Two men born into desperate poverty some 30 years ago will take centre stage in the greatest stadium on earth.
Astonishingly, since neither is American, nigh-on 50,000 people will pay to watch them fight each other here for the world welterweight title.
Manny Pacquiao, who is not only the best boxer on the planet but also running for Congress in his native Philippines, is a multi-millionaire already. By the end of this evening he will have generated more than £200million in pay-TV revenue in his career.
Joshua Clottey, who spent three years in London on his journey from the slums of Accra in Ghana to the Cowboys Stadium, will make his first million in Dallas.
Assuming Pacquiao wins - and he expects a tough fight against a substantially bigger man - Cowboys owner Jerry Jones will open his stadium to its full boxing capacity of 120,000 for his next, and perhaps last, fight.
If Pacquiao also wins his election in May and then resolves his differences with Floyd Mayweather Jr, an autumn battle for the mythical title of best pound-for-pound fighter would be a crescendo of a finale. So would a slug-fest with Antonio Margarito, in whose support half of Mexico would want to pour across the border.
Not that Pacquiao lacks fans. The biggest boxing entourage since Muhammad Ali enjoys the generosity of a man unspoiled by fame. As do thousands of Filipinos back home to whom he donates much. Does he want to go on to be President? 'No,' he says. 'I just want to do what I can to help the people who love me.
'I never want to let them down. I want to put on a thrilling show for everyone here.'
Pacquiao expected to weigh in yesterday under the 147 lb limit, while Clottey intends to bulk back up to 164 lbs by the time he enters the ring. It is a tough prospect for Pacquiao, not least because Clottey has moved on since his three years living in Hackney in the 90s. 'It was not a happy time for me,' he says. 'I didn't think I was treated very well.'
He returned to Ghana after five less than convincing fights before moving to New York, ultimately winning the IBF world title by defeating Zab Judah in 2008.
However, the impression he left in England of freezing on the big occasion returned in defeats by Margarito and Miguel Cotto, who Pacquiao destroyed in November.
Clottey's situation has not been helped by the US government's refusal to grant a visa to his African trainer, leaving cuts man Lenny De Jesus in charge of his corner.
Freddie Roach, who masterminded Pacquiao's ascent from flyweight to seven world titles in different divisions, is not surprised at his man's ability to retain his punishing power against bigger men. He says: 'Speed is power and Manny is exceptionally fast.'
And that threatens to be the key here. Clottey has never been knocked down and insists: 'I can tell you I've never been hurt and never really felt a punch. I am interested to discover what Manny can do.'
He is about to find out. So is the largest gathering at a boxing match for many a yea.
Source: dailymail.co.uk
***
No comments:
Post a Comment