only previous loss in the very same ring. Remember that one? It was in December 2007 when then-welterweight champ and then-pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr. knocked him silly in the 10th round. After Mayweather Jr. retired last year, Pacquiao took over his position as No. 1. But this victory sets up something very tasty: A Pacquiao-Mayweather Jr. showdown, perhaps at the end of the year. Maybe it was just a coincidence, although probably not, that Mayweather Jr. announced his comeback on Saturday morning, a July 18 fight at the MGM Grand against Juan Manuel Marquez, the man who has a split decision loss and draw with Pacquiao in two debatable fights."

Kevin Blackistone, The Fanhouse: Pacquiao left Mayweather without excuse. Mayweather can't say there is a bigger money fight for him as he said when so many wanted to see him fight Antonio Margarito. There isn't. Oscar De La Hoya reiterated to me on Saturday at Mayweather's press conference that he has no desire to resume his career between the ropes. Mayweather can't say there is some other title he'd rather pursue because the 140s is where all the credibility is at. De La Hoya compared the 140s now to its last heyday back in the '80s when Sugar Ray Leonard, Roberto Duran and Thomas Hearns were all trading leather, wins, losses and knockouts. The bottom line is that Mayweather, who announced Saturday that he would return to the ring July 18 against Juan Manuel Marquez, needs to make a date with Pacquiao. Before Pacquiao destroyed Hatton, I would have suggested September as a perfect date. With Hatton being examined in a hospital, I'd understand if Mayweather wanted to get another fight under his belt and hold off till November. Any later and I'll start to wonder."

James Slate, East Side Boxing: "In the history of this great sport there have been a number of must-be-made fights; pairings that simply had to happen. Without going overboard, Pacquiao Vs. Mayweather is a fight that must be ranked right near the top of such a list. Mayweather claims he is the finest fighter of his era, if not of all-time. To make people come anywhere close to agreeing with him he must fight and defeat the deadly Filipino southpaw who carries lethal power and almost sickening speed of hand. As for the humble and gracious 30-year-old who would take the fight in a heartbeat simply because he fears no man, if he were able to defeat Mayweather, especially by stoppage, his place in history would perhaps reside in the top-twenty or so greatest fighters of all-time."