By TOBIAS XAVIER LOPEZ, Fort Worth Star-Telegram
ARLINGTON — WBO world welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao had to put in a full 12 rounds to retain his title with a unanimous decision against a tough Joshua Clottey Saturday night in front of 50,994 at Cowboys Stadium.
Next up for Pacquiao will likely be Floyd Mayweather Jr. if the two camps can ever get together on a deal. Mayweather is scheduled to fight Sugar Shane Moseley in May.
A possible location might be Cowboys Stadium, which was a candidate early this year to host the fight before the Pacquiao-Mayweather negotiations fell apart over the issue of drug testing.
"I want that fight. The people want that fight," Pacquiao said. "It's up to him. Maybe some day we will fight."
Clottey was defensive the entire fight and slipped in some solid shots, but not nearly enough to win.
"He has great movement and speed," said Clottey, whose camp and fans appeared to find some consolation in that he went the distance.
Pacquiao landed 246 of 1,231 punches. Clottey landed 108 of 399.
Yet, Pacquiao respected the punching power of Clottey. According to Pacquiao's trainer, Freddy Roach, the plan was to for Pacquiao to throw the left hook and get out.
"I thought we won every round," Roach said. "Clottey has good defense, but good defense is not good enough to win a fight."
Pacquiao appeared to get frustrated in the 11th round, but still didn't over extend against the dangerous Clottey.
"I felt his power. He's very strong," Pacquiao said. "I could tell he was looking for the big shot."
tlopez@star-telegram.com
Source: star-telegram.com
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