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Saturday, January 30, 2010

Pacquiao sends first sparring partner home!!!

Chances are, Bryan Brooks won’t be back as sparring partner of Manny Pacquiao.

Having seen the boxer got beaten up by the world’s pound-for-pound king in his first day of sparring session for his world title fight against Joshua Clottey, trainer Freddie Roach said he doesn’t see Brooks returning for more sessions with the Filipino at the Wild Card gym in Los Angeles.

“I don’t think I’m going to bring him (Brooks) back. He got hurt a few times. Manny was too much for him," said Roach.


Brooks once served as sparring partner of reigning World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight champion Shane Mosley, but has a lackluster career as a pro with a 0-6 record.

The former light-middleweight, however, was obviously a bit bigger than Pacquiao and has a solid built just like Clottey.

Although up against a non-quality fighter, Roach said it’s a good way for Pacquiao to start and get his rhythm in training camp.

“He did whatever he wanted to do. He was playing with him a little bit. He likes to play with his audience a little bit. Overall, it was a great day," assessed Roach.

Pacquiao said the first week of training has been so far so good.

“Training is good. Right now, I have pretty good movement. I am throwing good combinations and will definitely be ready on March 13," he said.

The Filipino will be staking his World Boxing Organization (WBO) 147-pound belt in the 12-round fight to be held at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Clottey (35-3, with 20 KOs) is coming in as a last-minute replacement following the aborted super-fight between Pacquiao and unbeaten Floyd Mayweather Jr.

But Pacquiao said he’s definitely not looking past the 32-year-old challenger from Ghana.

“Clottey is tough. He can punch and he’s definitely very strong," said the General Santos City native. - GMANews.TV

Source: gmanews.tv

Pacquiao-Clottey tickets selling briskly despite stiff prices

Tickets for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title showdown between Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines and Joshua Clottey of Ghana are selling briskly despite the tickets’ stiff prices.

The top seat tickets cost $700 while other tickets are being peddled for $500, $400, $300, $200, $100, and $50, something Arum believes will entice fight fans to fill the reconfigured (45,000-capacity) Cowboys Stadium on fight night.

As this developed, Clottey downplayed Pacquiao perceived superiority, saying the Filipino champ is just Superman’s alter-ego Clark Kent and not The Man of Steel.

“I know it’s Pacquiao but I don’t like people thinking that Manny is super, that nobody can beat him,” Clottey told the Ghanaian media as he gears up for his March 13 showdown with the Filipino fighter at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas, Texas.

Clottey said Pacquiao “is a human being like me,” and that he is going all-out in his ambitious quest to “dethrone him” and “win the (World Boxing Organization welterweight) title for Ghana.”

While Clottey is assured the biggest paycheck of his career, the African banger insists he is facing Pacquiao

Source: mb.com.ph

Pacquiao Clottey will be a tough fight while Pacquiao vs Mayweather may never materialize

Los Angeles: Pacquiao Clottey will be a tough fight while Pacquiao vs Mayweather may never materialize. People’s interest in Pacquiao vs Clottey fight is increasing fast. It is going to be a historic fight as Manny Pacquiao fights his way to establish his supremacy in the world of boxing.



He is already on top, but a couple of fights from now and some outstanding wins will force everyone as the world’s best boxer with no one to challenge him.

Already there are very few who can be called on to fight him with certainty to give a good fight. The lure of money will continue inspiring boxers from across the globe to fight him.

Even Floyd Mayweather Jr is sort of scared to fight him. He asked Manny to undergo so many tests before the fight.

Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao said he was ready to give blood samples for the drug test set for January but couldn’t undergo the Olympic-style random test supposed to be conducted in the last 30 days leading to the d-day. Such a test would weaken his body and affect his performance, he claimed.

Pacquiao accused that Mayweather was virtually scared of fighting him and that’s why he’s arguing for random blood tests.

Mayweather’s father Floyd Mayweather, Sr. had earlier accused Pacquiao of using performance-enhancers and Pacquaio’s trainer Freddie Roach had responded to it in the same manner as Pacquiao did to the demand for random blood tests.

Reiterating Pacquiao’s opposition to random tests, Freddie Roach said Pacquiao is willing to undergo a drug test just after the fight is over. However, he is not opposed to his ward taking urine tests just before the fight.

So far, Pacquiao has never been caught in a drug test which he underwent before every match he fought in the State of Nevada.

Meanwhile Manny is fighting a formidable boxer Joshua Clottey in Pacquiao’s first defense of his WBO welterweight title.

There is so much interest in this fight slated for March that most of the tickets are already sold.

Source: khabrein.info

Friday, January 29, 2010

Clottey: "I Will Destroy Manny Pacquiao, Shock The World"

Speaking to his supporters at the Media Centre of the Ohene Djan Stadium, Joshua Clottey said - “Pacquiao is human just like I am, and not a superman as many regard him."

Clottey challenges Manny Pacquiao for the WBO welterweight title on March 13 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. He wants to put Ghana in the spotlight by pulling off a major upset.

“I see the fight as a big platform which outcome will not only open more doors for me, but will place the name of Ghana on a higher pedestal,” Clottey told the Ghana Chronicle.

Clottey is not intimidated by Pacquiao's past wins over such fighters as Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton and Miguel Cotto. He has a plan to for Pacquiao's difficult southpaw style and plans to bust up the Filipino champion.

“I’m not going into this fight because of the purse, but I have my eyes firmly glued to the title and will definitely destroy him to shock the world. I have antidotes to southpaws, no southpaw has defeated me in my career,” Clottey said.

Source: boxingscene.com

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Pacquiao vs Clottey ticket sales booming!!!!

pacquiao vs clottey
More than 20,000 tickets have been sold for Manny Pacquiao's March 13 fight against welterweight Joshua Clottey at Dallas Cowboys Stadium, and officials say there could be close to 60,000 in attendance on fight night.

"The first days of sales for boxing events can be about 25% of the total," said Texas boxing publicist Lester Bedford, who's assisting Top Rank and Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones in the Pacquiao-Clottey fight promotion. "There'll be a heavy Hispanic undercard that has yet to be announced, and that could trigger more sales.

"With the fight being in this new stadium there's no history to predict how a boxing event will do. It could go to 50,000, 60,000."

Jones originally arranged a seating plan to accommodate 40,000, and tickets went on sale Saturday through Ticketmaster.

The undercard could feature the return of former world welterweight champion Antonio Margarito, who had his boxing license revoked by the California State Athletic Commission February 2009 after officials removed plaster-caked inserts inside wraps on both of his hands before being defeated by Shane Mosley last January at Staples Center.

Margarito is planning to apply to get his license restored in Texas next month, and promoter Bob Arum said if Margarito wins the super-welterweight undercard fight against Carson Jones, he'd strongly consider making a Margarito-Pacquiao bout at Dallas Cowboys Stadium later this year.

Bedford said former lightweight world champion Jose Luis Castillo will also appear on the Pacquiao-Clottey undercard.

-- Lance Pugmire

Source: latimesblogs.latimes.com

I Can Handle Pacquiao - Clottey

pacquiao vs clottey
Former IBF Welterweight champion Joshua Clottey has stated categorically that he will strip WBO Welterweight champion, Mammy Pacquiao, of his title come March 13 in the USA.

In his audacious words at a press conference at the Media Centre of the Ohene Djan Stadium, he revealed that; “Pacquiao is human just like I am, and not a superman as many regard him.

“I see the fight as a big platform which outcome will not only open more doors for me, but will place the name of Ghana on a higher pedestal,” added Clottey.

To Clottey, he is approaching the fight for the first time with the nation at heart, and not the purse, saying “I’m not going into this fight because of the purse, but I have my eyes firmly glued to the title and will definitely destroy him to shock the world.”
Supporting his claim, he gave the assurance that he has not lost to any southpaw in his career, and Pacquiao will not be the first to pose a threat to him noting, “I have antidotes to southpaws, no southpaw has defeated me in my career.”

The technical director of the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) Professor Azumah Nelson noted that Clottey has allayed his fear about the Philippine boxer, when he said he gave the assurance that he can handle southpaws. And with that assurance, the boxing Professor now worries for the WBO champion, taking into account Clottey’s courage and strength. He advised Clottey to step up his training as he strives to return home with the WBO title.

He assured Clottey of his support in the March 13 bout pointing out that “I wish him well and will be there in persons to support him.” Mr Worlanyo Agra, the Chief Executive of the National Sport Council (NSC) assured the boxer of the nation’s unflinching support in the forthcoming bout.

Source: peacefmonline.com

Manny begins tough grind for Clottey bout

pacquiao vs clottey
MANILA, Philippines - Manny Pacquiao kicks off his grueling training at the gym this week, which may include a series of sparring sessions as he steps up his buildup for the Josh Clottey fight on March 13.

Pacquiao’s strength and conditioning coach, Alex Ariza, said it will mark the start of the tough plyometric and isometric exercises that should last for at least six weeks.

Depending on his condition, sparring may also begin this week, according to Ariza.

Meanwhile, Pacquiao made sure to break sweat even on his rest day by playing basketball in Burbank.

The Filipino boxing icon, after two hard days at the Wild Card Gym, went out with friends Sunday afternoon to play basketball, his only way of keeping himself and his adrenalin going when he’s out of the gym.


Pacquiao arrived in Los Angeles last Wednesday from a three-day press tour in Dallas and New York, and the following day put on his basketball shoes for some pick-up games with his LA buddies.

Friday and Saturday he was at the gym pounding the mitts with his chief trainer Freddie Roach, trying out his brand new pair of gold boxing gloves that match the color of his new tatoo, a scorching meteor, on his left arm.

According to insidesports.ph, Ariza was impressed with Pacquiao’s performance at the gym over the weekend, and the 31-year-old energizer looked like “he didn’t take time out.”

It was the first time Pacquiao hit the gym since posting a sensational and historic win over Miguel Cotto last Nov. 14 in Las Vegas to become the first fighter in history to win seven world titles in seven different weight classes.

The insidesport.ph report also said Pacquiao showed up at the gym just a shade under 150 lb, meaning there’s very little he would need to lose for the Clottey fight, scheduled March 13 and pegged at 147 lb.

Roach, who’s looking forward to a tough fight, is reportedly looking at Shawn Porter or Amir Khan to head Pacquiao’s sparring partners, 48 days before the fight set at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

“He’ll be aggressive. He’ll try to kill us. He comes forward, he’s strong and he fights. That’s what he does. Its not a problem. I’m reviewing tapes on how Clottey handles lefties,” said Roach, as quoted by Pinoy boxing man Hermie Rivera.

Source: philstar.com

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Pacquiao Will Beat Clottey Easily, Says Ex-Trainer

While most boxing aficionados predict that pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao will have a tough fight against former world champion Joshua Clottey in Pacquiao’s first defense of his WBO welterweight title, the trainer who handled Pacquiao when he won his first world title believes Pacquiao will win easily.

American Rick Stehely who trained Pacquiao when he scored a sensational 8th round knockout over Thai hero Chatchai Sasakul to win his first world title – the WBC flyweight crown in December 1998 told us he can’t see how Pacquiao could lose.

Stehely told BoxingScene.com, insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports in an interview at the Orchid Inn in Angeles City said “ I think this is a kind of an easy fight for Manny. Clottey is bigger and is physically stronger but Manny’s got everything else. He’s got the speed, he’s got the skills plus Clottey is a blocker. Its almost like if Manny goes out there and throws punches in bunches , he doesn’t have to hit him hard.”

Stehely said “every now and then crack him hard but just touch him, move a little bit and I can see Clottey sitting up there with his hands over his face most of the fight and when he does open up Manny nails him with a good shot because of his speed.”

The American trainer said he believes Clottey “can go twelve rounds with Manny. He’s a tough kid but he’s not a big puncher although he might be stronger than Pacquiao physically but he’s not stronger punch-wise.”

Stehely summed it up by predicting that Pacquiao “should win a very easy twelve round decision or possibly stop Clottey him late like he did with (Miguel) Cotto” whom he beat by a 12th round TKO last November 13 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Stehely said he was not sure whether Pacquiao could draw 45,000 fight fans even though he conceded the Filipino southpaw “has a big following now and if you put on a real nice Mexican undercard they may be able to get 45,000 in there.”

Australia’s multi-titled “Promoter of the Year” Peter Maniatis said it will be the first time that Pacquiao will fight at 147 pounds for the first time since the Oscar De La Hoya fight and Clottey “is a tough fighter who gave Cotto more than he wanted but Manny is a super star and I’ve never seen a fighter like him. His speed, his stamina its just unbelievable and Clottey is going to be in for a tough night.”

Pacquiao who is scheduled to begin sparring on Thursday went through his regular routine at the Wild Card Gym of trainer Freddie Roach although the bad weather in Los Angeles has somewhat interfered with his jogging.

Meantime, Clottey’s problem over his trainer and assistant being denied renewal of their visas to enter the US has been solved with the re-hiring of Clottey’s former trainer Godwin Kotey of Bukom, Ghana, for the showdown against Pacquiao .

Clottey who last worked with Kotey in 2004 was reportedly relieved that Kotey who was initially refused a renewal of his visa until the US embassy in Accra, Ghana checked some things, will arrive in New York on Friday after which Clottey and his team will leave for their training camp in Fort Lauderdale in Florida.

Boxingscene.com quoted Clottey’s manager Vinny Scolpino as saying Godwin “ is a very famous trainer in Ghana and this is the trainer Joshua has been asking for to prepare for Pacquiao. It will be Godwin who puts together our game plan."

Clottey earlier split with trainer Kwame Asante who handled him for the Miguel Cotto fight following a dispute over the trainer’s pay.

Source: boxingscene.com

Ghana all out for Clottey

The whole of Ghana is throwing its full support behind Joshua Clottey with the African nation’s premier puncher – Hall of Famer Azumah Nelson – leading the way.

Nelson said Clottey will have his hands full against Manny Pacquiao on March 13 at the Cowboys Stadium in Dallas and the two-division world champion has expressed caution over his compatriot’s chances in the biggest fight of his life.

“My fear is that Manny Pacquiao is a southpaw because they are hard to fight but Joshua has given us an assurance that he knows how to fight southpaws so I am relieved,” Nelson said in a story that came out in eastside boxing.com.

Knowing that Pacquiao is a truly formidable foe, Nelson, who held world titles at featherweight (126 lbs) and super-feather (130 lbs), said he will “advice Joshua to train hard but I know him and I know that he will not rest.”

The 51-year-old Nelson, who turned pro in 1979 but had his last fight in 2008 after a ten-year hiatus, now holds the position of technical director in the Ghana Boxing Authority.

Meanwhile, Godwin Dzanie Kotey, who had previously worked Clottey’s corner, is expected to arrive in New York anytime this week from Ghanaian capital of Accra in time for Clottey’s departure for his training camp in Fort Lauderdale in Florida.

The last two weeks, Clottey, a 3-1 underdog against Pacquiao, been working out at John’s Gym in the Bronx, New York.

Source: mb.com.ph

Pacquiao expects close fight vs Clottey

MANILA, Philippines – It will be tough and it will be close.

World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champ Manny Pacquiao said he expects his March 13 date with challenger Joshua Clottey to turn out just like the Ghanaian boxer’s match against Miguel Cotto.

“Sa tingin ko pa nga, close ang labang iyon at puwede ring si Ginoong Clottey ang nanalo,” Pacquiao said, referring to the June 2009 fight between Clottey and Cotto.

Cotto got a split-decision win, but many fans felt it could have been gone either way.

“Ganyan din ang dapat kong asahan sa laban namin sa Marso 13,” he added.

Pacquiao said the size and ability of Clottey, who has won 35 fights against 3 losses, makes the Ghanaian fighter a very dangerous foe.

Pacquiao has 50 wins against 3 losses.

Clottey stands 5-feet-8 and is a full welterweight, while Pacquiao, the only boxer to win 7 world titles, is 5-feet-6.5 and last fought at a 145-pound catch weight.

“Naniniwala akong isa siyang mapanganib na kalaban,” said Pacquiao, who has started training at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles, California.

Still in good condition

Pacquiao’s physical conditioning expert, Alex Ariza, meanwhile, said Pacquiao is still in good shape two months after his 12th round TKO victory over Cotto last November.

“He is looking sharp already,” Ariza said in a report by InsideSports.ph.

Trainer Freddie Roach agreed that the Filipino boxer is in “pretty good shape” at 148 lbs.

“We’re gonna start sparring one day earlier than normal and get the rounds in,” Roach said. “We'll have the game plan down by next week.”

Not giving up on Pacman-Floyd

Meanwhile, boxing promoter Oscar de la Hoya said that despite the bitter feud with the Pacquiao camp, he hasn't given up on trying to convince Pacquiao to fight his client Floyd Mayweather.

"That fight has to happen," De la Hoya said Tuesday of the proposed bout, which fell apart earlier this month over a drug-testing procedure dispute. "It's too big not to happen. We just have to cross one hurdle."

Speaking at a news conference Tuesday to promote a non-title junior welterweight fight, de la Hoya said Mayweather and Pacquiao will fight sooner than people think.

Pacquiao, boxing's pound-for-pound king, was already scheduled to square off against Mayweather on March 13, but they couldn't agree on a 10-day gap in the timing of the pre-fight drug tests.

"The public will hopefully make him change his mind," de la Hoya said. "Why would you not want to earn 40 million dollars? Why would you not want to show the public that all this speculation is nonsense? Be the one to stand up and say it."

De la Hoya also said Mayweather and Shane Mosley are in talks for a possible bout on May 1 which will likely be in Las Vegas. With a report from Agence France-Presse.

Source: abs-cbnnews.com

Monday, January 25, 2010

Freddie Roach closes down Wild Card Gym to visitors

Freddie Roach had the Wild Card Boxing Club closed down on Saturday afternoon when Manny Pacquiao showed up for the second day of training for the March 13 fight with Joshua Clottey of Ghana.

“The first day (Friday) Manny trained here, Freddie allowed the gym regulars to see the workout,” revealed Team Pacquiao security chief Rob Peters.

The second day Pacquiao suited up for training, everyone was told to pack up and return after the Filipino winds up his training,” said Peters.

“I think this would be the norm beginning now until the first week of March,” said Peters.

Roach’s decision to bar anyone from getting a sneak-peak into Pacquiao’s training is a sign that they are not taking Clottey for granted.

The gym will be closed for several hours – 12 noon until 4 p.m. – possibly until March 8 the day Pacquiao departs for Dallas, Texas, site of his 12-round defense of the World Boxing Organization welterweight crown.

Pacquiao was supposed to train last Thursday but since he and Roach were coming off the tiring Dallas-New York press tour, the trainer told his prized pupil to take the day off.

Meanwhile, tickets to the fight – priced at $700, $500, $400, $300, $200, $100 and $50 are selling fast.

Reports from the US show that half of the 40,000 tickets have been gobbled up by Pacquiao fans.

The 100,000-seat Cowboys Stadium will be reconfigured to 40,000.

“There’s not a single bad seat in the stadium,” said Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum.

Source: mb.com.ph

Pacquiao should be strict against Clottey - Miguel Cotto

MANILA, Philippines – Puerto Rican fighter Miguel Cotto gave some words of advice to his former foe, pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao, for his upcoming clash against Ghanaian Joshua Clottey.

“Manny will have to be very strict because Clottey has a lot of strength and has good defense,” Cotto told HBO as quoted by FightFan.com.

The Puerto Rican fought both Pacquiao and Clottey, the headliners of “The Event” which will be held at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas on March 13.

Cotto relinquished his World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title to Pacquiao last November when he lost via a 12th round technical knockout at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Prior to his loss, Cotto edged Clottey by split decision at the Madison Square Garden in Manhattan, New York City last June.

“It will be a tough fight,” the Puerto Rican added. “I believe the guy who is the best prepared and in the best shape will win the fight.”

Pacquiao has already kicked off his training at the Wildcard Gym in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California.

American trainer Freddie Roach told 8countnews.com that the seven-division champion is in a “pretty good shape” at the onset of his training camp.

Meanwhile, Cotto (34-2, with 27 knockouts) is slated to challenge World Boxing Association (WBA) super welterweight champion Yuri Foreman of Israel on June 12 at the Madison Square Garden.

It will be the first title defense for the undefeated Israeli who has a 28 wins (8 KOs) and 1 no contest. – With reports from PhilBoxing.com and FightFan.com

Source: abs-cbnnews.com

Roach predicts a 12-rd win for Pacman this time

Trainer Freddie Roach is practically accurate when he predicts the brutal fate of Manny Pacquiao’s opponents. He was virtually prophetic in Pacquiao’s annihilation of Oscar De La Hoya, stoppage of Ricky Hatton, and bloody disposal of Miguel Cotto.

For Pacquiao’s defense of his World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title against Joshua Clottey of Ghana on March 13, though, the outspoken trainer is not projecting a KO win – at least not yet in this early part of their training camp.

In a TV interview with GMA News, Roach said Team Pacquiao is preparing for a 12-round war with the tough challenger.

“This guy (Clottey) has never been knocked out before. He’s a tough guy. If the knockout comes, that will be a bonus but I’m planning to win in a 12-round fight," he said at the Wild Card Gym in LA, where Pacquiao has started his seven-week training.

Though never knocked out, Clottey is not new to absorbing a knockdown. In his failed bid last year against then champion Cotto, the 32-year-old Clottey hit the deck from the Puerto Rican’s left hook before the end of the first round. Clottey survived and eventually fought Cotto to a tough fight the rest of the way, with the fight ending in a close split decision win for the Boricuan bomber.

Clottey’s two other career losses were a unanimous decision to Antonio Margarito in 2006 and a DQ in his duel with Argentine Carlos Baldomir back in 1999.

Source: gmanews.tv

Pacquiao-Clottey tickets on fire on first day of sales

NEW YORK -- Sure, most boxing fans really, really wanted to see pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao fight Floyd Mayweather on March 13. While that fight isn't happening now because of their inability to agree on how to handle drug testing for the bout, the public seems to have accepted with open arms Pacquiao's replacement fight.

He's going to meet former welterweight titleholder Joshua Clottey on HBO PPV on March 13 in the first boxing event to be held at the new Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, outside of Dallas.

In just the first three hours of public tickets sales (preceded by three days of limited pre-sales) on Saturday, more than 20,000 of the approximately 40,000 available were gobbled up. They ranged in price from $50 to $700.

"Ross Greenburg and I are very gratified that the public has responded like they have, and we are happy for our partner (Cowboys owner) Jerry Jones," Top Rank promoter Bob Arum told me on Saturday night at the Madison Square Garden Theater.

Arum and Greenburg, the president of HBO Sports, were sitting together shortly before the telecast of Top Rank's doubleheader, featuring featherweight title bouts pitting Steven Luevano and Juan Manuel Lopez and Yuriorkis Gamboa and Rogers Mtagwa.

Arum said if the demand for the fight continues the capacity of the stadium, which is 100,000 or so for Cowboys games, can easily be increased.

"It's going to be quite a night," Arum said. "And Jerry isn't just a one-event guy. If he sees this as a success you can be sure he'll do more boxing in that great stadium."

Also Saturday night, junior middleweight titlist Yuri Foreman and former welterweight titlist Miguel Cotto were in the house. Arum, who promotes both, was talking with both sides trying to finalize a June 12 fight between them, which he is planning for in the Madison Square Garden main arena.

Source: espn.go.com

Sunday, January 24, 2010

PACQUIAO LOOKS LIKE HE DIDN’T TAKE TIME OFF AFTER COTTO FIGHT

Manny Pacquiao, the reigning world pound-for-pound king looks like “he didn’t take time out” after his 12th round TKO victory over WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas last November.

That’s the assessment of conditioning expert Alex Ariza after Pacquiao had two days of workouts at trainer Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Gym.

Ariza said Pacquiao did several rounds on the punch-mitts and his usual routine but would start his strength and conditioning exercises on Monday. Ariza said Pacquiao planned to begin sparring on Thursday. Ariza added, “he is looking sharp already” in preparation for his title defense against tough Joshua Clottey at the $1.2 billion Dallas Cowboys stadium on March 13.

Pacquiao’s adviser Michael Koncz told us that Pacquiao’s training “went very well. Training is going good and Manny is feeling good.”

Broadcaster Hermie Rivera who lives in California and is well known for having steered Luisito Espinosa to the world bantamweight title and Morris East to the light welterweight crown informed us that he had spoken to Roach about Pacquiao’s training and quoted Roach as telling him, “Pretty good on the first day. No problem at all. He was punching hard. He’s weighing 149 pounds right now. Perfect for the agreed upon welterweight limit.

Asked about what they could expect from Clottey, Roach said “He’ll be aggressive. He’ll try to kill us. He comes forward, he’s strong and he fights. That’s what he does. Its not a problem. I’m reviewing tapes on how Clottey handles lefties.”

Roach added that “If a knockout comes that would be our bonus but I’ll be getting ready for twelve hard rounds.”

The promotional kickoff rites at the venue owned by Jerry Jones followed by a stop at Madison Square Garden spiced up with the attractive Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders has had an early impact on ticket sales.

Top Rank promoter who was at Madison Square Garden for the championship doubleheader featuring undefeated fighters Juan Manuel “Juanma” Lopez and Yuriorkis Gamboa against Steven Luevano and Rogers Mtgawa was obviously happy over the sale of tickets for the Pacquiao-Clottey fight.

ESPN’s Dan Rafael said Arum told him that 20,000 tickets of a planned 40,000 had already been sold in the first three hours of public ticket sales which was preceded by three days of limited pre-sales. The ticket prices ranged from $50 to $700.

Meantime, Clottey was reportedly set to fly home to Accra, the capital of his native Ghana to speak to US Embassy officials and try to facilitate the renewal of the visas of his trainer, Godwin Nii Dzanie Koet and assistant Daniel Clottey which expired in November last year.

While the US Embassy reportedly wanted to further investigate the application of Koet Clottey was said to have been flatly refused a visa.

Source: philboxing.com

Friday, January 22, 2010

Wild Card saddles up for Pacquiao training

LOS ANGELES — Manny Pacquiao was given the green light Thursday by trainer Freddie Roach to spend what was supposed to be his first day of training with his friends after the two arrived here close to midnight from a two-city promotional tour in Dallas and New York for the March 13 fight with Joshua Clottey.

“See you on Friday, Manny,” Roach told his prized pupil late Wednesday night at a private hangar near LAX International, fresh from a six-hour flight from Newark, New Jersey that made a brief refueling stop in Denver.

“Just take the day off. Rest,” said Roach.

Pacquiao had wanted to show up at the Wild Card in Hollywood on Thursday as originally planned but because of their late arrival back from the tiring tour, the Filipino had no choice but to skip training.

“Okay, coach, I will do that,” said Pacquiao, who was joined in the press tour by Canadian adviser Mike Koncz, lawyer Franklin Gacal and training assistant Roger Fernandez.

At the Wild Card on Vine Street, security chief Rob Peters was already on hand to enforce rules, knowing that Pacquiao would start his workout but he will have to wait for another day.

When Pacquiao goes to the gym Friday, nobody will be allowed in except of course for members of Pacquiao’s team from 12 noon until 4 p.m. until March 8.

Despite missing one day, Team Pacquiao is not worried.

Conditioning coach Alex Ariza said there is still enough time to whip Pacquiao into his old fiery form, stressing that he is the most hardworking athlete he has seen.

“We’re still okay and you know Manny, when he starts training it would be impossible to tell him to stop,” said Ariza, who has the major role of making sure Pacquiao reaches peak form in time for the 12-round welterweight clash set at the Cowboys Stadium.

Since Pacquiao and Clottey are slugging it out at the welter limit of 147 lbs, Ariza said Pacquiao will tip the scales exactly at 147 but will not allow him to bloat.

“He’ll weigh 149 lbs by the time he enters the ring.”

Source: mb.com.ph

Pacquiao takes breather, delays training

MANILA, Philippines – Seven-time world champ Manny Pacquiao is taking a breather frist before starting his training camp following his press tour with Ghanian boxer Joshua Clottey to promote their upcoming bout.

According to a report by Ronnie Nathanielsz of PhilBoxing.com, Pacquiao went to Los Angeles from New York together with his coach Freddie Roach, assistant trainer Buboy Fernandez, adviser Michael Koncz and lawyer Franklin “Jeng” Gacal.

Roach told the reigning World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champion to take a rest after a gruelling press tour at the Dallas Cowboys in Texas stadium and the Madison Square Garden in New York.

Pacquiao was supposed to begin his training camp at the Wild Card Gym on Thursday (Friday in Manila) but had to rest before going down to business.

Team Pacquiao has set aside 7 weeks to prepare against the durable Clottey, a former world welterweight champion.

Clottey's training hit by delay, too
Clottey, meanwhile, had to take a forced vacation from his training after his trainer was temporarily refused a visa by the US Embassy in Accra, Ghana.

The former International Boxing Federation (IBF) champion was reported heading back to Ghana to resolve the issue of visas for trainer Godwin Dzanie Kotey and assistant trainer Daniel Clottey whose US visas had expired last November.

“We are very disappointed because we need to train. Now Joshua is all alone in the US and even if he is training, there is no supervision,” Kotey said in EastSideBoxing.com.

Clottey was reportedly frustrated with the delay.

“You need time to prepare in boxing. Even the day Joshua was notified for the fight was already too short for a fight of such magnitude. He needs at least four months to prepare for a big fight like this,” said Kotey.

Source: abs-cbnnews.com

Pacquiao VS Clottey This Coming March

The number one pound-for-pound boxer of the world, the Philippines’ pride, Manny Pacquiao, will be in the battle ground again as he will be fighting a boxer from Ghana, Joshua Clottey this coming March. The dream match between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. has been canceled because of fizzled out talks between the two boxers. So, Manny will fight Clottey instead of Mayweather Jr.

As the record says, Clottey had a so-so records from his past fights. He won in the fight between him and Zab Judah last August 2008 but lost a split decision to Miguel Cotto this last June. Clottey is a great boxer but the fact that he was defeated by Miguel Cotto who was defeated by Manny Pacquaio, then there’s a huge probability that Pacman will win the fight against the Ghanaian boxer.

The Pacquiao VS Clottey battle will be another huge event in the boxing history and to the world. Catch it this coming March.

Source: dailyworldbuzz.com

Pacquiao vs. Clottey Press Tour Huge Success, Pacman off to Training Camp

Manny Pacquiao – With the conclusion of the two-city press tour promoting his March 13 bout with Joshua Clottey, boxing’s pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao is all set to head back to the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles to begin his training.

The two press conferences held in Dallas and New York City were both extremely successful, creating a feeling of excitement for all those anticipating the fight. First stop was Dallas, where the fight will be held at the state-of-the-art Dallas Cowboys Stadium. Billionaire Jerry Jones, owner of the stadium and co-promoter of the fight, rolled out the red carpet to welcome both fighters.

New York City’s presser proved to be equally successful. The two fighters, as well as trainer Freddie Roach and Top Rank chief Bob Arum, answered questions from the assembled media. Pacquiao and Clottey gamely posed for photographs, all the way smiling and showing nothing but the utmost respect for each other.

With the conclusion of the two-city tour, the two groups went each their separate ways to make their respective preparations. Pacquiao is set to open his training camp on Thursday at the Wild Card Gym where conditioning expert Alex Ariza is already raring to get his hands on the seven division champion.

With only a little over seven weeks to go before the fight, Ariza along with head trainer Freddie Roach is confident that they could whip Pacquiao into the perfect fighting condition. Pacquiao and Clottey will be disputing the WBO Welterweight crown currently held by the Filipino.

Source: twominutenews.com

Manny Pacquiao is confident he will fight Floyd Mayweather Jr

Manny Pacquiao, who will fight Joshua Clottey on 13 March, said today that Floyd Mayweather Jr had been looking for a way out of fighting him and that "maybe Mayweather is scared to lose."

The biggest fight in boxing fell apart because of the drug testing protocol, with Pacquiao refusing to have blood drawn more than 24 days before the fight. Mayweather wanted testing done two weeks before the fight.

Pacquiao will defend his version of the welterweight title against Clottey at the new Cowboys Stadium in Dallas, where promoters are hoping to attract 40,000 fans. The fight will be televised on pay-per-view.

Pacquiao says he will eventually fight Mayweather Jr.

"I believe the fight will happen some other time," he said. " I'm still hoping the fight will be pushed through, maybe by summer time. It would be a good fight if it happened."

Soource: guardian.co.uk

Boxing sticker shock: Pricing for Pacquaio vs. Clottey

Just received a presale offer from the Cowboys for the Manny Pacquaio-Joshua Clottey fight on March 13 at Cowboys Stadium.

Want a ticket on the floor? It'll cost $700, which is pricier than the priciest seat at Cowboys Stadium. For $500, you can get a seat on the floor in either end of the end zone. For bowl seating, prices range from $300 (which are approximately aligned with the video board on both sides of the stadium) to $50 for end zone corners.

Presale tickets go on sale Friday. Tickets go on sale to the general public through Ticketmaster at 10 a.m. Saturday.

In addition to hyping the fight as "the first of its kind to take place in North Texas," the Cowboys note that floor seating is elevated to increase the quality of the sightlines. And of course, they say the fight will be shown in the stadium on the "largest HD Quality Television in the World."

Source: dallasnews.com

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Pacquiao vs Clottey Dallas Press Conference



Manny Pacquiao Vs Joshua Clottey Betting Odds

Manny Pacquiao vs Joshua Clottey Fight Odds: Boxing’s most popular active fighter Manny Pacquaio announced that he will be facing Joshua Clottey from Cowboys stadium March 13th. Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao couldn’t be made over drug testing issues but the formidable African contender Clottey, 35-3-2, 20 KO’s, will put on a good show in Mayweather‘s place. Pacquiao, 50-3-2, 38 KO’s, is regarded as the #2 pound-4-pound fighter in the world and Clottey is the #5 ranked welterweight contender. This will be the first boxing match held in the Cowboys new $1.1 Billion dollar stadium and it should be a huge event.

The Manny Pacquiao vs. Joshua Clottey Fight Odds have Pacquiao as a -450 boxing betting favorite at Bodog.com.

Pacquiao has been instilled as the “chalk” by the oddsmakers but Clottey is a well-schooled and very durable. Both fighters are coming off wins over pound-4-pound entrant Miguel Cotto. Clottey lost a disputed split-decision to Cotto in a fight that he had the Puerto Rican busted up at the bouts conclusion. Pacquiao lost a few early rounds against Cotto before completely dominating Miguel for the remainder of the fight in a 12th round TKO. The Manny Pacquiao vs. Joshua Clottey Fight Odds Total is at 9.5 Rounds with the Over at -150 boxing betting odds

Manny Pacquiao is an explosive fighter that has been blowing away everybody but he can be hit and cut. Clottey is not flashy or special at any one skill but he is a consistent performer with a rock solid chin. While Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquaio is still the superfight that the world is waiting to see, this fight is an excellent match-up that could make Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao even bigger.

Source: onlinesportshandicapping.com

Pacquiao tabs Clottey, jabs Mayweather

ARLINGTON, Texas -- The fight everybody wants will not come to the biggest football stadium in the NFL.

So instead of watching Manny Pacquiao take on Floyd Mayweather for some sort of welterweight title, $1.3 billion Cowboys Stadium will host a Joshua Clottey-Pacquiao fight.

The announcement of Pacquiao-Clottey for the WBO welterweight title came Tuesday in front of 500 fans seated two stories above the field.

When the fight happens March 13, promoter Bob Arum believes 40,000 fans will watch it. HBO will put the fight on pay-per-view to showcase Pacquiao, one of its biggest stars.

The sad part is that it doesn't help boxing. All it does it make the Pacquiao people take shots at Mayweather for not agreeing to a fight that had the potential to be one of the highest-grossing events in the history of the sport.

"It's a better fight to be honest with you," Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach said of the Clottey fight. "Actionwise, both guys come to fight, and Mayweather is a talented guy [but] he puts people to sleep and he runs and runs and runs."

The stumbling block of a potential Mayweather-Pacquiao fight was the scheduling of blood testing. Mayweather said he believes Pacquiao has used performance-enhancing drugs. Pacquiao said he felt insulted to be accused of taking PEDs.

"I feel bad. I'm a very honest person," said Pacquiao, who denied taking performance-enhancing drugs. "I'm a nice guy. They are accusing me of drugs. I don't know what that is. I feel bad."

Mayweather wanted Pacquiao to take a blood test 14 days before the fight instead of 24 days.

"It seemed to us after a particular point that Mayweather didn't want to do the fight," Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum said. "At the end, we had compromised this stupid blood testing down to 24 [days] and he was staying at 14 [days], and if he wanted to do the fight, what the hell difference does it make, 14 to 24? It was just to be a bully and have his way, and he lost the fight."

As for the Clottey fight, Pacquiao is the favorite and will get the rock star treatment in Texas. He was introduced last as he walked through the same tunnel the Dallas Cowboys use to take the field to a loud ovation from a large group of Filipino fans.

Pacquiao wore a Cowboys jersey, and team owner and general manager Jerry Jones even presented him with one of his Super Bowl rings.

The boxer felt special even in this massive stadium that can expand to 100,000, if needed. He should win this fight against a tough fighter in Clottey. Then again, that's what Pacquiao is supposed to do.

And while Pacquiao takes on Clottey, the man people want to see him fight will take on Shane Mosley sometime in the spring.

It will be interesting to see whether Mayweather asks Mosley to take a blood test in the same manner that he asked Pacquiao.

"The answer is I don't think these stipulations are good for boxing," Arum said. "I know Shane at one point used performance-enhancing drugs, but I know Shane and I really think he's a good man. I don't think that he does that anymore. Shane fought two of my fighters, [Miguel] Cotto and [Antonio] Margarito, and I never once [questioned whether Mosley used drugs]. I don't believe it."

It's a shame Clottey gets lost in a fight such as this because he can fight a little bit. His three losses are to Cotto, Margarito and Carlos Baldomir.

"This will be a tough fight," Pacquio said.

Yes, and people in Texas will come and support the first fight in Cowboys Stadium. But it won't be the fight we all want to see.

Source: sports.espn.go.com

Venue for Pacquia vs Clottey is a sure knock out!

ARLINGTON – The circus came to town Tuesday, and promoter Bob Arum instantly proclaimed it the greatest opening day in boxing history. Never before has an introductory news conference been held in a $1.15 billion venue with Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders standing guard as the fighters took center stage.

"I've never seen anything quite like this," proclaimed Arum as he lovingly took in the sights and sounds of the event held to introduce Manny Pacquiao and Joshua Clottey, who will return to Cowboys Stadium for their welterweight world championship fight March 13. "This had panache."

Across the field, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, whom Arum expects to help promote the fight like no other partner he has had, was saying he envisions as many as "four or five significant fights a year" in the new home of the Cowboys.

"Las Vegas has its aura, and we can do things here to capture our own aura," Jones said.

Pacquiao-Clottey is a good start. It's not a mega-fight like Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather would have been. Rather it's a strong welterweight pairing between Pacquiao, the WBO's 147-pound champion who has held titles in seven weight classes and is considered by many to be the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, and Clottey, who is ranked the as the No. 1 challenger by the WBA and No. 4 by the WBA.

For the fight, Cowboys Stadium will be configured much like it was for last month's Texas-North Carolina college basketball game. The ring will be built at midfield, with Arum and Jones hoping to fill 40,000 seats.

"It was always in our mind that right here on the star we would put the ring," said Jones, who later said the earliest renderings of the stadium included a configuration for boxing.

Clottey thankful for chance: Pacquiao, 31, is 50-3-2. He is an icon back home in The Philippines. He has won 11 fights since losing a super featherweight fight to Erik Morales in March of 2005. Clottey, 32, a native of Ghana who lives in New York, is 35-3. His lost his last fight by split decision to Miguel Angel Cotto in June. Five months later, Pacquiao beat Cotto in a 12th-round technical knockout. Clottey sounded star-struck when talking about Pacquiao. "He is the best guy, and I want to thank him for giving me this opportunity."

Briefly: Among those introduced to the crowd by ring announcer Michael Buffer were three local former world champions: junior welterweight Gene Hatcher, featherweight Troy Dorsey and bantamweight Paulie Ayala. ... Tickets for the fight dubbed simply "The Event" will range from $700 at ringside down to $50. When the undercard is announced in the next several days, expect it to be filled with lots of Hispanic fighters. ... The fight will be televised on pay-per-view by HBO. Pacquiao's last three pay-per-view bouts averaged one million buys. The suggested retail price for this one is $49.95.

Source: dallasnews.com

Boxing at Cowboys Stadium has nice ring to it for Jerry Jones

ARLINGTON, Texas — When Manny Pacquiao looked down at the crowd from Jerry Jones’ personal suite at Cowboys Stadium, it looked strangely reminiscent of a Roman Emperor in the ancient Coliseum.

The comparisons to the Roman Coliseum continued throughout Tuesday’s news conference to formally announce Pacquiao’s March 13 welterweight title bout against Joshua Clottey.

"It was always in my mind that right here on the star we could put a ring," Jones said. "And the best fighters in the world could come out and fight and their fans support them."
Deep-voiced ring announcer Michael Buffer likened Cowboys Stadium to the Roman Coliseum and compared the fighters to gladiators of a different era.

During the news conference that resembled a football pregame show, Pacquiao’s promoter Bob Arum suggested Cowboys Stadium could replace Madison Square Garden or Caesar’s Palace as the "new Mecca of boxing."

Despite the magnitude of Cowboys Stadium and the sideshow filled with pyrotechnics and Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders, the proverbial elephant in the room still demanded attention.

This fight serves as a substitute only after the failure of promoters to agree on drug testing stipulations between Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Jones pointed out the fact that had that fight taken place then, it would have happened in Las Vegas and not at Cowboys Stadium.

"I’m proud to have this fight," Jones said. "Pacquiao is who I wanted. The different dynamics of the other fight played out best for us."

Pacquiao spoke briefly about Mayweather and said the fight could still happen later this year.

"For me, I wanted to fight him, but he had a lot of reasons," he said. "That’s why the fight was canceled."

While boxing fans clamored for the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight, Pacquiao’s iconic trainer Freddy Roach said Clottey presents a better matchup.

"Action-wise, both guys will come to fight," Roach said. "Mayweather’s a talented guy, but he puts people to sleep, and he runs and he runs and runs."

Up-and-coming Dallas fighter Roberto Marroquin (11-0) has an undercard bout, but the rest of the card has not been determined. Arum introduced Marroquin as the official fighter of the Dallas Cowboys.

Source: bostonherald.com

Pacquiao is beatable - Clottey

The last 10 fighters who climbed the ring against Manny Pacquiao wound up on the losing end, including big guys Ricky Hatton and Miguel Cotto who suffered humiliating TKO losses.

But no, sir, this does not necessarily mean Pacquiao is invincible, if you ask his next rival, Joshua Clottey of Ghana. Not if you're good at defending yourself.

“Well, see he (Pacquiao) is beatable," Clottey said in an interview with BoxingScene.Com.“He has beaten all those guys out there so you would think he is unbeatable. But …those guys aren’t the best defensive fighters."

Clottey will be vying for the Filipino pound-for-pound king’s World Boxing Organization welterweight title on March 13 at the Cowboys Stadium in Texas.

The two fighters attended a Super Bowl-style press conference at the $1.2 billion venue Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila) to formally announce the fight card billed “The Event."

The Ghanaian had previously attempted to win the same belt in June 2009, but yielded a close split decision to then champion Cotto. The Boricuan bomber later surrendered the strap to the Pacman.

The 32-year-old Clottey, though, expressed belief he won’t suffer the same fate as Cotto and other Pacquiao victims.

“It’s going to be a different story when he and I fight versus what happened to those other guys because I have my defense there. The only thing I need to work on is punching him after he punches and placing my shots," he said.

Clottey, though, admitted that Pacquiao’s reputable punching power would be a concern.

“I am not thinking that Pacquiao can’t hurt me. In boxing…a punch in the right place can send a guy down. I respect Pacquiao in the ring and I will be careful," he said.

The Clottey bout replaced the hoped-for superfight between Pacquiao and another boxing superstar, Floyd Mayweather, Jr., which fell apart due to disagreement over dope testing procedures. - GMANews.TV

Source: gmanews.tv

Rock star treatment titillates Pacquiao

DALLAS, Texas — Manny Pacquiao felt like a true-blue Texan on Tuesday as he titillated his hosts, the assembled media, and a modest Filipino crowd living here by telling them that the five-star treatment he received is unmatched.

“I feel like a (great) football star,” said Pacquiao on the dais at midfield of Cowboys Stadium, a remark that brought a smile on the face of Jerry Jones, the oil magnate and Dallas Cowboys owner who is teaming up with Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum in staging Pacquiao’s fight with Joshua Clottey on March 13.

Pacquiao was a bit mesmerized by the presence in the audience of a bevy of Cowboys all-time greats and a handful of ring heroes of yesteryears but it was the way he was introduced that left a lasting impression on him, something that is no longer easy to do what with his stature now.

“That was one great presentation,” said Pacquiao as he awaited the signal to board a private plane that would take him to New York for another press conference scheduled Wednesday at the Madison Square Garden.

With the Cowboys cheerleaders swaying and gyrating like no other, Pacquiao walked through thick artificial smoke to the sound of Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger” and with fire blasting out from one of the pipes used during Cowboys games.

Clottey, for his part, said he and Pacquiao have something in common.

He said he grew up dirt poor in Accra, Ghana, just the same way Pacquiao did in General Santos City.

“There was nothing there,” Clottey said on Tuesday at Cowboys Stadium in the city of Arlington, site of their March 13 showdown for Pacquiao‘s World Boxing Organization welterweight crown.

“Me and Manny Pacquiao came from the same beginnings. There was nothing in Ghana and that was the same thing with him (in the Philippines),” said Clottey.

Clottey said he “had to fight to survive” and as early as six years old he had known the gratifying sensation of throwing and even receiving a punch.

“I had to fight my way out of poverty,” said the New York-based Clottey, a heavy underdog, according to bookmakers.

Clottey said the Pacquiao fight is once-in-a-lifetime experience and that it is going to be an opportunity for him to alter the course of his life in the event he pulls off a major upset.

Arum was in his usual bombastic self but he lived up to his word that the press conference would be something to be remembered many years from now.

“Wasn’t it amazing?” said Arum, who later joined Pacquiao on the private plane for New York.

Arum pointed to the HDTV – the largest in the world – that was hanging from the ceiling. “There’s not one bad seat here when the fight takes place,” said Arum, confident that the reconfigured stadium will be filled for the Pacquiao-Clottey fight.

Tickets – priced at $700, $500, $300, $200, $100, and $50 – go on sale on Saturday.

Joannah Liad, whose parents are from the Philippines, is among the 23 members of the Cowboys cheerleading group that performed during the press conference.

“I spent my first seven years there,” said Liad, referring to the Philippines. She will also be at the New York press conference.

Source: mb.com.ph

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Fans greet Pacquiao in LA airport

MANILA, Philippines – Fans swarmed around “People’s Champ” Manny Pacquiao when he arrived at the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) Sunday night (Monday in Manila).

But Pacquiao’s fans were not able to get close to him as the seven-division champion was whisked away from the scene, according to Ed de la Vega of PhilBoxing.com.

Members of the press also crowded the airport to cover the arrival of the world’s best pound-for-pound fighter. Pacquiao arrived aboard a Philippine Airlines flight.

According to the de la Vega, the crowd that welcomed Pacquiao on Sunday “was one of the biggest.”

Bob Arum of Top Rank Promotions told Ronnie Nathanielsz that Pacquiao said he “slept very well on the plane and he’s very relaxed.”

Pacquiao is set to train at Freddie Roach’s Wildcard Gym in Hollywood for his March 13 fight against Ghana’s Joshua Clottey at the Cowboys Stadium in Dallas, Texas.

He will defend his World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title against his Ghanaian foe who is a former International Boxing Federation (IBF) welterweight titleholder.

Arum added, “Manny will start training first thing on Thursday morning because this fight is not going to be easy.”

He noted that Roach and conditioning coach Alex Ariza said “they are going to work him (Pacquiao) hard and he’ll be fine.”

Before he gets down to business, the Filipino boxing superstar will attend the press conferences scheduled this week in Dallas and New York.

He is also slated to hold a fundraiser for fellow Filipino fighter Z Gorres, who suffered a brain injury in November.

Gorres has been discharged from the University Medical Center (UMC) in Nevada after undergoing 2 major surgeries.

Source: abs-cbnnews.com

Pacquiao could be beaten–by two men

THERE’S ONE WAY TO BEAT MANNY PACQUIAO, and it would need the clone of two great warriors the Filipino boxing superhero had previously beaten.

“They should combine the skills of Erik Morales and the power of Miguel Cotto,” said Col. Antonio F. Mariano in that roadside spot at Barrio Onse, San Juan, where the late literary giant Nick Joaquin used to hold court.

You must be kidding, the burly colonel with a fat moustache was told.

But, even that, is no surefire formula, he replied.

* * *

What about Joshua Clottey, the durable Ghanaian whom Pacquiao will be facing in Texas next March?

He’s at best tough, and that’s about it.

Doesn’t he pose a danger to the Pacman?

Well, only if Clottey himself turns out to be a clone of Love Allotey.

* * *

Love Allotey?

Yes, the colonel continued, not too many fans could remember him but Allotey gave the great Flash Elorde hell in a riotous bout at the Araneta Coliseum in 1963,

Elorde, defending his world junior lightweight crown, was roughed up and repeatedly fouled by his terrible Ghanaian challenger.

That bout was stopped by referee Jimmy Valencia in the 11th round with Elorde bloodied and looking very tired.

* * *

A reminder to that wild night at the Big Dome was a picture taken by the great Ben Roxas, who was killed in the Plaza Miranda bombing, the vivid black-and-white frame prominently hung in the main entrance to the editorial section of the old Manila Times building on Florentino Street, Manila.

In that picture, Allotey, clawing like a maddened tiger, was chasing after referee Valencia.

Providing a startling foreground was the drawn gun of an unidentified man in white short sleeves who stood in the middle of the melee.

Elorde, declared winner in controversial fashion, went on to complete a seven-year reign as world champ.

* * *

Anyway, the allusion to Allotey was based on reports that Clottey doesn’t happen to be the safest, cleanest ring warrior in the world.

Well, it was not that Clottey rhymes with Allotey.

It so happened that Pacquiao’s next foe had also been observed to resort to foul tactics, like butting, in other fights.

Last heard of, Clottey was still disputing his split-decision loss to Cotto last June.

But whether he will be able to make true his vow of stopping Pacquiao—without riding on foulness—remains a big questions mark.

* * *

If at all, it’s his Ghanaian lineage, the tradition of being truck-tire tough, that should prop Clottey when he proceeds to trade leather with the mighty Pacquiao off the ropes or in mid-ring.

It’s not totally hopeless, anything could happen, suggested Col. Mariano of the Pacquiao-Clottey fight.

This, the colonel added, cannot be said of his job to disassociate his boss, former

ARMM Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan, from the Maguindanao horror crimes his brother and father are accused of masterminding.

“We, Zaldy and I, both cried the morning after we learned about it,” Mariano said.

The problem, he added, is that nobody appeared ready to listen.

It’s because of the utter foulness, sir.

Source: inquirer.net

All set for Pacquiao grand presscon

SHAPELY AND PRETTY CHEERLEADERS, a giant high-definition television screen, and a special stage for VIP guests, among them former football greats and world boxing champions.

These are the highlights of the grand press conference awaiting Filipino ring superstar Manny Pacquiao in Arlington, Texas, on Tuesday.

Mobbed by fans and the media after his arrival in Los Angeles Sunday night, Pacquiao will be flown by private jet to Las Vegas, where he will be joined by promoter Bob Arum, before proceeding to the $1.2-billion Cowboys Stadium for the formal announcement of his duel with Ghanaian Joshua Clottey on March 13.

According to Matt Stolow of Examiner.com Sunday, a 60-foot stage is being erected for invited guests to the press conference for “The Event” at the midfield of the cavernous dome.

Apart from Pacquiao, who will be staking his WBO welterweight crown, Clottey, Arum and Cowboys’ billionaire owner Jerry Jones, the guests list include former Cowboys greats Tony Dorsett, Ed Jones, Drew Pearson, Tony Hill and Preston Pearson.

Source: inquirer.net

Clottey not going for a quick KO

DALLAS — Joshua Clottey of Ghana spoke modestly about his March 13 battle with Manny Pacquiao, telling the Philippine press on Monday that while he will be armed to the teeth, he won’t be rushing for a knockout win.

“You don’t force a knockout,” said Clottey upon his arrival at the Four Seasons Resort and Club as Texas-based Filipino ringside physician Allan Recto, an avid follower of Pacquiao, listened intently.

“If there’s a knockout, it will come,” said Clottey, who blew into town half-an-hour ahead of Pacquiao, who came in on board a private plane that took off from Los Angeles.

Clottey, looking robust and upbeat, said he currently weighs 162 lbs and that making the 147-lb limit won’t be a problem.

The African banger hasn’t fought since dropping a controversial 12-round split decision to Miguel Cotto in June last year in New York.

Despite the inactivity, Clottey, who is now based in the Bronx in New York, remained in fighting form, having spent most of his free time playing soccer.

A training camp in either Florida or Nevada is being eyed by Clottey’s camp.

Source: mb.com.ph

Pacquiao, Clottey to face media

ARLINGTON, Texas. – Manny Pacquiao and promoter Bob Arum arrived Monday night here in time for a press conference on Tuesday formally announcing the March 13 fight against Joshua Clottey at Jerry Jones’ Cowboys Stadium.

A report carried by Phil-boxing.com said Clottey has also arrived and is staying at the same hotel where Pacquiao is billeted.

Jones’ Cowboys were knocked out of the NFL playoffs Sunday by Minnesota 34-3, so the Cowboys owner, co-promoter of the fight, has time on his hands to work on the fight.

After the Tuesday press conference, the group will leave for New York City for another media conference on Wednesday.

Pacquiao begins training at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood with Freddie Roach on Thursday.

Pacquiao has fought twice in Texas, winning both times. In November 2003, he stopped the heavily-favored Marco Antonio Barrera of Mexico in the 11th round. In April 2006, he stopped another Mexican, Jorge Solis, in the eighth round.

Source: malaya.com.ph

Pacquiao sees great fight against Clottey

Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao is now in the United States to start the pre-fight publicity and preparations for what he anticipates as a great fight with Joshua Clottey of Ghana.

Arriving to a huge welcome at the LAX on a rainy Sunday night (Monday morning in Manila), Pacquiao said he looks forward to fighting Clottey in an exciting showdown on March 13 at the Cowboys Stadium in Dallas.

“Abangan ninyo po ang Clottey fight sa March 13, maganda ito, a very exciting fight," Pacquiao said before TV cameras that covered his arrival in Los Angeles.


The reigning pound-for-pound king will spend the night in LA, then travel to Dallas Monday morning for a press conference formally announcing the PPV card dubbed “The Event." The next day, the Pacman will fly to New York for a second media gab at the Madison Square Garden Theater.

According to PhilBoxing.Com, Pacquiao will open his training camp by Thursday morning.

Pacquiao himself is confident his training team, headed by Freddie Roach, will be able to whip him into tip top shape and devise a strategy that will make him victorious yet again.

“Pag-aaralan pa namin ni Freddie Roach kung ano’ng gagawin naming strategy. Pero sigurado ako na talagang maganda ang gagawin namin," he earlier told GMA News during a send-off party in Manila.

Pacquiao will defend his World Boxing Organization welterweight title against the tough Clottey. The Ghanaian challenger earlier unsuccessfully vied for the same belt but dropped a split decision to Miguel Cotto, who eventually yielded the strap to Pacquiao. - GMANews.TV

Source: gmanews.tv

Clottey is an easy target according to Roach

DALLAS — Aboard the private plane that brought Manny Pacquiao and select members of his team here Monday night, it was the fighter’s celebrated trainer Freddie Roach who provided the juiciest quotes.

Roach told The Bulletin that while he is not underestimating Joshua Clottey, who Pacquiao faces on March 13 at Cowboys Stadium in the neighboring city of Arlington, the Ghanaian will find it hard to cope with the energy level that the Filipino brings to the ring.

“Clottey is passive,” said Roach, raising his two arms to mimic Clottey’s moves in an actual fight.

“Manny fights every second of every round and Clottey doesn’t do that. He just raises his arms,” he said.

Still, Roach believes “it is still going to be a hard fight because Clottey is big and strong.”

Roach is so wary of the remaining time available that he wants Pacquiao to begin sparring by Tuesday or Thursday of next week.

Pacquiao, who slept most of the way during the three-hour trip from Las Vegas, is due for his first day or training on Thursday at the conclusion of the press tour that actually kicks off with a press conference on Tuesday afternoon at the Cowboys Stadium.

Top Rank chief Bob Arum swears the presentation on Tuesday will be unforgettable, noting that Texas billionaire Jerry Jones, worked hard in making sure the event will be something that is out of the ordinary.

Arum actually joined Pacquiao on the journey here, having sent a plane to pick up Pacquiao in Los Angeles before being fetched himself at Henderson Executive Airport just outside of Las Vegas.

Aboard the 13-seater jet, the travel time from Los Angeles to Henderson was a mere 35 minutes, while it took a little over two hours for the Henderson-Dallas leg to be completed.

Also on board were Arum’s stepson and Top Rank president Todd BuBoef and Carl Morreti, another Top Rank bigshot, as well as Pacquiao’s advisers Mike Koncz and Jeng Gacal, ring announcer Michael Buffer and this writer.

Pacquiao and Clottey as well as the Top Rank crew are billeted at the ultra-expensive Four Seasons Resort and Club.

From here, Pacquiao will proceed to New York for another gig at Madison Square Garden.

Source: mb.com.ph

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Clottey will bring it vs. Pacquiao on March 13 at Cowboys Stadium

The boxing world may be bummed that the Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather Jr. fight has been scrapped, having been replaced by Pacquiao vs. Joshua Clottey on March 13 at Cowboys Stadium.

But, drama and importance aside, "The Event" -- the nickname given the scheduled 12-round WBO welterweight title fight -- promises to be a better action fight than Pacquiao-Mayweather ever could.

Clottey, (35-3, 21 knockouts), is no joke. He's pushed every big name he's ever fought, including Antonio Margarito and Miguel Cotto, both of whom scraped by the Ghanian slugger via close decision. Certainly, there are many who feel Clottey was robbed last June 13, when he and Cotto duked it out in one of the better slugfests of 2009.

Clottey and his fans screamed "hometown decision" after Cotto won a split nod in the Puerto Rican's adopted home of New York City. Cotto sure looked the worse for the wear, sporting a bruised and bloody face at the end of the war.
Clottey also took it to Zab Judah in August of 2008, winning by technical decision after 9 rounds.

The Filipino superstar will be a solid favorite. But he tends to have problems with aggressive, solid-chinned sluggers. Just look at how he struggled with Erik Morales (Pac-Man's last loss, in March 2005) and twice with Juan Manuel Marquez (a draw in May 2004 and a win in March 2008).
Clottey, while one-dimensional, could be trouble.

Souce: elpasotimes.com

Party is over for Pacquiao

MANILA, Philippines - Late nights, sleepless nights, are over for Manny Pacquiao.

Because once he lands in Los Angeles, Pacquiao should be eating, breathing and thinking of Josh Clottey until the night they climb the ring and fight at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on March 13.

For the next seven weeks, there’s nothing else to do but train.

The last few days, Pacquiao had been out partying and engaging himself in his favorite pastime, playing billiards at this special place in Malate, sometimes for as long as the sun rises.

Someone close to Pacquiao said it’s just his way of having “good, clean fun.”


Another source said the 31-year-old pound-for-pound champion, who can easily make $15 million per fight, came home the other day to his Hyatt Hotel suite richer by P3 million ($63,000) through money games.

Pacquiao was scheduled to board a Philippine Airlines flight last night along with his Canadian adviser Mike Koncz, his brother Bobby, his lawyer Jeng Gacal, and trainers Nonoy Neri and Roger Fernandez.

A press conference is up in Dallas on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila), and then another one in New York the day after. Pacquiao reports for his first day of training under Freddie Roach at the Wild Card Gym in LA on Thursday.

Saturday evening, Koncz faced the media at the Hyatt Hotel, gladly announcing the negative results of a drug test which Pacquiao took last Dec. 30, and talked about the coming fight, which is said isn’t going to be easy.

“I don’t think any fight is easy,” he said, not against Clottey, a 32-year-old former world champion from Ghana, who is as big or as popular as Pacquiao’s latest victims, including Oscar dela Hoya, Ricky Hatton and Miguel Cotto.

“Clottey is hungrier. And he knows that if he beats Manny he becomes a superstar,” said Koncz of the muscular opponent who, for the first time in his 15-year career, will be paid more than $1 million for a single fight.

Clottey has never been knocked out, and in his 39 fights has only lost thrice. They were questionable losses to Carlos Baldomir (disqualification in 1999), Antonio Margarito (2006) and Cotto (2009).

“Clottey is differednt from Cotto or even (Floyd) Mayweather. He’s stocky and muscular. I really think this is going to be a difficult fight. What Clottey has that Cotto didn’t have was a tight defense.

“And the volume of punches that he throws is just great. It’s not going to be a walk in the park. His hands are always up protecting his head and he comes after you with a lot of punches,” said Koncz.

Pacquiao was at ringside when Cotto and Clottey figured in a bloody 12-round duel last June.

“And Cotto hit him with everything he had and he kept on coming. Clottey is a real opponent and there will be no excuses after the fight which is going to be at 147 pounds – no catchweight.” said Koncz.

Source: philstar.com

Pacquiao vs Clottey Trailer

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Evenly match Pacquiao vs Clottey – Miguel Cotto

LOS ANGELES – Take it from somebody who’s been there in the ring with both Manny Pacquiao and Joshua Clottey.

Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto told the Bulletin on Friday that the duel between Pacquiao and Clottey “will be very tough for both fighters,” citing the Filipino’s lightning-quick speed and punching power and the Ghanaian’s edge in size and strength as crucial factors in determining who wins the March 13 face-off at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas.

“Clottey keeps his hands up all the time and that’s going to help him against Manny’s quickness,” said Cotto in an interview facilitated by Bryan Perez, Cotto’s aide-de-camp.

Cotto barely edged past Clottey when they rumbled in June last year at Madison Square Garden in New York, winning a disputable 12-round split decision.

Five months later, Cotto returned to the ring and faced Pacquiao, who stopped him in the 12th round at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Having tasted the fury of Clottey and Pacquiao’s blows in succession, Cotto has drawn a conclusion.

“Clottey is physically stronger and bigger but Pacquiao hits harder,” said Cotto, who is still hurting from the sudden demise of his father Miguel Sr. earlier in the year.

“I am moving on (with my life) but still no boxing for me.”

Cotto, however, is heading to New York next week for an important gig involving his promotional outfit Top Rank, which is planning to stage his comeback on June 12 against Yuri Foreman in New York.

Meanwhile, Clottey told the US website East Side Boxing just before he flew back to New York from Accra that “I really want to prove my point in this fight; to prove the whole world that I am the best.”

Clottey is now back in training mode in his homebase in the rough Bronx section of New York, according to his manager Vinny Scolpino, who revealed that despite a two-month absence, Clottey remains in terrific shape “because he plays soccer when he is not training for a fight.”

Source: mb.com.ph

Pacquiao-Clottey: Set Up OR Sacrificial Lamb?

By P.H. Burbridge - The events of the last few weeks have left a lot of us wavering between frustrated to disillusioned to down right angry to hopeful. The fight we all wanted to see that once seemed just within our grasp was violently snatched away creating a void and also sparking the most hotly debated issue we’ve seen in a while. In the fall out two very distinct groups have emerged, the believers and the non-believers. Some have chosen to stand by Pacquiao and point to various scenarios while rationalizing his decision not to acquiesce while others view his refusal as absolute “proof” that he’s hiding something. The only people who know for certain what the truth is are Manny and his inner circle. Whatever the motivation we’ll all agree that some of us can accept it and others just can’t! So, regardless of which group you fit into it’s time to move on. At least, for now. There is some interest building for Manny’s March 13th title defense against former IBF welterweight champion Joshua Clottey (35-3, 20 KO’s) in Dallas, Texas but its hardly captured the fight worlds imagination. Perhaps another dose of HBO’s 24/7 will help convince some of us. Joshua Clottey is seen as one of those hard luck fighters who always seem just on the outside of the spotlight. He’s no slouch but he’s also not anybody’s secret weapon. We’ve seen him look good against decent fighters like Diego Corrales and Zab Judah but we’ve also been puzzled by his seeming inability to capitalize on opportunities against the likes of Antonio Margarito and Miguel Cotto. The old timers have a saying for fighters like Clottey, “He fights just hard enough to lose”. Everybody respects him because he’s likable and appears to have the required skill set to compete with anyone on any given night but he also has shown an inability to maintain a consistent attack at crucial moments in big fights. That’s what his history tells us and if you follow that line of thought then Joshua Clottey is the perfect opponent for Manny Pacquiao..

Especially now!

Once the Mayweather fight fell through Bob Arum needed a name fighter with decent credentials who he could easily and quickly deliver to Manny Pacquiao. He needed a man on short notice who would provide little to no resistance in negotiations.

Enter Joshua Clottey. A fighter who lost his last match against the man Manny Pacquiao just beat for the WBO welterweight title, Miguel Cotto. Clottey is someone who once showed great promise but who never made it to the next level. Clottey’s one loss away from boxing's point of no return where the names are referenced only in a “past” tense manner.

The boxing life cycle if you have a moderate level of success works as such, you go from being a hot prospect to a world champions to an ex-champion to a stepping stones in a blink of an eye in this sport. Some faster than others and for Joshua Clottey he might be cycling OUT!

On paper this seems like a safe fight for Manny because he has clear advantages in speed and pedigree. The size edge goes to Clottey but Joshua often time gives up his height so don’t expect that to be a major factor. Clottey is a snappy puncher but by no means a devastating puncher and being that Pacquiao has an excellent chin I don’t see any real danger here. The big problem for Clottey is that he often falls asleep at the wheel by doing more looking and blocking than punching and scoring. His punch out put goes from strong in one round to infantile in the next. This inconsistency has defined his career as much as his flashes of excellence. His stamina has also been questioned because his punch output drops significantly late in fights. Although he never appears outwardly tired his lack of aggression and lackadaisical manner suggests fatigue. This adds to his value as an opponent when you consider that Pacquiao appears to get stronger as fights wear on.

Joshua Clottey was chosen because he has acceptable credentials and everybody knows that the Mayweather fight is still just down the road. All they needed was a safe opponent so they could pivot out of this whole “I want your blood” controversy. In my opinion, they wouldn’t take an opponent they weren’t absolutely 100% convinced they couldn’t beat. That’s how this works and Manny isn’t the first to do it and he won’t be the last. Give the general public the “impression” that you’re taking on a serious challenger without putting yourself in too much jeopardy. Don’t worry Mayweather fans. Floyd will be doing exactly the same damn thing!

Both guys are taking “holding pattern” fights. It’s the business of big time boxing.

But, that doesn’t mean we wont be entertained by these fights. Manny’s fight with Clottey does offer some interesting possibilities.

Is it possible for Clottey to pull off an upset here at 32 years of age and emerge as a top ten P4P fighter? Sure but its HIGHLY unlikely. Manny appears to have too much of everything to create any real drama here and if he sticks to his normal in and out tactics he should be able to win a comfortable decision. I don’t see a knockout for either guy and my only concern for Pacquiao would be from a potential (and likely) head butt which seems to have become a staple of Joshua’s recent attacks. Could Manny lose this fight by his own hands? Yeah, he could if he goes for the knockout as Freddie Roach has hinted to in the press recently but, again he’s got a good set of whiskers and we haven’t seen anything in his recent history to suggest that he’s vulnerable in anyway. Plus Roach has a history of saying things in the press just to build fan interest. He’s too smart to tell us what he really has planned.

But, that doesn’t mean there aren’t any scenarios for Clottey to achieve some measure of success. There are!

Clottey when he’s aggressive looks quite formidable and has an excellent jab when he uses it. IF he commits to the jab he has a chance here because he does have excellent defense and could conceivably frustrate Pacquiao by making him reach for his body while timing him with the jab and hitting Manny on the way out. Don’t underestimate a reach advantage. Yes, boxing is about timing but there’s a lot to say for a reach advantage and finding your range too. Clottey’s defense will at times create problems for Pacquiao like it did for Margarito, Corrales, Judah and Cotto. It forces fighters to aim for a very small target between his elbows and his flanks. This is a designed tactic to make opponents focus on a lower target so he can land his shots to the head. Ike Quartey was excellent at using this very same tactic. When Clottey gets his opponents to commit to those shots he unloads his half hooks - half uppercuts. Those are his most effective punches and he gets tremendous leverage on those shots when he’s moving forward. Pacquiao will have to be on high alert for that sequence and will no doubt move in and out of range accordingly. If Manny can manage that sequence then he’ll be just fine but if he has trouble shutting it down or getting out of range then you’re going to see him take some shots and that could be interesting.

Manny as he showed in the Cotto fight can be hit by the jab and he has also shown some lapses in his defense. He’s proven that he can take a good shot but what we learned in the Cotto fight is that his face starts to come apart a little. This is what you would expect from a fighter moving up in weight. The opponents punch harder so more damage is done by fewer shots. Pacquiao, although he beat Cotto in spectacular fashion left that fight with some significant abrasions to his face and his right ear. The ear damage was caused by Cotto’s left hook and an injury like that should it reoccur could potentially cause issues with his equilibrium.

Clottey will test that theory in their fight BUT it’s still a long shot.

If Clottey can replicate or create a similar level of damage and impose not so much his punching power but his overall physical strength then MAYBE he can wear Pacquiao down on his way to a TKO stoppage. (And that’s a big “MAYBE”) That’s really his best chance at winning. This is a Top Rank Promoted event in TEXAS where questionable judgments are not some distant memory so Clottey will need to take matters into his own hands to a large degree. If he can disrupt Manny’s timing and force him into a close quarters battle then his chances of wining increase significantly.

Roach knows this. Clottey, unlike Miguel Cotto has absolute confidence in his chin and will accommodate Pacquiao if he steps inside to brawl. Where Miguel ran away from Manny Joshua will run AT Manny. Again, I think Manny is too smart to engage this way and seriously doubt Roach would allow him to so get ready for a lot of spinning out of range. In this case, that’s absolutely the correct tactic. Although Joshua is not be as hard of a puncher as Miguel Cotto he does give out a more durable vibe which could give the overall impression that Pacquiao isn’t hurting him which might prompt Manny to stay in Clottey’s punching range in attempt to hurt him. That could be a mistake and Roach will work hard to keep him focused on fighting his normal fight at his normal pace. Don’t be a tough guy and don’t get discouraged especially if Manny’s not hurting Clottey. Just stay focused on landing volume shots and winning rounds.

For Clottey, he must do something he’s always had difficulty doing in big fights and that’s answer back! HE MUST ANSWER BACK!!

He can’t get into his usual head shaking “you didn’t hurt me” mode because the rounds will start whisking by and the next thing he’ll know it will be the 9th round and he’ll find himself in a serious hole on the score cards. He MUST increase his punch output and give the overall impression that HE’s forcing the action.

If he doesn’t establish that early and I do mean EARLY in the first 3 rounds then expect this to turn into a glorified sparring session for Pacquiao.

If Clottey fights like he’s just happy to be there rather than with the aggression he keeps promising then AFTER this fight you’ll know exactly what stage of the boxing life cycle you can find him.

STEPPING STONE…

Source: eastsideboxing.com

Friday, January 15, 2010

Clottey's big chance for respect

Is it really a wise decision for Joshua Clottey to take a fight against Manny Pacquiao? For the past few months, I've had a few conversations with Clottey about his goals in this sport. Taking on a fighter of Pacquaio's caliber, looks to hinder those goals more than enhance them.

Clottey's goals:

Clottey recently expressed to me, he needed this fight to get back on track. He considers himself as one of the top welterweights out there.. Not to mention, he is intrigued by the big pay day. If anything what he plans to gain from this fight is respect. Taking out Pacquaio means a whole new outlook on his career. Now comes the time for him to capitalize on this opportunity.

March 13:

Clottey will be stepping in the ring after a 9 month lay off facing Manny Pacquaio. The Manny Pacquaio that managed to destroy Miguel Cotto, who Clottey lost to back in June.
Joshua Clottey is confident he can beat Manny Pacquaio. Although Clottey has an array of talent this is a dangerous fight for him.

Pacquaio's key to winning:

As I stated before speed, accuracy, stamina, and strength equals a winning combination and Pacquaio has it all. I have yet to see anyone dodge Pacquaio's blinding combinations. Clottey has a tendency to have difficulty regrouping after being hit. Rest assure Pacquaio will continuously come after Clottey, not allowing him any time to regroup from punches.

Clottey's weakness and strengths:

Clottey is a highly underrated true welterweight. Big and strong with punching power to match. When Clottey is on guard his defense is solid. He holds his hands high and it becomes extremely difficult to hit him. I believe Clottey can take many of Pacquaio's punches. Clottey's main weakness is he becomes complacent during fights and can be inactive when it counts.


My predictions on this fight:

As far as Clottey pulling out a victory, its as likely as the chances of winning the lottery the way Pacquaio has fought lately. It's also unclear how long Clottey's lay off will affect him. I'm remaining optimistic that Clottey will produce a good performance. However if Clottey took Pacquaio's punches can he effectively counter? Of course Clottey has punching power that can inflict damage on any opponent. I don't see him being able to land many against a lightning quick Pacquiao. Pacquaio has a habit of landing a flurry of punches and getting away before an opponent can counter. I can see this fight possibly going to decision with Pacquaio prevailing.

Source: 8countnews.com

Pacquiao always on Clottey’s mind

LOS ANGELES — Like Manny Pacquiao, his Ghanaian foe Joshua Clottey is also a fitness freak.

Clottey, who faces Pacquiao on March 13 at the Cowboys Stadium in Dallas, Texas, is already back in the gym in the Bronx in New York, with the image of the Filipino running through his mind just about every time he works out a sweat.

Vinny Scolpino, Clottey’s manager, told the Bulletin on Thursday afternoon that his fighter arrived from Ghana a couple of days ago and is back in training mode.

“(Clottey is) training right now in the Bronx,” said Scolpino, who says he is operating a call center business somewhere in Cavite, a province just outside Manila.

Clottey, 32, spent two months in his native Ghana, and remained “in a very good condition” despite fighting the last time in June 2009, losing a close decision to Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico.

“Joshua doesn’t allow himself to go out of shape,” insists Scolpino, “(because) he plays soccer (when he is not training for a fight).”

Clottey will continue to train up until he heads to the two-city press tour in Dallas on Tuesday and in New York on Wednesday.

At the conclusion of the promotional tour, Clottey will either camp out “either in Florida or Nevada” for the most crucial phase of his preparation.

Meanwhile, tickets go on sale next Saturday with the premium ringside seat priced at $700.

Top Rank publicity chief Lee Samuels said tickets pegged at $500, $300, $200, $100 and $50 would also go on sale on that day.

The 80,000-capacity stadium, built to a staggering cost of $1.2 billion, will be reconfigured to 50,000 for the fight, the first time the sport is going to be held at the venue owned by Texas billionaire Jerry Jones.

Source: mb.com.ph

Thursday, January 14, 2010

I will shock the world - Joshua Clottey


by James Slater - Former IBF welterweight champion Joshua Clottey landed the biggest fight of his career when the eagerly awaited Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather Junior fight fell apart. The teak-tough 32-year-old from Ghana received the great news last week whilst in his homeland of Ghana, and yesterday the 35-3(20) warrior arrived back in New York. Having had some bad luck recently - what with his big fight with "Sugar" Shane Mosley, originally set for Boxing Day, 2009, called off - Clottey is at last the beneficiary of some fortune his hard work has earned him.

Very kindly taking the time to speak with me on the upcoming mega-fight with the pound-for-pound king, the always modest and easygoing Clottey had the following answers to my questions:

James Slater: Congratulations on getting the huge fight with Pacquiao! Thank you so much for taking the time to speak with me, Joshua, I know you've got a lot going on. First of all, is this the best possible fight you could have hoped for? If you could have picked your dream fight, would this fight with Manny Pacquiao have been it?

Joshua Clottey: Thank you very much. Yes, this is the fight I have always wanted. I've always wanted fights like this - against the best fighters in the world. I really want to prove my point in this fight, prove to the whole world that I am the best. I'm so happy about getting this fight with the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world..

J.S: After all the recent disappointments you've had, with the Shane Mosley fight falling through for one thing - have things turned out even better in the long run? You now have the Pacquiao fight, and everyone knows you deserve it.

J.C: Yes, you're right. I was upset when the Mosley fight fell through, but this is better. I'm most honoured to be getting this fight - this is what I've always wanted.

J.S: When did you get to the U.S from Ghana?

J.C: Yesterday. I had to come back to sign the contract today. It will all be wrapped up today.

J.S: I know you are a guy who is always in shape, but when will you begin camp for March 13th?

J.C: Right now, I have to do the press conference. I want to say thank you to Top Rank - they have been so good to me throughout my career. And I want to say thank you to Manny Pacquiao as well. Then, after the press conference, I will sort out my training camp. Right now I am running, I'm jogging in the morning and in the afternoon.

J.S: Is it too early talk about who you will be sparring with? Lots of southpaws though, obviously.

J.C: I will think about who I will spar with later, but one thing about me is, I know how to handle southpaws easy. [Miguel] Cotto switched to southpaw in the fight and it was no problem. So I'm not concerned about Pacquiao's stance. I can handle that good.

J.S: A key question, Joshua, is at what weight will the fight take place at? Will it be a catch-weight fight, like the Pacquiao-Cotto fight was?

J.C: It will be at full welterweight. Manny Pacquiao is a very nice person, and he wants to show the world he can fight a real welterweight, someone who is big like me.

J.S: If that did come about, though, and they asked you to fight at, say, 145-pounds, would you do it?

J.C: That's never been talked about. Bob Arum got him to agree to fight at 147, and I want to thank Bob Arum for that. If I had to [come in at 145] I don't think I could really do it. I wouldn't want to drain myself. Boxing is dangerous and I wouldn't want to fight while weakened.

J.S: Well, that's good news, the fight being at a full 147. As great as Pacquiao is, you think you can beat him. How hard do you see the fight being?

J.C: You know, this is not an easy fight at all. But you know me, I always come to do my job in the ring, and I come to make the people happy. I can handle southpaws well and I will beat Pacquiao. I'm ready to shock the world.

J.S: Do you yourself think it will be considered an amazing upset if you beat Pacquiao, or will people say, "well, Clottey was too big for Pacquiao?"

J.C: I don't know if people will be amazed, but I will beat him. If I do, people may then say that he [Pacquiao] can't beat real welterweights. But if he can win, they will say he has beaten a real guy at the weight. But if I beat him, they will say he wasn't able to beat the genuine welterweights.

J.S: You mean because of the way Pacquiao beat a weight-drained Oscar de La Hoya, and a 145-pound Cotto, the critics will say that?

J.C: Yes. I want to see myself, if Pacquiao beat those guys - De La Hoya, Cotto, Ricky Hatton, because of the weight they had to come down to. I also want to see if he beat those guys for real or if he beat them with something. I will show the world the answer to this question.

J.S: When you say with "something," do you mean what all the Floyd Mayweather thing has been about? I mean, we can't say anything about steroids, we could get in trouble, and we can't say Pacquiao uses or has used them.

J.C: No, I don't think he has used steroids, but I can't say for sure. But if he has, it's very unfair. I'm going up against him now, and I want to see if he can beat a real, big, natural welterweight.

J.S: How will you fight Pacquiao? And will he be the fastest guy you'll have ever fought?

J.C: It's too early to talk about my tactics, but I will follow him; I will come forward in the fight. Yes, he will be the fastest guy I'll have fought, but Pacquiao is also durable as well as fast. I'm concerned about his speed, of course, but every time I hit him he will feel it, and maybe this will break him down. I think this will be a nice fight. There's one thing about me; I hate losing.

J.S: This is a huge fight; do you feel any more nervous or excited than you have before any other fight?

J.C: I feel more happy with this fight than for any other. It's not easy to get a fight with Manny Pacquiao, the best pound-for-pound in the world. I want to see how good he and Freddie Roach are - I'm fighting them both and I want to see how they perform. I want to see what they can do against me.

J.S: The sky's the limit for you if you can win this one, Joshua. Has Pacquiao made a mistake by fighting you?

J.C: Well, we always ask that before a fight. People have asked me that - as I am bigger and stronger than him. In that regard, he has made a mistake. But he is fast and he wants to prove to the world he can beat someone as big and as strong as me.

J.S: Well, we all look forward to the fight. It's been a pleasure speaking with you, Joshua. Can I ask you finally: how do you see yourself winning - on points or by KO?

J.C: I think I'll win on points, but if a KO comes I'll take it and give it to the world.

Source: eastsideboxing.com