Final bell for Manny Pacquiao?

The Filipino boxer might be headed for his last bout because of other interests, including politics, and a fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr. just might never happen.

Manny Pacquiao's trainer, Freddie Roach, delivered this knee-buckling assessment for boxing fans already distraught by the failed Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather Jr. negotiations.

"This could be our last fight," Roach said last week, as Pacquiao heads into the final days of training for his March 13 welterweight world title bout against Joshua Clottey at Cowboys Stadium outside Dallas.

Roach's sobering speculation about boxing's biggest star is based on a chain of events that could occur.

Pacquiao, 31, is running for a congressional seat in his native Philippines. If elected in May, he'll represent a community of about 400,000 people in need of improved healthcare, education and employment that the boxer himself was deprived of while being raised in poverty.

"I can see the help people need because I've been in that place," Pacquiao said. "They're poor, suffering, and needing help from the government. I know what they feel."

His public-service duties will be tremendous, the boxer and his closest advisors know, and his election is more realistic than it was when he failed to win a national seat a few years ago.

Pacquiao, recently selected fighter of the decade, has won 11 consecutive fights against the likes of Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Miguel Cotto and Juan Manuel Marquez.

If he beats Clottey as expected, and if Mayweather defeats Shane Mosley on May 1, negotiations for a Pacquiao-Mayweather bout are likely to resume.

"I've talked to Manny about this. And if Mayweather doesn't come back to the table in a mood to negotiate, the public demand won't be there for any other fight," Roach said. "So if Manny wins the election and likes politics, this [Clottey fight] could be it. And I have no problem with that. I don't want Manny to be one of those guys who stays too long. It's better to go out on top.

"That's my goal for him, and I've told him, 'Don't do it like everyone else in the world.' "

Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38 knockouts) has fought only six fewer bouts than Muhammad Ali, and has boxed the same number of rounds (305) that "Sugar" Ray Leonard had when he retired.

Roach also serves as a reminder of the perils of an overextended boxing career, as he battles the effects of pugilistic Parkinson's syndrome.

Before a recent workout at Roach's Wild Card gym in Hollywood, Pacquiao expressed enthusiasm to fight Mayweather but noted the uncertainty over his future.

"It's hard to say. Is this my last fight? We'll see," Pacquiao said. "One never knows. It's still so early to be talking about this, but I do like the thought of going out on top.

"We did a lot in boxing, achieved a lot -- more than what we set out to do."

Pacquiao's promoter, Bob Arum, said he was "inclined to doubt" that his star fighter would walk away from the sport.

The reason?

"Money," Arum said, referring not only to the $12-million guaranteed payday Pacquiao will get for fighting Clottey, but similar purses he'd generate against other non-Mayweather foes. "That's a fortune in the Philippines," Arum said.

As Pacquiao prepares for Clottey, his workout regimen remains intense. His devotion to the sweet science is such that his sparring partner, Steve Forbes, describes Pacquiao as a human version of a "little Tasmanian devil."

Yet, Pacquiao's popularity gives him options to make a lucrative income outside the sport in acting, music and endorsements.

And the bitterness of the previous Pacquiao-Mayweather negotiations lingers. The fighters argued over Mayweather's insistence to adopt Olympic-style drug testing before the bout. Mayweather's implications led Pacquiao to sue Mayweather for defamation.

"In my opinion, [Mayweather] wasn't ready for the fight, he needed a reason to stop it," Pacquiao said. "People say to me all the time they want to see Pacquiao-Mayweather, Mayweather-Pacquiao, whatever you want to call it, and I'm a fighter," he adds, pounding over his heart with his right fist, "I'm concerned with giving the people what they want.

"Look, if I was bigger than him, I can understand him making this big deal. He's bigger than me. We have a boxing commission in Nevada. They were fine with what we were doing [regarding testing]. The fighter doesn't get to change the rules."

On his Twitter page, Mayweather responded to a follower by asking, "Ask [Pacquiao] why he wouldn't take a $25,000,000 blood test, because I honestly don't know."

Meanwhile, Mayweather's promoter, Richard Schaefer, cast a dire tone about future contract talks.

"I've never said I believe I'll be able to get this fight done the second time," Schaefer said. "Each side feels strongly about its position, and I don't see either side giving in. It could be one of those scenarios where you just move on. Some fights just don't happen. That's the way of life."

And if Pacquiao retires from boxing?

"People wondered, 'Who's going to carry the mantle?' after Oscar retired, and Manny Pacquiao popped up," Schaefer said. "There'll always be a next great star."


Source latimes.com

Sponsored Links:

Bob Arum: Life goes on, Manny Pacquiao vs. Joshua Clottey a competitive fight

Clottey says he has too much respect for Pacquiao to demand blood testing

The issue that killed a mega-fight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather apparently didn't even come up during the Filipino's negotiations with Joshua Clottey.

Shortly after talks between Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38 KO) and Mayweather (40-0, 25 KO) broke down because of Mayweather's insistence they implement Olympic-style drug testing, Top Rank officials announced their fighter was moving on to take a March 13 fight with Clottey at Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

During a media conference call Thursday, Clottey (35-3, 20 KO) characterized the opportunity to face Pacquiao as "a blessing" and said questioning Pacquiao's credibility never crossed his mind because of the respect he has for his opponent.

"I don't want to do that because I respect him so much," Clottey said. "I don't think Manny Pacquiao would do that. If he is, he's cheating the sport, but I believe he's not."

Mayweather's accusations that Pacquiao possibly was using performance-enhancing drugs stemmed from the welterweight champion's rare ability to dominate opponents while moving up weight classes.

Pacquiao made boxing history last November when he defeated Miguel Cotto at the MGM Grand Garden Arena for a world title in an unprecedented seventh weight class. He began his professional career fighting at 107 pounds.

The Nevada State Athletic Commission only requires its fighters to take urine tests and not the random blood tests that Mayweather had demanded.

On Thursday, Top Rank promoter Bob Arum reiterated a point he's made in the past — any rule change must be made by the commission and not an individual fighter.

"My view is that is something for the commission to decide and if any participant in a boxing match wants more stringent testing, he should go before the commission and present his case," Arum said. "That's not for a bunch of amateurs to start talking about and making demands.

"That is wrong. That is what is called chaos. You go before a commission and say, 'I want such and such on testing,' and you let the commissioners decide. That's what they get paid for."

Mayweather went on to sign a deal to face Shane Mosley on May 1 in Las Vegas, which included both fighters undergoing Olympic-style drug testing.

While the details of drug testing were enough to break up what many believed would be the richest fight in boxing history, they did little to slow talks with Clottey, who is coming off a split decision loss to Cotto in June.

"I couldn't agree with Bob more," said Clottey's manager, Vinny Scolpino. "If a commission wants to implement more rules, let them and we'll follow. Manny is a super-champion and we all hope that he's doing the right thing. If he's not, the commission will find it in their drug testing and that's they way it is."

Many boxing fans were disappointed when Pacquiao and Mayweather were unable to come to terms in January, as the two are currently considered the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world.

When asked about the lingering effects of the broken deal between the two, Arum responded that fans were still receiving two great fights and need to move on.

"Life goes on," Arum said. "If Joshua beats Manny, who knows? Maybe Mosley beats Mayweather and we do a Mosley vs. Clottey fight. Who the hell knows?

"If these were walkover fights, nobody would give a damn. Are they consolation prizes? Well, in a way. The one fight everybody wanted to see didn't happen for one reason or another but now we've got, on March 13, a really good, competitive fight that I believe is Manny Pacquiao's toughest fight yet."

source lasvegassun.com

Sponsored Links:

He’s not Mayweather, but Joshua Clottey might be good enough

Watch Pacquiao vs Clottey live stream on March 13, 2010 at Dallas Stadium.

---

Timing and circumstances haven’t been kind to Joshua Clottey. He isn’t Floyd Mayweather, Jr., the welterweight everybody wanted to see against Manny Pacquiao on March 13.

Instead, Clottey has been cast as the substitute, which to a cynical public only means he isn’t Mayweather and he doesn’t have a chance against Pacquiao on a night when Cowboys Stadium in the Dallas metroplex might be the biggest attraction.

If he doesn’t feel like last season’s Detroit Lions or St. Louis Rams, then Clottey knows what it is to have been one of those replacement players in the last NFL work stoppage. In 1987, none of those guys belonged there and that’s exactly what you hear and read these days about Clottey. Pacquiao is supposed to kick him around like the soccer ball Clottey used to chase as a kid in Ghana.

Fair? I don’t think so. Then again, I’ve been wrong about these things before. I actually thought Juan Manuel Marquez was skilled, smart and tough enough to challenge Mayweather. After watching Mayweather humble Marquez through 12 one-sided rounds in September, I wondered if I had been kicked in the head one too many times.

Nevertheless, I like Clottey, perhaps not enough to pick him over Pacquiao, especially without a familiar trainer in his corner. He split with Kwame Asante after his loss by split decision in June to Miguel Cotto over a reported disagreement over money. Then, Godwin Kotay, also of Ghana, was denied a U.S. visa. Instead of Asante or Kotay, cut-man Lenny DeJesus will take the lead in Clottey’s corner.

In front a potential crowd of 45,000 and against Pacquiao’s varied skills and dangerous power, an unfamiliar face in the corner looms as a problem, especially when – not if – Clottey is in trouble.

Still, Clottey’s size, strength and durability are enough to make it difficult for Pacquiao, whose motivation could have taken a hit when an agreement to fight Mayweather fell apart because of demands that the Filipino icon undergo Olympic-style blood-testing for performance-enhancers.

Pacquiao also will jump directly into a rough-and-tumble political campaign in the Philippines after the fight.

In part, the public’s lack of any respect for Clottey might be a spillover from disgust at the abortive negotiations for Pacquiao-Mayweather. Fans and media are still angry. What they have forgotten, however, is just how close Clottey came to an upset of Cotto in front of the Puerto Rican’s loyal New York fans at Madison Square Garden.

“I did not lose the Cotto fight,’’ Clottey said Thursday during a conference call from his training camp in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Maybe not.

But Clottey also didn’t do enough in the last couple of rounds to convince anybody at ringside that he deserved more than a draw. That, like the victory he still thinks he deserves, eluded him. Clottey has been criticized for not throwing enough punches, which could quickly leave him with a deficit on the scorecards against Pacquiao’s whirlwind pace. But he is confident he can make his power count.

“I am not a flyweight,’’ Clottey said during the conference call, which will be followed by one Friday with Pacquiao. “I’m not a bantamweight. I’m a welterweight. I throw punches that connect.’’

As a natural welterweight, unlike the smaller Pacquiao (5-foot-6 ½), the 5–8 Clottey might have enough leverage to inflict some damage. Before Pacquiao’s 12th-round stoppage of Cotto in November, the Filipino’s trainer, Freddie Roach, said Clottey’s punches almost made Cotto quit during the ninth round.

“The more I play it over, the more I realize how competitive this is and that nobody with any certainty can predict the result,’’ said Top Rank’s Bob Arum, who promotes both fighters. “Everybody knows how Manny Pacquiao fights. Everybody knows the angles from which he throws punches.

“And everybody knows that Joshua Clottey is a tremendous defensive fighter and can put a real hurt on an opponent. And everybody knows that Joshua Clottey is the bigger man and Manny is the smaller man. There is talk about Manny going up in weight. But he really hasn’t. He couldn’t make 130 pounds anymore, He fought at 135. He was 138 when he fought (and knocked out) Ricky Hatton.

Now, he goes into the ring at 142 or 143 pounds on the scale and that’s not because he’s putting on weight. That’s because he has breakfast and lunch before the weigh-in. If he had to, he’d still make 135 pounds. So, the idea that he’s a big man is just not true.

“Joshua has the size. He’s the natural welterweight. Manny Pacquiao isn’t. That’s the intrigue in this fight.’’

The intrigue, at least, doesn’t include more of the noisy debate about blood-testing for performance-enhancers. Clottey, ever the gentleman, said he did not and would not demand the Olympic-style testing that Mayweather says he and every one of his future opponents, including Shane Mosley on May 1, will undergo.

“No, I don’t want to do that, because I respect him so much,’’ Clottey said. “He is a very nice guy. I feel comfortable around him. He’s respectful of everybody. I don’t think Manny Pacquiao did that thing. I trust him.”

If only, Clottey could enjoy some of that same trust. He’s not Mayweather. But, trust me, he’s a better fighter than people think.

Source 15rounds.com

Sponsored Links:

Pacquiao vs Clottey fight week events

Paquiao vs Clottey fight will kick of on March 13, 2010 at the Dallas Stadium.

Pacquiao vs Clottey Fight event schedule:

Open Workouts:

Monday, March 8
1:30 pm: Joshua Clottey
2:00 pm: Humberto Soto

Tuesday, March 9
1:30 pm: Manny Pacquiao

Wednesday, March 10

12:30 pm: Official Press Conference begins at Cowboys Stadium – East Plaza (closed to the general public)

1:30 pm: Press Lunch Cowboys Stadium – Main Club South (closed to the general public)

Undercard Press Conference:
Thursday, March 11
1:00 pm: Press Conference Begins - Gaylord Texan – Grapevine A&B
Weigh-In (Open to the Public):

Friday, March 12
5:00 pm: On Scale Cowboys Stadium – Outside East Plaza

Current Fight Day Schedule:
4:00 pm: Doors open
5:00 pm: First bout
8:00 pm: Televised fights begin
10:00 pm: "The Event" Pacquiao vs. Joshua Clottey

Pacquiao vs Clottey live stream will be available on PPV.

Sponsored Links:

A Look At Pacquiao's Partners

Good sparring partners are a crucial element for fight preparation, and all reports coming out of the Wild Card Gym indicate that Manny Pacquiao is getting in some excellent work. I always find it interesting to look at the sparring partners elite fighters choose because it can sometimes give clues into things they are working on for their next fight, and provide a heads up on prospects the top trainers think are worth watching. In his preparation for Miguel Cotto, Manny Pacquiao sparred with Shawn Porter, who has lately been drawing attention with appearances on Showtime and ESPN's Friday Night Fights.

So let's take a look at Manny Pacquiao's sparring partners as he prepares for Joshua Clottey:

Raymundo Beltran:
Age: 28
Record 23-4 (15 KOs)
Weight: Fights between 130-135 lbs

Ray Beltran has been sparring with Manny for years and they are clearly quite comfortable with one another. While Beltran is much smaller than Clottey he has quick hands and provides Manny with good work. In his last fight, on January 9, which you can watch above, he shows that he has quite a bit of power. The KO is frightening and the ref should never be allowed in the ring again, but you can see that Beltran is good at putting his punches together.

In an interview with The Ring, Beltran talks about how he has seen Manny progress through the years, saying, "I remember when he fought Barrera the first time. He was more aggressive, aggressive, aggressive... Now, he's become a better boxer. He has better technique. He uses his brain more. He's much smarter now. You can see it in the way he fights. He and Freddie see weaknesses in opponents and they work on it."

Beltran is still only 28, so he may be able to make a move and challenge for a title in the future. It might be a long road back, however. Though he won in style last month, it was his first fight in nearly two years after suffering a shocking one-punch KO loss to Ameth Diaz in his previous fight.

Abdullai Amidu:
Age: 27
Record: 18-0 (17KOs)
Weight: 147 lbs

Amidu's record is obviously impressive, but a look at his boxrec page is cause for a little caution. Out of Amidu's 18 opponents we see a group of fighters with a combined total of 15 wins! An incredible nine of them were making their professional debut. This isn't to say that Amidu isn't a worthy sparring partner. It simply means we don't really know much about him. He has only fought in Ghana thus far, his native land. I'm certain Freddie Roach picked him partly for that very reason, as Ghanaian fighters tend to have similar styles. From Azumah Nelson to Ike Quartey and Joshua Clottey, they often fight with high guards and aggressive, powerful jabs.



Mike Dallas:
Age: 23
Record: 11-0-1 (2 KOs)
Weight: 140 lbs

Dallas is just starting his career and its obvious that Freddie Roach sees some potential in the young fighter if he has chosen to make him a key part of Manny's preparation. Dallas is the same height as Clottey and sports a similarly imposing physique. Speaking to The Ring, Dallas says of Pacquiao, "he's strong, even stronger than he was before the De La Hoya fight. He's a good counterpuncher. He's strong, he's fast and his legs are really something. His footwork is incredible He moves like a cat. He's real fast."

Dallas could be a prospect worth watching.


These, are Pacquiao's main sparring partners, but the Wild Card Gym has become a destination for many of the sport's top fighters and Pacquiao works with them all. Recent reports had him working with Steve Forbes, for example.

Joshua Clottey, meanwhile, appears to be sparring mainly with Damian Frias. All indications are that Clottey will be in terrific shape, but it's hard not to think Pacquiao's varied and accomplished sparring partners will be a big advantage on March 13.

source sportingnews.com

Sponsored Links:

Clottey's $1.2 million question: Is he mentally prepared for Pacquiao?

There is concern within the Joshua Clottey fight camp as to the mental outlook of the March 13 Manny Pacquiao WBO welterweight title challenger.

You might call it the $1.2 million question as I've learned that the African boxer will earn $900,000 while his manager, Vinny Scolpino, gets the remainder.

But don't hit the panic button. It's par for the course, this wonderment about the Ghanaian's brain waves.

Gjin Gjini owns and operates Clottey's home training base in the South Bronx, John's Gym.

Clottey and his team were planning to return there this weekend but snowy weather around New York may delay those plans.

Clottey has been training in Fort Lauderdale.

Gjini, a former fighter orginally from Albania, said you never know what Clottey's mental state will be on fight night. It's not just that he's fighting the widely acclaimed pound for pound king of all boxing.

Clottey could have outpointed Miguel Cotto last June at Madison Square Garden but he went into a mental fog and stopped being aggressive in the final rounds. Clottey lost a split decision to the rugged Puerto Rican.

There is concern within the Joshua Clottey fight camp as to the mental outlook of the March 13 Manny Pacquiao WBO welterweight title challenger.

You might call it the $1.2 million question as I've learned that the African boxer will earn $900,000 while his manager, Vinny Scolpino, gets the remainder.

But don't hit the panic button. It's par for the course, this wonderment about the Ghanaian's brain waves.

Gjin Gjini owns and operates Clottey's home training base in the South Bronx, John's Gym.

Clottey and his team were planning to return there this weekend but snowy weather around New York may delay those plans.

Clottey has been training in Fort Lauderdale.

Gjini, a former fighter orginally from Albania, said you never know what Clottey's mental state will be on fight night. It's not just that he's fighting the widely acclaimed pound for pound king of all boxing.

Clottey could have outpointed Miguel Cotto last June at Madison Square Garden but he went into a mental fog and stopped being aggressive in the final rounds. Clottey lost a split decision to the rugged Puerto Rican.

source examiner.com

Sponsored Links:

Joshua Clottey in 'Best Shape' of His Career For Manny Pacquiao

A native of Ghana who is preparing for a March 13 challenge for the WBO welterweight (147 pounds) crown held by seven-division champion, Manny Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38 KOs), of the Philippines, Joshua Clottey (35-3, 20 knockouts), of The Bronx, N.Y., spoke to FanHouse on Friday from his sleeping quarters near his training facility at Fort Lauderdale's Contender Gym in Fla.

This is the second of four diaries translated from Clottey that is appearing regularly on FanHouse as the 32-year-old fighter enters the most lucrative and biggest fight of his career.

Joshua Clottey wept, openly, earlier this month when a work Visa to the U.S. was denied to his preferred chief second, Godwin Nii Dzanie Kotey.

Kotey is perceived by many in their native Ghana as legendary and a father figure, having been the trainer for former welterweight star, Ike Quartey, of Ghana. Kotey was to be in Clottey's corner for the first time against Manny Pacquiao.

Kotey's presence was sought after Clottey had split with Kwame Asante in a reported disagreement over money -- this after Asante had served as Clottey's chief second for June's 12-round split-decision loss to then-WBO king, Miguel Cotto.

But now, with the biggest fight of his life on the horizon, Clottey was trainer-less.

Enter Lenny DeJesus (pictured above, left, with Clottey), a man Clottey had known of prior to employing DeJeus as the cutman for the Cotto fight.

A resident of the Bronx, the 32-year-old Clottey had seen DeJesus working with other fighters at the John's Gym, a venue he, himself, frequents that is located not too far from Yankees Stadium.

"I knew of DeJeus, but I didn't talk to him. Vinnie introduced me to him," said Clottey, referring to his manager, Vinnie Scolpino. "So he was used as a cut man in my fight with Miguel Cotto because he's been around for a long time. He seemed like a good choice."

Clottey said that DeJesus turned out to be even more of an asset during the fight with Cotto,

"When he was my cut man against Miguel Cotto, he pushed me. He sort of wakes you up, tells me some good things. We established a good relationship during the Cotto fight, so I chose him" to be primary trainer for the Pacquiao fight, said Clottey. "It was an easy transition. He motivates you."

Another advantage, said Clottey, is the fact that DeJesus knows a little bit about Pacquiao, having worked as the Filipino superstar's cut man throughout much the early part of his career.

DeJesus was last in Pacquiao's corner for the latter's March, 2005 loss to Erik Morales at super featherweight (130 pounds), after which Pacquiao won his next 11 bouts, eight of them by knockout.

A southpaw, Pacquiao has gotten more-and-more powerful as his weight has risen, having stopped his past four opponents, David Diaz, Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, and, Miguel Cotto, respectively, while weighing 134, 142, 138, and, 144 pounds.

"Does DeJesus know a little bit about Manny Pacquiao? Yes," said Scolpino. "But we also know that Manny Pacquiao is a different fighter now than he once was. We're prepared, but we're preparing for the Manny Pacquiao of today."

Clottey said that his respect for Pacquiao's power is among the reasons he will dethrone him.

"I have more confidence this time around because I'm taking this fight like if I win, I have bigger things ahead. I have so much respect for Manny, so that gives me more confidence because I respect the guy," said Clottey. "I respect the guy because, if he has the chance, he can stop me. So I respect him because of that, and because of that, I'm more confident."

Conversely, said Clottey, it was his lack of respect for Cotto that led to his demise.

"When I went to fight Cotto, I knew, within me, or at least my thinking was, 'I could beat Cotto because I knew Cotto had not faced a guy like me before.' That was my thinking," said Clottey.

"I didn't respect him like he was going to cause any damage," said Clottey. "So, compared to that, I respect this guy, Manny Pacquiao, because he's stopped a lot of good guys. So, I'm giving him respect, and the respect will carry me through the fight."

Clottey, who weighed out at 154 pounds on Thursday, claims to be in the best shape of his life, and punching with more power than ever.

"We're two weeks from the fight, and that's where I want to be right now. I don't want to come down too much or too fast from sparring because that might hurt you," said Clottey.

"I eat a lot of chicken and a lot of fish. It's African food. I don't eat any other meat," said Clottey. "Sometimes, I have salads -- things that make me strong and to wake up in the morning and go jogging, or which can make me go to the gym and work out. I drink a lot of water and I'm very strong in the gym at work."

In photos, the challenger (pictured above) appears to have a more muscular upper body than ever.

"This is the best shape that I've ever been in. Because, I know that I've got a really tough fight with Manny, Pacquiao. All that you've seen from my photos is from the hard work of training," said Clottey, who a week ago, already was sparring 10, four-minute rounds with a 30 second rest in between and little if any fatigue.

"You know, I'm always in shape. I train even when I'm not fighting," said Clottey. "I play soccer. So when I start training, it doesn't take long. After a three weeks or a month, I'm strong."

And that, for Clottey, has meant more energy during sparring sessions, and, throughout his training overall.

"I've been trainig to do what I have to do. When the opening's there, I'm going to find them. When he's running, and he's moving around, I'll be able to cut off the ring," said Clottey. "When he stops running, I'll throw punches. And when I throw a punch, and he's there, I will be able to land it."

There are some who have questioned Pacquiao's ability to rise from one weight class to another with power, believing that he is on steroids or some other performance-enhancing drug.

Clottey, however, said that he is not among those who believes Pacquiao is dirty.

"Manny is a good man. He prays a lot. God gave him his power. He is a great champion, and this is going to be a difficult fight," said Clottey. "However, I have a plan: Hard punching, back him up, don't let him take charge. I will pressure him."

Source Boxing Fanhouse

Sponsored Links:

Pacquiao-Clottey fight might draw 45,000 to Cowboys Stadium

Top Rank promoter Bob Arum said Thursday the Manny Pacquiao-Joshua Clottey fight is “well on its way” to selling out the 45,000 seats at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington.

“The Event” is scheduled for March 13 for Pacquiao’s welterweight title.

Arum said during Thursday’s teleconference that he expects about 4,000 tickets to remain when the fighters arrive locally the week before the bout.

He said opening up additional seats would be up to Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.

Arum said having a heavy undercard of Hispanic fighters helps appeal to the local Hispanic community. WBC super featherweight champion Humberto Soto (Mexico) will fight former WBC lightweight champion David Diaz (Chicago) for the vacant WBC lightweight title. Mexico’s Jose Castillo and Alfonso Gomez also highlight the undercard.

However, Arum suggested that many Hispanic fight fans have embraced Pacquiao, a Filipino who is widely considered the top pound-for-pound fighter in professional boxing.

Arum said he fell in love with Cowboys Stadium as a venue and hoped it could house a Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather Jr. bout.

Mayweather’s camp skipped a potential visit to Cowboys Stadium, which embarrassed Arum.

When that fight fell apart Arum immediately called Jones to arrange Cowboys Stadium for the Clottey fight. Speaking of the failed Mayweather bout, the ultimate deal breaker proved to be Mayweather’s camp insisting on stringent drug testing.

Clottey’s representatives didn’t ask for additional drug testing.

“I respect him too much as a fighter,” Clottey said. - Pacquiao vs Clottey

Source star-telegram.com

Sponsored Links:

Will Clottey's strategy of wearing Pacquiao down work?

Joshua Clottey and his team have said that their strategy for defeating Manny Pacquiao and taking his WBO welterweight title will revolve around wearing him down.

The immediate problem with this plan is that it's the same one that plenty of other fighters have tried in the past, and most failed spectacularly.

Granted that not all of them posed the same problems for Pacquiao that Clottey does, but the fact remains that wearing down Pacquiao is usually an uphill struggle.

Traditionally Pacquiao has always struggled with good counter punchers, and last came close to defeat against Juan Manuel Marquez. Clottey is a great counter puncher, but doesn't have the boundless energy needed to get the better of Pacquiao over 12 rounds. So as well as wearing Pacquiao down then, he will have to do it early and probably win by stoppage.

Obviously Clottey's trainers will have something more specific planned for Pacquiao than I've detailed here, but the plan seems like a gamble to me. Miguel Cotto thought his size advantage would make all the difference, and in the end he barely made a dent. Similarly the then larger Ricky Hatton was stopped in his tracks before he even got going.

As for Pacquiao and Freddie Roach, their preparations will probably sacrifice a few of the initial rounds, and wait until Clottty tires out and drops his output for Pacquiao to attack. The blueprint for beating Clottey seems to have been established and the biggest remaining factor seems to be Clottey's size and strength.

Hunter Lemore, Pittsburgh PA: "Clottey's big plan is to wear down the most durable fighter in the division, with his quit after round 6 style? This isn't going to end well for Clottey"

The gamble Clottey and his team seem to be taking is that being much bigger and stronger than Pacquiao, he will be able to hurt him early and tire him out. He might have some early success, but I can't see Pacquiao getting tired out, especially if Clottey drops the pace half way through.

Michael Brown, Pittsburgh PA: "Clottey will surprise a lot of people here, he can hit harder than Pacquiao and he can take a beating as well. If he doesn't do his usual later round fade out the fight will be close."

Clottey does have the power and chin to tough it out with Pacquiao, but I think he'll look too slow and sluggish compared to Manny's work rate. The first half might be closer than the Cotto fight, but so far Clottey hasn't shown any reason to suggest that he won't do his usual slowdown during the later rounds.

Chris Simpson, Greensburg PA: "Pacquiao will run through Clottey like a Filipino freight train and there isn't anyone out there who can stop him."

There are still three fighters who I think could give Pacquiao a run for his money. Those fighters are Floyd Mayweather, Antoino Margarito and Paul Williams. At least one of those fights will probably happen, possibly two. The only unlikely one is Paul Williams, but for the time being he's at light middleweight anyway.


Source Scott Heritage - examiner.com

Sponsored Links:

Manny Pacquiao – Joshua Clottey Creating Buzz

There are very few fighters that can capture the imagination of the public and create the excitement that Manny Pacquiao does. On March 13th, he will square off against Floyd Mayweather, JR., replacement, former IBF Welterweight Champion, Joshua Clottey in a 12 round WBO Title showdown. The steroid scandal has died down and now it’s back to business.

Joshua Clottey, 35-3, 20 KO’s, has never been stopped in his career, facing power-punchers like Miguel Cotto, Diego Corrales, and “Hands of Plaster” Antonio Margarito. His tight defense and consistency proves problematic for his opponents and if he keeps his head inside the ropes, Manny is going to have some serious problems. That is the intrigue here.

Pacquiao has to be favored and the game plan has to be to use straight punches to infiltrate the defense of Clottey. Clottey does very well fending off hooks, but the straight down the middle punches seem to be the weakness, and Manny is very good up the middle. Considering what Pacquiao did to Cotto, Ricky Hatton, and many other before them, it is likely that he has the power to hurt Clottey if he lands, but make no mistake, he’s in a real fight here on the 13th, and Clottey will be ready for the incoming.

The Pacquiao-Clottey PPV collision may give us some surprises or further cement the Filipino powerhouse as the best fighter in the game. Whatever happens, the world will be watching this fight, with the hopes that Manny pulls through and will eventually meet Floyd Mayweather, JR., inside the ring.

Source Geno McGahee - ringsidereport.com

Sponsored Links:

Pacquiao and Mayweather need to take a page from De La Hoya

Los Angeles - Maybe I can alienate myself to both Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather supporters in one flurry of the keyboard.

Before Oscar De La Hoya was the poster child for Golden Boy Promotions, the native of East Los Angeles was boxing's biggest star.

The biggest and brightest, a position that Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather seem content on battling for in separate bouts during the first half of 2010.

The unraveling on Pacquiao and Mayweather's proposed battle for early 2010 has been well documented, as Manny now finds himself on a collision course with Joshua Clottey and Floyd is set to tangle with Shane Mosley.

While both camps point the finger at the other for the drug testing fiasco, I say there is enough blame for both Team Pacquiao and Team Mayweather to share.

When De La Hoya was in his full fistic glory, I never remember him skipping over a fight due to a stalemate on contractual stipulations. Loved him or hated him, The Golden Boy fought all comers.

How did Oscar become truly Golden? By fighting the biggest and best names over and over again, with no hesitation.

Pernell Whitaker, Julio Cesar Chavez, Genaro Hernandez, Felix Trinidad, Bernard Hopkins, Fernando Vargas, Manny Pacquiao, and Floyd Mayweather are all on De La Hoya's Hall of Fame resume. He fought them all, and many others, without letting a scrap go by the wayside due to a roadblock at the negotiators table.

Pacquiao vs. Clottey and Mayweather vs. Mosley will be intriguing affairs for fight fans, but it is not the fight they wanted to see; a fight that failed to take place because of negotiations over a drug test.

Time for Pacman and Money to make sure the fight happens and carry the mantle of boxing biggest star without the business office drama.

Source Ricardo Lois - examiner.com

Sponsored Links:

Clottey’s sparring mate Damian Frias takes us inside camp, says an upset over Pacquiao is possible

In October of last year, once beaten contender Damian Frias made the move up in weight to the Welterweight division to face off with Mexico City’s Freddy Hernandez. Taking place in Laredo, Texas, the Showtime televised bout was a pivotal one for Frias in his career as his past few years up until that point had been marked by inactivity and injuries.

As the rounds went by, however, Frias didn’t appear to be himself and his passive attack saw him end up on the wrong end of a decision. In the fight Frias appeared apprehensive towards building up his work rate and despite a late rally it wasn’t one of his better nights. The 98-92 scorecards across the board reflected the actions of a fighter who simply didn’t bring his best on that night.

The Placetas, Cuba native took a little time off to regroup but insists his belief in his abilities was never in question. Upon returning to his home away from home, Contender’s Gym in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Frias eventually began to get himself back on track in hopes for a big 2010 campaign.

“I’m back in the gym training and trying to redeem myself,” Frias recently stated. “I’m working hard, working harder than before. My mindset is OK. I didn’t lose my confidence because I didn’t get beat down. I fought a full blown Welterweight. I stepped up to Welterweight and I felt that I could compete. The last round that I had in that fight actually showed me that if I choose to I can go ahead and knock these guys out if I come in there with that mindset instead of boxing.”

Contender’s Gym is like Frias’ home away from home and he goes about his regimen under the watchful eye of his trainer John David Jackson, who also looks over former champions Nate Campbell and Randall Bailey as well as Super Middleweight contender Allan Green. While Frias was certainly at ease being around familiar surroundings it wasn’t until recently when things again started to fully pick up as he crossed paths with an unlikely gym mate.

“I’ve been working with Joshua Clottey for the past two weeks,” Frias stated. “Actually almost everyday. We’ve been sparring like four times a week. It’s been intense and we are really working. He’s got my respect and I have his respect.”

Respect seems to be the type of word one who elicit when discussing Clottey, who is a solid fighter from the bottom to the top. The Accra, Ghana fighter is in line for a chance of a lifetime showdown with Manny Pacquiao on March 13th at Dallas Cowboys stadium and it’s a contest that some say he very well has a chance of winning. When assessing the preparation for the bout, Frias insists their sparring sessions aren’t for the feint of heart.

“It’s very intense,” Frias claimed. “I just got back in the gym and he really didn’t catch me at tip top shape so he forced me to get back real fast, faster than I wanted to. It’s OK because he is a guy who is in my weight class and he is considered elite and I can see that I can compete in the Welterweight class by sparring him.”

The 16-2 Frias also has a tentative bout lined up for March so both men are helping prep one another for their respected showdowns. While the action in the ring may be hot and heavy Frias insists that it has lead to a certain type of understanding between each man. Frias has been able to see many sides of Clottey in and out of the ropes.

“It’s a special bond, of course,” Frias noted. “I want to see him win. From what I can see I am his only real sparring partner. Other guys might come once a week. We’re working together and he’s also helping me. As a person from what I can see he is a humble, quiet guy. He’s a strong soldier but he’s humble at the same time. He’s real pleased, from what I can see, with where he is at. When he comes to the gym he comes ready. As soon as he comes he wraps his hands up, puts his cup on, and he’s ready.”

Sporting a 35-3 record with 20 knockouts, Clottey’s only losses have all been close affairs against former world champions. The Accra, Ghana fighter is ultra confident in his abilities and Frias points out some of the intangibles he has noticed during their time in closed quarters.

“His conditioning,” Frias said. “He has nice hand speed and he fights in combination. He’s not a dummy. He thinks, he’s quiet, and he fights very calm and from what I can see that guy doesn’t get tired at all. That’s one of his main strengths. He has some power too, he’s strong.”

It’s obvious that Clottey presents a very formidable challenge to anyone he steps in the ring with but he is still perceived as a heavy underdog to Pacquiao, who has been on a terror in his past four fights. But from getting to know the former champion on an intimate basis, Frias believes whole heartedly that everything lies in Joshua’s hands come March 13th.

“He’s good, he’s ready and it’s all up to him. If he comes to the fight with the right mindset he can be victorious and upset a lot of people. He’s not going to be a pushover for Pacquiao.”


Source examiner.com

---

Watch Pacquiao vs Clottey live stream on March 13, 2010 via PPV.

Sponsored Links:

Pacquiao Spars With Tough Fighters

Fighter of the decade and the world's best pound-for-pound boxer Manny Pacman Pacquiao has intensified his preparations for the March 13 fight against Joshua Clottey at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Texas, USA.

According to reports monitored by DAILY GUIDE SPORTS, the classic boxer is sparring with two tough fighters in order to be ready for the Ghanaian hard hitting pugilist.

The report indicates that Pacman is sparring with Steve Fobres who once fought Golden Boy Oscar De La Hoya and went the distance with him; and Raymund Beltran, a regular spar-mate.

Conditioning expert, Alex Ariza said, “Pacquiao showed amazing speed and power and was ready to go anytime.

“It was obvious that he was relaxed and happy and looking forward to the clash with Clottey (35-3, 21KOs)”, he noted.

He added that there is no welterweight in the world now who could beat Pacquiao and that includes Floyd Mayweathr Jnr and Shane Mosley.

Meanwhile, the city of Dallas is readying itself for the biggest boxing showpiece of the year.

By all indications, the Dallas area and its fans are ready to host another grand event and all-set to watch Pacquiao deliver another knockout show.

“I can't wait to see Pacquiao in action here in Dallas," exclaimed Ronald “Popeye" Jones, former 11-year veteran for the Mavericks turned Mavericks Player Development Coach.

“You see that burning fire in Pacquiao to win, to be successful. It's the same fire that Michael Jordan had." Tickets for the fight had already been sold, selling from US$50 to US$700.

source Charles Nixon Yeboah - modernghana.com

Sponsored Links:

Clottey's Problems

I keep finding it strange that if you had proposed a Pacquiao-Clottey fight two years ago people would have thought you were a lunatic. They would have thought that Clottey would crush and batter the smaller Pacquiao. Part of me thinks that we're all in for a big surprise.

But then I think about Pacquaio's recent performances, and I think about Clottey and that doubt goes away. We know what Pacquiao can do, but the news out of Clottey's camp reaffirms my feelings about him; he's a guy who isn't meant to win. For some reason things just don't seem to work out for Joshua Clottey.

In this fight we've all heard that Clottey is without his preferred trainer, who remains in Ghana dealing with visa issues. Today on Boxingscene it is reported that he is working with Pacquiao's former cutman Lenny De Jesus.

I don't know enough about De Jesus to judge his fitness to train Clottey, but I do know that there needs to be a level of trust between a trainer and a fighter. I can't imagine that is easy to create just weeks prior to the biggest fight of your career.

Equally concerning is an article in the Las Vegas Boxing Examiner. We learn that Clottey's chief sparring partner is Damian Frias. Frias reports that things are going well in camp, but notably say, "From what I can see I am his only real sparring partner. Other guys might come once a week. " 

I saw Frias fight on Showbox last year where he lost a clear decision to Freddy Hernandez. He's a decent fighter, but it does seem a little concerning that Frias, Boxrec's 250^th ranked welterweight, is Clottey's only major sparring mate. Manny Pacquiao, working at the Wildcard Gym, has an inexhaustible supply of good fighters to work with.

Does this mean Clottey can't win? Absolutely not. It does make one wonder if Clottey will be at his absolute best, if he will have given himself every advantage possible, as Pacquiao has. We know Pacquiao won't wilt in the last few rounds, he trains for it and lives for it. Will Clottey be ready? Will he be willing to do everything it takes?  For a guy like Clottey - whose career has been a series of moments where he came up just short - it sounds like it could be part of a familiar pattern.

Source sportingnews.com

Sponsored Links:

Manny Pacquiao, fighting fit and ready to fight

Head trainer Roach had to ease back on his fighters training, anxious his man would peak too early before the March 13 bout at the cowboy’s stadium, Arlington, Texas. When asked how Manny felt about fighting at the venue Roach said his fighter is honoured to be fighting in such a venue, he’s thrilled and it’s given him the extra incentive in his training in his quest to please a packed crowd.

Freddy Roach suggested Pacquiao, 50-3-2, (38) will enter the ring around 149 – 149 ½ pounds on the night of the fight, his opponent Joshua Clotty, 35-3-0. (28), is expected to weigh at least 160 pounds come the night of the fight. When asked if he was concerned with the size difference, roach said “Many is a true welterweight now and will not be fighting below the 147 limit again, if Clottey comes in at 160 pounds that does not concern me, it will only slow him down and make our job a whole lot easier.

Manny Pacquaio is said to be in tremendous condition, he reportedly started training at 149 pounds, only two pounds above the contractual weight of 147 pounds.

Sparring
Those who have witnessed the pound for pound king in sparring have been giving glowing reports; some suggest he looks ready to fight tomorrow. The Pac-Man allegedly beat up journeyman Bryan Brooks in four rounds, and almost knocked out Mike Dallas, 11-0, when the 23 year old light welterweight accidently landed a blow south of the border. Roach drafted in a new addition to the Pacquiao sparring sessions, Abdullai Amidu, a welterweight from Ghana who is undefeated with a record of 18-0, (17).

Joshua Clottey
Meanwhile on the east coast Joshua Clottey is preparing himself for the biggest opportunity of his career, one he plans on grabbing with both hands. Without the massive entourage Clottey goes about his business in Florida. “I’m not only bigger I am stronger, I have a game-plane and a motivation to beat Manny Pacquiao” said Clottey “God has given me this opportunity and I will seize that opportunity on the night of March 13. Personally I know he’s worried about me, how big and strong I am; he knows I will present him with a lot of problems, I have worked hard my whole life for this opportunity”

Aftermath
The contractual details are unclear regarding a re-match clause should Pacquiao loose this fight. I’m guessing a fight of this magnitude would have such a clause, not that there would be a need for one. If the Ghanaian Clottey were to win I feel he would happily oblige, another massive pay day and a desire to prove the first win was no upset would be enough to lure both back into the ring. I see only two routes for Pacquiao should he be the victor, the first would be a fight against the winner of Floyd Maywaether vs. Shane Mosley, pencilled in for May 1st, at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada. The other option would be to boost his historic record by winning yet another title in an eight division, light middleweight. - Pacquiao vs Clottey

Source theboxinghistorian.com

Sponsored Links:

Pacquiao vs Clottey Live Stream

Pacquiao vs Clottey Live Stream. After the destruction of Manny Pacquiao to Miguel Cotto, all eyes of boxing fans goes to Mayweather. The fight Pacquiao Mayweather comes close but later on both camp doesn't agree about the Olympics style that Floyd demanded and as a result Bob Arum find interesting with Clottey to be the next opponent of Pacquiao.

A few weeks ago Arum arrange the battle between Pacquiao vs Clottey. The rules was set for Pacquiao vs Clottey fight and the result for both camp is positive they both agreed at 147lbs. and the price stake.

But the said scheduled have never been change by Arum. Pacquiao vs Clottey is still scheduled this coming March 14, 2010. Just don't miss to watch Pacquiao vs Clottey Live Stream.

Sponsored Links:

Would Pacquiao get dominated by Mayweather?

I think it’s for the best that Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. ended up not fighting. If they had fought, I have a strong feeling that the Pacquiao hype machine would end on that night with Mayweather making Pacquiao look ridiculous in beating him either by knockout or a hopelessly one-sided decision. Pacquiao is just too wide open and flawed with his fighting ability to beat a skilled boxer like Mayweather, in my view. Pacquiao is great at beating fighters that come at him and the type that are there for him to hit, but he looks bad if he has someone that can counter punch and move.

For example, Juan Manuel Marquez really exposed many of Pacquiao’s flaws in his two fights with him. I think Marquez beat Pacquiao in both fights, even though the judges gave it to Pacquiao in the 2nd fight. Mayweather, and even better counter puncher than Marquez, with lighting fast hand speed and excellent foot speed.

Pacquiao would likely have no chance against Mayweather, and would probably get picked apart. It’s good that Pacquiao was spared having to face that kind of a boxer, because by not fighting Mayweather – or even Shane Mosley or Timothy Bradley – Pacquiao can probably retire on a strong note by maybe beating up Miguel Cotto again for the WBA light middleweight title.
There’s also a fight against Edwin Valero, a straight ahead fighter that seems to be made for Pacquiao’s style of fighting. Mayweather, though, would probably be a living nightmare for Pacquiao. Both bigger and faster than Pacquiao, Mayweather would have almost every advantage you could think of in a fight against Pacquiao.

It wouldn’t matter what Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach came up with to beat Mayweather, it wouldn’t likely work at all. Mayweather would beat Pacquiao down, hitting him each time Pacquiao tried to throw one of his shots. Pacquiao wouldn’t be able to take advantage of any of Mayweather’s mistakes, because he wouldn’t be making any.

Mayweather wouldn’t be initiating the action like Pacquiao victims Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton and Miguel Cotto. Instead, it would be Pacquiao who be forced to come at Mayweather and take his pin point shots to the head. I think it would be just an awful fight for Pacquiao. And what would be really bad is all the people that would see the fight.

The entire world would watch it, and remember it long after. Roach wouldn’t have a clue what to do to help Pacquiao out in this one. It’s beyond what Roach could come up. Mayweather has been trained since he was a small child at boxing, and has learned the craft quite well. And his physical tools make him even better. This fight would be like teacher beating up pupil.

I think it would be a massive slaughter with Pacquiao getting backside kicked by Mayweather. It’s a good thing that they don’t fight. Pacquiao is better off facing Cotto again, winning his 8th world title, and then maybe beating up Edwin Valero for his final fight. Those two fights would be an excellent way for Pacquiao to retire. He doesn’t need Mayweather. - Pacquiao vs Clottey

source Esteban Garduno - boxingnews24.com

Sponsored Links:

Manny Pacquiao vs Joshua Clottey: The Case For Clottey

Pacquiao vs Clottey - You’re probably wondering how on earth can Joshua Clottey win this fight. He appears to have little chance when he faces off against Manny Pacquiao in three weeks. Not many people outside of his homeland of Ghana, West Africa think he can win.

Here’s why.
Clottey recently lost to Miguel Cotto. The same Miguel Cotto who got beat down by Pacquiao last year. I know that it’s silly to compare how two fighters fared against a common opponent but Clottey’s performance against Cotto simply does not match up well with Pacquiao’s.
Clottey also has shown a reluctance to pull the trigger in his biggest fights. Maybe it’s an issue of physical fatigue. Or maybe it’s simply mental. Whatever it is, this gun-shy nature, especially late in his two fights against Antonio Margarito and Miguel Cotto, cost him a chance at victory in both fights. If he commits the same sin against Pac Man, he may not last 12 rounds for the first time in his career.
Yes, it appears that Clottey has no chance. But looks can be deceiving.

The Case for Joshua Clottey: Physical Strength

For the first time, Manny Pacquiao will be facing off against a full-blown, welterweight. Not a blown-up Ricky Hatton coming off a knockout loss to Floyd Mayweather. Not a weight-drained Oscar De La Hoya fighting at 147 for the first time in years.
In Clottey, Pacquiao will be facing the strongest boxer in his career. Talented, yet naturally smaller boxers like Diego Corrales and Zab Judah were unable to hold up against Clottey. Will Clottey’s strength have a similar impact on the Pac Man?

The Case for Joshua Clottey: El Dinamita

In case you didn’t know, "El Dinamita" is Juan Manuel Marquez’s fighting nickname. Simply put, Clottey better be studying film of Pacquiao’s epic wars with Marquez like an undergrad cramming for Sweet Science 101: A Lesson in Counter-Punching by Juan Manuel Marquez.
Clottey is a natural counter-puncher. Watching tapes of Marquez-Pacquiao may give him the clues that he needs to pass the considerable test that is the Pac Man.

The Case for Joshua Clottey: Manny Pacquiao

Will thoughts of his political career after boxing or of a potential fight with Floyd Mayweather, Jr. later in the year cause Pacquiao to overlook Clottey? It’s not beyond the realm of possibility that the Pac Man is looking past Clottey.
He’s accomplished just about everything in his career. What does a win against Joshua Clottey mean? If what I say is true, the always-in-shape Clottey may be primed for an upset.
What do you think?
Next week, I will state the case for Manny Pacquiao. Stay tuned.

From fightinsight.com

Sponsored Links:

Clottey could be Pacquiao’s last fight: Roach

Pacquiao vs Clottey - Boxing coach Freddie Roach said that if Floyd Mayweather Jr. keeps on playing “hard to get,” the former pound-for-pound king might actually miss the chance to fight 7-division world champ Manny Pacquiao.

Roach, who is currently training Pacquiao for his fight on March 13, said the Filipino boxer’s match with Ghana’s Joshua Clottey could be his last.

“If Mayweather doesn't come around after the fight and he doesn't sign to fight us, then this (Clottey fight) could be our last one,” the American trainer told EastSideBoxing’s On the Ropes.

Before signing up to fight Clottey, Pacquiao’s camp had negotiations with the Mayweather camp for a super fight. However, talks collapsed when the former pound-for-pound king demanded an Olympic style drug testing.

Pacquiao ended up setting a fight with Clottey to defend his World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title, while Mayweather opted to fight “Sugar” Shane Mosley.

Before the power-punching Pinoy faced Miguel Cotto in November last year, Roach said he’d be happy to see Pacquiao retire while still on top of his game.

“If negotiations with Mayweather fail and Manny wins against Cotto, he’ll be having seven world titles. Nobody has done that before, so there’s nothing else to prove,” the trainer told sports analyst Dennis Principe.

Pacquiao will also be very busy after the Clottey fight as he will be pursuing his political career. He is running for congressman in Sarangani province in the May 10 polls. The campaign for local posts starts on March 26.

It is widely believed that Mayweather came out of retirement to fight Pacquiao for what many has said would be the richest boxing match in history.

source http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/sports/02/20/10/clottey-could-be-pacquiao%E2%80%99s-last-fight-roach

Sponsored Links:

Pacquiao, 5 others are major Elorde awards honorees

MANILA, Philippines— Pacquiao vs Clottey - Pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao and five other world beaters will be the major honorees in the 10th Gabriel “Flash” Elorde Memorial Boxing Awards-Banquet of Champions on March 25 at the Harbour Tent of the Sofitel Hotel in Manila.

Pacquiao, who wrested Miguel Cotto’s World Boxing Organization welterweight title last November to become the only fighter to win seven crowns in as many weight divisions, leads the awardees as Boxer of the Decade.

Also to be feted in the awards rites commemorating the 25th death anniversary and 75th birth anniversary of Elorde are former and reigning world champions Donnie Nietes (WBO strawweight), Brian Viloria (International Boxing Federation light flyweight), Nonito Donaire (IBF flyweight), Marvin Sonsona (WBO flyweight) and Gerry Peñalosa (WBO bantamweight).

The 28-year-old Nietes defended his title for the second time by scoring a unanimous decision over Erik Ramirez on Feb. 28 last year. In his third defense, Nietes won by split decision over interim champion Manuel Vargas on Sept. 12.

Viloria, 29, won by unanimous decision over Mexican Ulises Solis on April 19 last year. He retained the title via the same verdict over Jesus Iribe on Aug. 29.

Donaire, 28, defended his title by stopping Raul Martinez in the fourth round, also on April 19. He then stopped Mruti Mthalane in a rematch on Aug. 1.

Sonsona won over Jose Lopez via a unanimous decision on Sept. 5 to become the youngest world champion at 20. But his reign was also the shortest—two months and 17 days—when he failed to meet the weight limit against Alejandro Hernandez. The bout ended in a split draw but Sonsona lost the crown under WBO rules.

The 37-year-old Peñalosa was the WBO bantamweight titlist at age 37 before he fought and lost by TKO in the 10th round to Juan Manuel Lopez on April 25 last year.

The event is presented by Johnny Elorde Management International and the Elorde Sports Foundation in cooperation with Pagcor, Smart Communications, Tanduay, Sofitel Hotel, Elorde gyms and Southpaw Bar and Grill.

Fifty years ago on March 16, Elorde stopped Harold Gomez at the Araneta Coliseum to start his seven-year reign as junior lightweight titlist—the longest by any boxer.

Source Roy Luarca - inquirer.net

Sponsored Links:

Road To Dallas: Pacquiao vs. Clottey premieres Sat., March 6 on HBO

HBO Sports® will present “Road to Dallas: Pacquiao vs Clottey,” a thirty-minute special analyzing the upcoming welterweight title showdown between pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao and challenger Joshua Clottey that will mark the first-ever pro boxing event at the landmark $1.2 billion Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Tex. The intriguing fight will take place on Saturday, March 13 and be televised on HBO Pay-Per-View ®..

The “Road to Dallas: Pacquiao vs. Clottey” special, which will feature fighter profiles, expert analysis and forecasts for the matchup, will premiere on HBO on Saturday, March 6 at 11:00 p.m. ET/PT immediately following the live presentation of HBO Boxing After Dark®.

Making his first ring appearance of 2010, Manny Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38 KOs) looks to continue the enormous momentum he built up in 2009 when he scored convincing KO wins over Ricky Hatton and Miguel Cotto in Las Vegas. Considered the sport’s pound-for-pound king, Pacquiao is boxing’s first seven division champ. A native of Ghana, Clottey (35-3, 21 KOs) is a formidable opponent who is determined to spring the first huge upset of 2010.

The special will also be available to HBO ON DEMAND® subscribers 24 hours a day, beginning Wednesday, March 10 through Monday, April 12.

Additional HBO replay dates:
Saturday, March 6 at 1:00 a.m.
Sunday, March 7 at 10:30 a.m.
Monday, March 8 at 2:00 p.m. & 12:05 a.m.
Tuesday, March 9 at 10:00 a.m. & 8:00 p.m.
Thursday, March 11 at 6:30 p.m. & 11:30 p.m.
Friday, March 12 at 7:30 p.m. & 2:00 a.m.
Saturday, March 13 at 11:30 a.m.

Additional HBO2 replay dates:
Sunday, March 7 at 11:00 p.m.
Wednesday, March 10 at 10:00 p.m.

All times are ET/PT.

source: www.eastsideboxing.com

Sponsored Links:

Pacquiao’s training hits a high chord

With folk music blaring on the background, Manny Pacquiao, the current king of boxing, spoke the language of confidence Thursday moments after another tough day at the Wild Card Boxing Club, his training headquarters for the March 13 clash with Joshua Clottey in Dallas.

“No problem, I feel very good,” Pacquiao told The Bulletin after having his favorite meal at a Thai food restaurant located a few steps from the gym. "Tell our people that there's nothing to worry as I am training hard."

Pacquiao stressed that having little time for a good vacation after beating Miguel Cotto late last year turned out to be a blessing since he is not having a hard time getting back in shape.

“After only two weeks in the gym, I already felt great and I think it was not only because I am coming off a tough fight but I had to immediately report back to training camp,” said Pacquiao, who asked his interviewer to hold the long distance call while he sings the final notes of a song on karaoke.

As soon as he belted out the last note, Pacquiao was on the line again, assuring the man on the other end that there’s nothing to worry about as far as his preparation is concerned.

Pacquiao’s assurance that everything is right on track was echoed by Alex Ariza, the Filipino fighter’s touted conditioning coach.

“Manny is ready to fight this Saturday,” said Ariza, who marveled at the way the 32-year-old pound-for-pound king handled himself with the punch mitts during Wednesday’s workout.

“He did 15 rounds in the mitts without even a sip of water,” narrated Ariza.

Over at Clottey’s training camp in Fort Lauderdale in Florida, the boxingscene website reported that the Ghana slugger is also right on the money.

Clottey has been working out at the Contender’s Gym the last three weeks under the guidance of a new set of trainers since Godwin Dzanie Kotey, his long-time trainer, has yet to be granted a renewal of his US visa.

Despite the drawback, Clottey said he has no other choice but to move on.

“I already know in my head what I am going to do and how I am going to win,” Clottey said.

Source http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/244136/pacquiao-s-training-hits-a-high-chord

Sponsored Links:

Pacquiao vs Clottey full fight card

Below is the the list of match for the upcoming Pacquiao vs Clottey boxing fight on March 13, 2010 to be held at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington.

• Manny Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38 KOs) vs. Joshua Clottey (35-3, 21 KOs)

• Humberto Soto (50-7-2, 32 KOs) vs. David Díaz (35-2-1, 17 KOs)

• José Luis Castillo (60-9-1, 52 KOs) vs. Alfonso Gómez (21-4-2, 10 KOs)

• Michael Medina (22-1-2, 17 KOs) vs. John Duddy (28-1, 18 KOs)

• Roberto Marroquín (12-0, 9 KOs) vs. TBA

• Salvador Sánchez (18-3-2, 8 KOs) vs. TBA

• Michael Farenas (26-2-3, 23 KOs) vs. TBA

Sponsored Links:

Floyd Trying to Talk His Way To Victory Over Pacquiao

Floyd Mayweather is not especially intelligent but he understands he can’t beat Manny Pacquiao inside the ring, so he must embark on a smear campaign to try to defeat the Filipino outside the ring – in the arena of public opinion.

Floyd knows his fists and his skills are just not formidable enough to get the highly dangerous job done. He knows his mind is inferior and not smart enough to out-think Pacquiao under pressure. And Floyd realizes his will is not strong enough to subdue the ferocious intensity to win a 12-round boxing match against Pacquiao.

But there is a single quality where the dishonorable American pugilist does hold an advantage over Pacquiao: he has a bigger mouth which can tell repeated lies and mistruths without a sense of shame. As we know, if a lie is repeated enough, it will eventually be believed by many.

So that’s all Mayweather can do now – is use his mouth to try to do the job his frail fists and faltering confidence can not accomplish – defeat Pacquiao by spreading lies and falsehoods.

As you may have noticed, Mayweather has been hanging around major sporting events like the Super Bowl and NBA All-Star Game. The fork-tongued double-talker has double intentions – to promote his upcoming fight with Shane Mosley on May 1 and to discredit Manny Pacquiao in every possible way he can think of.

Mayweather wants you to believe Pacquiao is the one who pulled out of the fight in January because he wouldn’t agree to all of Floyd’s – NOT the Nevada State Commission’s – but Floyd’s personal demands for excessive random blood testing. But the little-known truth is, Mayweather advisor Al Haymon’s associate George Peterson told me the decision to cancel the Pacquiao-Floyd was made as far back as early December – obviously, because Team Mayweather concluded a boxing match against Manny Pacquiao was a “no win situation.” Yes, a severely brutal knockout loss at the fists of a smiling Asian man is a no-win situation indeed for an arrogant pretender like Mayweather.

As if ducking Pacquiao once wasn’t enough, after the Super Bowl and NBA All Star Game, now we have learned Mayweather aspires to duck Pacquiao again. Even if Pacquiao were to agree to Floyd’s 14-day random blood testing demands, that might not be enough now, says Floyd. And Floyd also stated that the 50-50 split may not work if Floyd-Mosley does bigger pay-per-view numbers than Pacquiao-Clottey.

Only the dim-witted wouldn’t be able to comprehend this is Floyd’s way to lay the foundation to duck Pacquiao for 2010 and perhaps the rest of his career.

Floyd may think he’s successfully pulled off the greatest duck in boxing history and that he has won the media war of words with the humble, quiet man from General Santos City. But one must understand that the mighty truth shall always destroy the ugly false.

“The lie of the emperor is always believed before the truth of the peasant.” -unknown

“If you bury the truth and bury it under the ground it will but grow and gather itself such explosive power that the day it bursts through it will blow up everthing it its way.” -Emile Zola

“All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it’s violently opposed. And third, it’s accepted as self-evident.” -Arthur Schopenauer


Source Scoop Malinowski - boxinginsider.com

Sponsored Links:

LA boys exploiting Pacquiao

Dashing and dapper in a three-piece suit, boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, as expected, was a big hit with the predominantly Filipino crowd at the Pavilion of the Hilton Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, where the Pinoy Power 3/Latin Fury fight card was held on Valentine weekend.

Media friends who covered the event swore love was in the air as Manny and wife Jinkee greeted their friends, fans and kababayans.

My veteran colleague Ronnnie Nathanielsz, for one, said he was overwhelmed by the romantic aura exuded by the couple that night.

“Jinkee looked really lovely, while Manny was all smiles and obviously happy,” said Ronnie, who covered the Las Vegas fight with Dyan Castillejo for ABS-CBN. “He had a broad grin on his face as he moved around acknowledging the cheers and the handshakes from fellow Filipinos, Americans, Mexicans, Puerto Ricans and Latino fans.

“Every TV network covering the event that night was scrambling for an interview with the pound-for-pound king. Not only that, everyone tried to get him to join their broadcast panel.”

Of course, Manny ended up with the tandem of Ronnie and Dyan.

“Manny was clearly in his element as he talked about his fight with Joshua Clottey in Texas next month,” Ronnie related. “He also talked about a program series that he wanted to do. Actually, we had talked about it in the past and the plan was to telecast all his old fights when he was still a kid and feature it on the late Rod Nazario’s “Blow by Blow” weekly TV show.”

“Of course, Manny’s stature, fame and fortune have skyrocketed since.”

Incidentally, many of the champ’s countrymen find disturbing the report that Manny is dangling a $20,000 prize for the member of Team Pacquiao who will lose the most number of pounds before the fight.

Instead of spending his money on incentives like this, the critics feel that Pacquiao could alleviate the plight of his poor countrymen at home by helping them get started on small livelihood projects.

“These people around Manny get fat eating off him, and now he will reward them for losing weight,” said one critic. “These LA (Los Angeles) boys whom he continues to coddle will be the first to forget him when his days as champion are over.”

source:inquirer.net

Sponsored Links:

Roach: Opening rounds hard for Pacquiao, Clottey

MANILA, Philippines – Although boxing coach Freddie Roach is confident that Manny Pacquiao will demolish Joshua Clottey, he sees a very hard fight for both boxers.

The prized trainer said he thinks the March 13 bout between reigning World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champ Pacquiao and challenger Clottey might even turn out just like the Miguel Cotto fight last November.

“Just like the Cotto fight... the first half of the fight will be really, really hard for both guys,” Roach said in an interview with FightFan.com.

Roach, who oversees Pacquiao’s training at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles, California, acknowledges Clottey’s durability.

He, however, said the Ghanaian’s defense leaves much to be desired so he expects his Filipino ward to assert himself by the middle rounds.

“We will take over in the middle or late rounds,” said Roach.

Passive defense
Roach said he has patterned some of Pacquiao’s strategies against the Ghanaian’s “amateurish” defense.

“He's passive, he's way too passive,” he said while describing Clottey’s defensive stance. “That works in the amateurs. There's no counter punching in that defense. He waits for you to finish your combinations then he throws.”

Roach said the only way Clottey would be effective against Pacquiao is if the Ghanaian engages the Filipino into a full fight.

This means Clottey would have himself get hit before he can tag Pacquiao with power punches.

“For him to be effective, he has to hit while we're engaging also for him to land that power shot, but he seems like he doesn't do that a lot,” said the boxing coach.

Waiting for Pacquiao to get tired would only bring Clottey more trouble.

“[Because] Pacquiao… doesn't get tired,” said Roach.

Source http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/sports/02/18/10/roach-opening-rounds-hard-pacquiao-clottey

Sponsored Links:

Roach plans on having Pacquiao attack Clottey’s body

Trainer Freddie Roach has come up with another one of his masterful strategies for his pupil WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao in his upcoming March 13th fight against Joshua Clottey. In an article at Fight Fan, Roach says “He’s [speaking of Clottey] got a good chin and so forth, but nobody has tested his body as much as we well. People with good chins don’t always take it into the body.” You think? Thank you for telling me something I don’t know, Freddie. As far as I can tell, Clottey was already exposed for having problems taking shots to the body in his fights against Antonio Margarito and Miguel Cotto.

If you watch both of those fights, Clottey slowed way down after Margarito and Cotto started pounding him in the body with heavy hooks. Clottey then spent the remainder of the fight glued to the ropes doing a poor imitation of Muhammad Ali’s rope-a-dope. It would be a complete of waste of time for Pacquiao to even try to take Pacquiao out with head shots, because not only can Clottey take a great shot without showing any signs of being hurt, but he keeps a high guard at all times and it’s hard to penetrate with shots.

Clottey’s midsection is usually wide open and an inviting target for punches. This really the only choice Pacquiao will have if he wants to land anything in the fight. It’s nice that Roach made us all aware of what Pacquiao is planning on doing, though, as if I already didn’t know. I just hope Pacquiao is astute enough to follow Roach’s program and not start head hunting like he always does.

If he does this, Pacquiao will end up probably hurting his hands and taking a lot of shots in return. Pacquiao has his hands full anyway because he’s so little and not a real welterweight in terms of frame. Oaky, so think Pacquiao is probably going to go head hunting and will ignore Clottey’s midsection after giving him a few weak shots. I’ve never seen any of Pacquiao’s fights where he’s paid much attention to throwing to the body.

Pacquiao will probably stubbornly keep throwing to the head, and basically ignore what Roach is saying to him. This will make the fight harder for Pacquiao and make Roach frantic in his corner. I think Pacquiao will still win the fight, but he’s going to come out of the fight looking more like the loser than the winner. But what can you do? Pacquiao will beat up even if he goes to the body as well.

This is Clottey’s big chance and he’s not going to roll over on his back and kick up his legs like a dog an make it easy for Pacquiao. He’s going to pound Pacquiao and mess up his features probably. Pacquiao might not be able to sing that night. He wanted the fight. Getting beaten up is the byproduct of messing around with a tough fighter like Clottey.

source http://www.boxingnews24.com/2010/02/roach-plans-on-having-pacquiao-attack-clottey%E2%80%99s-body/

Sponsored Links:

Freddie Roach Predicts Clottey will fall in the later rounds

Reigning pound for pound king Manny Pacquiao's trainer has began to study his fighters next opponent, during a telephone interview with theboxinghistorian's Stacey Taylor, Roach said with only weeks remaining before the fight at the $1.2 billion Cowboy’s stadium, Arlington, Texas, he has dusted of the tapes and begun to dissect Clottey. The legendary trainer did not divulge how much time Manny Pacquiao has spent watching Clottey’s fights because the 31-year-old WBO welterweight champion usually gets bored watching tapes of his opponents. It’s Roach who spends many hours on the sofa of his new Los Angeles home studying the tapes. “I have been studying him quite a bit now. He is very strong and has a good chin but he makes too many fundamental mistakes and I think Manny will be the first person to knock him out,” he said during an interview with “on the ropes radio”. Clottey has never been knocked out in his life, winning 35 matches and losing only three, each one of them debatable.

The Grand Master first defeat was a disqualification in 1999 at the Wembley Arena, London, England. He was ahead on the cards but was warned repeatedly for leading with his head cutting his opponent Carlos Baldomir. His second loss came to Antonio Margarito in 2006, in round four of their bout Clottey seemed to hurt his hand while landing with an uppercut, he immediately went into retreat indicating a problem. Clottey lost a unanimous decision. In his last fight he lost a close competitive split decision loss to Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto. However Roach; referred to as “My Master” by Pacquiao, said the more he watches “The Grand Master”, the more he becomes convinced Pacquiao will stop him in the later rounds.

Source: theboxinghistorian.com

Sponsored Links:

Pacquiao to fight Margarito in 2010?

Whether World Boxing Organization welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38 KO’s) fights Floyd Mayweather Jr. next after Manny dispatches his March 13th opponent Joshua Clottey, Pacquiao, 31, will likely be fighting former WBA welterweight champion later on in 2010. Pacquiao’s promoter, Bob Arum, is really interested in matching Pacquiao up with Margarito in 2010, provided that Margarito gets his boxing license back to fight in the United States.

If that happens, you can bet that Arum, the president of Top Rank, will put Pacquiao in with Margarito at the Dallas Cowboy stadium where Arum will be able to draw huge number of Hispanic fans from around the area who might want to see Margarito fight. It’s a smart move by Arum, because it will likely be a huge fight if Margarito gets his boxing license back.


However, it’s questionable whether Margarito will get his boxing license back from the California Athletic Commission, who revoked his license last year after a foreign plaster-like substance was found on Margarito’s hand wraps before his bout against Shane Mosley. This led to Margarito receiving a year suspension from the California Athletic Commission.

The year has since passed, and there’s no word as to when/if Margarito will finally get his boxing license back, if he ever does. It’s doubtful that Arum will take Pacquiao to Mexico for a fight between Manny and Margarito. So the chances of a Pacquiao-Margarito fight in the future will likely hinge on whether he can get his boxing license back or not. Many boxing fans and boxers are dead set against Margarito ever being able to box again, believing that he should be barred for life from boxing.

However, even if Margarito doesn’t get his license back, you can bet on him continuing his career in Mexico where he’ll still be able to fight. Margarito lost by a 9th round stoppage to Shane Mosley last year in their January 2009 bout. Before the loss to Mosley, Margarito was considered by many boxing fans to be the best fighter in the welterweight division. Margarito destroyed Miguel Cotto by an 11th round stoppage in July 2008.

It’s unclear how Pacquiao feels about the subject of fighting Margarito. There are likely other opponents that Pacquiao could fight besides Margarito that would give Pacquiao a better payday than him. Even if Pacquiao doesn’t end up fighting Mayweather, he could potentially make more money in a fight against a recently beaten Mosley rather than fighting Margarito you would think. Mosley, if puts in a good performance against Mayweather and yet still loses, would still remain a red hot fighter and an ideal one for Pacquiao to fight next.

source Eric Thomas - boxingnews24.com

Sponsored Links:

Pacquiao strategy: Go for Clottey’s body

MANILA, Philippines – Since Joshua Clottey has a remarkable chin, Filipino boxing hero Manny Pacquiao is more likely to attack the Ghanaian’s body.

According to his coach Freddie Roach, Pacquiao will test Clottey’s body like no other fighter has done before.

“He's (Clottey) got a good chin and so forth but nobody has tested his body as much as we will,” Roach said in an interview with FightFan.com. “People with good chins don't always take it into the body.”

Although Clottey was knocked down by Miguel Cotto in 2009, the durable Ghanaian has never been knocked out in a fight before.

However, Roach said that this might change when the power-punching Pacquiao assaults Clottey in the body.

“He's punching really [expletive] hard,” the trainer said of Pacquiao. I mean I wear that body suit, it doesn't help that much. He kills me. He's punching really, really well.”

Pacquiao is scheduled to fight Clottey on March 13 in the match called “The Event”. The bout is slated to take place at the Cowboys Stadium in Dallas, Texas.

Secret to good conditioning
Pacquiao, earlier, said that his training is going really well because of his conditioning.

“Maganda kasi na nakuha ko agad ang kundisyon ko kasi hindi ako masyadong matagal nagpahinga,” Pacquiao told ABS-CBN Sports commentators Ronnie Nathanielsz and Dyan Castillejo during the live telecast of Pinoy Power 3/Latin Fury 13 on Sunday.

“Last fight ko November so January, nakapag-training agad ako. Nandoon agad ang kundisyon ko,” he added.

In addition to that, Roach said Pacquiao regularly played basketball during his downtime after the Cotto fight.

“He plays basketball everyday… it's like his favorite sport. He runs and runs the court and he came in to the New York press conference [for the Clottey fight] at 148 pounds,” said Roach.

Now he wants to fly, too

The 7-time world champ, meanwhile, met Jessica Cox, the Filipino-American who gained the distinction as the only plane pilot without arms. The pilot has invited the boxing star to be her passenger.

Pacquiao was thrilled to have Cox as his pilot. “I'm excited for that,” he said.

The boxing star also said he plans to learn how to fly a plane with Cox’s help.

"Maybe after the fight, because now I'm busy with my training but after the fight, she can teach me how to," he said.

The Filipino American pilot, for her part, was also excited to meet Pacquiao, too.

"I've heard so much about him and I wanted to ask him if he has moves that he might suggest because of my taekwondo and he does boxing and I thought it would really be neat to get to meet him," she said. - Pacquiao vs Clottey


source http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/sports/02/16/10/pacquiao-strategy-go-clottey%E2%80%99s-body

Sponsored Links:

The Shadow of the Big One: Mayweather-Pacquiao

Last weekend, Floyd Mayweather, Jr. started the promotional push for his May 1st date
with Shane Mosley down in Miami at the Super Bowl media nexus. Though, you couldn’t tell if you didn’t know already.

On the NFL Network, Mayweather’s five-minute segment hardly ever touched on the upcoming fight. Rather, Rich Eisen, Deion Sanders and the rest of the crew only wanted to dissect why the Manny Pacquiao fight fell apart.

“How much of a risk are you taking,” ESPNews first asked Mayweather, “by taking this fight ahead of a possible fight with Pacquiao?” To follow-up, the newscaster probed, “What are the chances we will see you and Pacquiao in the ring down the road?” Two opening questions. No mention of Mosley.

“I just want to see the [Pacquiao] fight, man,” implored comic legend Chris Rock, speaking with Mayweather on the 2livestews Radio Show. “Who you fightin’ now? Shane Mosley? Everybody beat Shane Mosley!” said Rock in jest. “I’m supposed to be impressed?”

Of course, boxing fans know Sugar Shane Mosley is a worthwhile opponent. Boxing fans know Mosley offers problems that Mayweather rarely deals with. Boxing fans know Mosley means a fight. And yet, the casual sports fan could care less.

Mayweather – Pacquiao differs from any other fight that can be made today. A bout between the two is a match-up the public wants. In the De La Hoya – Mayweather bonanza a few years ago, the promotion told the public they should watch. That fight might “save boxing,” read Sports Illustrated. That fight was an entree to a sporting public hungry for the big fight. With Pacquiao – Mayweather, the public isn’t just hungry for a big fight – they’re starving for THIS fight. The public views Pacquiao – Joshua Clottey and Mayweather – Mosley as mere appetizers before the main course. The casual sporting public doesn’t need the promotion to tell them to watch Manny versus Floyd. They can tell themselves.

So while boxing writers and fans rejoice that the boxing realm gets to see two great match-ups instead of one, the wider world still waits to see the one it really wants. And while some boxing fans may not care whether or not the sport receives extra exposure and reaches a bigger audience, the niche boxing inhabits in the United States cannot grow without the casual sports fan. The casual sports fan feeds the talent pool with more youthful hopefuls, and more talent can lead to a better, more dynamic, and more interesting sport.

So as you enjoy columns on Mayweather – Mosley, reflect on why you just read a piece on Mayweather – Pacquiao instead.

source JD Camacho - doghouseboxing

Sponsored Links:

Betting odds steady for Pacquiao

MANILA, Philippines—He’s the shorter, lighter guy, but as far as fight fans are concerned Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao towers over Ghanaian challenger Joshua Clottey.

Betting odds for the Pacquiao-Clottey showdown for the World Boxing Organization welterweight crown on March 13 at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, continued to tilt in favor of the Filipino pound-for-pound king, according to Gambling911.com.

With less than four weeks to go before the fight, billed as “The Event,” SportsInteractive.com put Pacquiao as a minus-556 favorite and Clottey a plus-300 underdog.

This means that a P556 bet on Pacquiao will earn just P100 if he wins, while a P100 winning bet on Cotto will net P300.

Sportsbetting.com, on the other hand, put Pacquiao—the only boxer to win seven world titles in as many divisions—at minus-500 and Clottey at plus-350.

There was little difference in the figures provided by Bookmaker.com which put Pacquiao at minus-440 and Clottey at plus-350.

The 33-year-old Clottey, however, seems unaffected by the little respect being accorded him, saying he knows how to handle southpaws like Pacquiao.

The Ghanaian said he has been training hard and ready to “shock the world” with an upset victory.

In a recent Kristal Hart show interview, Clottey (35-3 with 20 knockouts) said he will throw a lot of stiff jabs to prevent Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38 KOs) from digging in and unleashing his power punches at short range.

source inquirer.net

Sponsored Links:

Roach: “This [Pacquiao-Clottey] could be our last fight” if the Mayweather fight doesn’t happen next

In a bombshell interview at East Side Boxing’s On the Ropes online program, trainer Freddie Roach revealed that this could be the last fight for his fighter World Boxing Organization welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao. Roach says “If Mayweather doesn’t come and fight us next time, this [Pacquiao-Clottey] could be our last one.” Roach is obviously speaking only of Pacquiao, because I can’t see Roach retiring anytime soon.

But this is fairly earth shattering news if Roach isn’t just blowing smoke up our backsides with this, because by the recent statements coming from Floyd Mayweather about him wanting Pacquiao to take even more blood tests in the future if he plans on fighting him, it seems to suggest that the Clottey fight could be Pacquiao’s last bout of his 15-year pro boxing career.

That would a huge disappointment if Pacquiao does decide that this will be his last bout, because it would leave opponents like Edwin Valero, Mayweather and Paul Williams without the opportunity to test Pacquiao to see if he’s as good as the recent hype that’s been generated about him due to his wins over Ricky Hatton, Miguel Cotto and Oscar De La Hoya. As things are looking, it’s highly doubtful that Pacquiao and Mayweather are going to be able to come to any kind of agreement for a fight in the future with Mayweather insisting on random blood tests all the way up to the fight.

And Mayweather is now saying that if his May 1st fight against Shane Mosley does better financially than Pacquiao’s March 13th bout against Clottey, then it means he should get the bigger slice of the revenue for a Pacquiao-Mayweather fight. That’s just another reason to doubt that there will ever be a fight between Mayweather and Pacquiao in the future.

As for the Pacquiao vs. Clottey fight, Roach says “Obviously we have to break him [Clottey] down. It’s [a possible knockout for Pacquiao] going to be in the late rounds. It won’t go 12 rounds. We’ll get him at some point along the way. It’s going to be a battle up to that point. I do think the body shots and work rate will be too much. I don’t think Clottey will keep up with us.”

Most of the betting money is being put on Pacquiao to win. Indeed, Clottey appears to be way over his head in this fight despite being ranked by the WBO as the number #1 contender. Oddly enough, Clottey is ranked number #1 despite the fact that he was beaten in his last fight by Miguel Cotto. Usually when a fighter is beaten, they slip in the rankings, but not in the case of Clottey.

He’s ranked number #1, above Cotto for some reason. Cotto was just beaten by Pacquiao in his last fight by a 12th round knockout. But beyond Cotto and Clottey, the talent pool is abysmal in the WBO top 15. Most of the fighters are more prospects than contenders in my view, and deeply flawed. It’s more than a little sad and disappointing to see how poor the opposition is in the top 15 for the WBO, and perhaps for that reason we have Clottey ranked as number #1, even though he just got beat.

Source boxiingnews24.com

---

Watch Pacquiao vs Clottey boxing fight on Marhc 13, 2010 at the Dallas Stadium.

Sponsored Links:

Jamie Kavanagh On Sparring With Manny Pacquiao

For 19-year-old Jamie Kavanagh, sparring with Manny Pacquiao is nothing short of a dream come true. Kavanagh spoke to FanHouse about the experience of helping the seven-division titlist prepare for the March 13 defense of his WBO welterweight (147 pounds) title against Joshua Clottey.

http://boxing.fanhouse.com/2010/02/16/jamie-kavanagh-on-sparring-with-pacquiao/

Sponsored Links:

The New Manny Pacquiao Defends His World Title in Digos City

Pacquiao vs Clottey - Balweg Bangoyan, the Filipino fighter that some people are calling the next Manny Pacquiao, will defend his WBC super bantam weight world title on March 2 at Don Mariano Track & Field Open Arena in Digos City in front of an anticipated crowd of around 50,000 people. (PRWEB) February 15, 2010 -- Balweg Bangoyan, the Filipino fighter that some people are calling the next Manny Pacquiao, will defend his WBC super bantam weight world title on March 2 at Don Mariano Track & Field Open Arena in Digos City in front of an anticipated crowd of around 50,000 people. Bangoyen boasts a 15-0 record with a 47% KO percentage. After he turned pro in 2006 Bangoyan has enjoyed an impressive career with the only blemish coming when his title was stripped from him for failing to defend it in the prescribed time.

Balweg "The Davao Hitman" Bangoyan will face up to 23 year old Korean, Jong Wong Jong, to defend his Super Bantam Weight Title. But Bangoyan made amends when he outpointed Raymond “Foreman” Sermosa in Manila last year to regain the crown that he believed was rightfully his. At just 23 years of age Bangoyan is a promising talent with boxing commentators and scribes from around the world touting him as the next Manny Pacquiao. With a handsome clean cut profile and a cheeky grin, Bangoyan is a favourite with the female fans and has amassed a large supporter base in his short career. He is currently training at the Tiger City Gym in Manila under the watchful eye of his trainer Frederick Wangkay. Balweg “Davo Hitman” Bangoyan will have to face up to the tough 23 year old Korean fighter, Jong Wong Jong to retain his title belt, but is quietly confident of a strong performance. Bangoyan's early fame and strong performances have attracted the eye of a new sponsor, with an Australian pharmaceutical company stepping in to sponsor the fight in Digos City. The Elmore Oil Company is a manufacturer of a pain relief lotion, called Elmore Oil, currently sold in the Philippines and used extensively at Balweg Bangoyan's home gym in Davao City. The company has a strong community spirit and currently runs a charity for street children in Ozamiz City with the support of the cities Mayor, Reynaldo Parojinog. The company's managing director, Mark Linford, believes Balweg Banyogan is a perfect fit for his company. “This young boxer seems to be a fine ambassador for his country and a great role model for the young people of The Philippines. This is exactly the type of person we like to support and assist in any way we can to progress their career. We will help Balweg progress and support him whenever we can because he is a good role model for kids and a future champion of the Philippine people.” The fight on March 2nd will coincide with the birthday of Davao del sur Vice Governor Simplico “Fely” Latasa who has declared that as a gift to her local people the entry to the fight shall be free. Latasa described Bangoyan as “one of the brightest Filipino prospects in years to hold a world championship” and a future champion of the people.

Source prweb.com

---

Watch Pacquiao vs Clottey fight on March 13, 2010 at Dallas stadium

Sponsored Links: