There has been gathering anticipation all day here in Dallas for the latest installment in boxing’s greatest figure. Manny Pacquiao. Fans have crowded into the fight hotel attempting to get photographs with their idol, as Joshua Clottey’s team look on bemused.
What the sell-out crowd will be looking for is a fight fitting with the world’s most advanced sports stadium, and a contest which thrills and delights. If it is a first round washout, there will be focus again on the next installment, while Pacquiao returns to The Philippines to run for Congress . Pacquiao’s every move is being detailed by the Filipino media.
Tale of the Tape and fight notes
Pacquiao-Clottey
Tale of The Tape: Details
Pacman Grand Master
Freddie Roach Lenny DeJesus (trainer)
Southpaw Orthodox (stance)
145 ¾ lbs 147 lbs (weight)
5ft 6ins 5ft 8ins (height)
66 ½ 68 (reach)
38 38 (chest)
13 14 (biceps)
28 32 (waist)
16 16 (neck)
10 10 (fist)
Fight notes:
Clottey has had 90 rounds of sparring against left-handers
Clottey could be around 15lbs heavier than Pacquiao in the ring; it may slow him if the fight goes into the later rounds
Bob Arum reckons Pacquiao is the very first truly ambidextrous fighter
The event is a sell-out 45,000 but could swell by another 10,000 with ‘Party Time’ standing tickets at $35.
All assert a happy Pacquiao camp, which has not always been the case. Mike Koncz, often the butt of criticism, has lost 30lbs in weight training in the camp.
Freddie Roach has looked a little stressed in the last 48 hours, but he admits he does feel the tension in the week of a fight
Pacquiao has had an entourage of 140; Clottey just 5.
Pacquiao has admitted he is looking forward to seeing himself on the largest stadium video screens in the world on the way into the ring. Just to let you know, if he fills the screen he will be 72ft tall. That’s how big these video boards are.
Stadium boxing is coming back: “This is very important for boxing’s growth,” Pacquiao said. “It’s going to be worldwide. It’s a good example to other places that we can promote boxing, boxing like this.”
Bob Arum on Filipino politics and why Pacquiao could be a congressman and still box: “If the Filipino congressmen are anything like the U.S. congressmen, they sit around and do nothing most of the year, so why wouldn’t he be able to fight?”
Oscar de la Hoya, Marco Antonio Barrerra and Antonio Margarito all assert that Pacquiao will win by unanimous decision.
Margarito also asserts that he will be next for Pacquiao; not Floyd Mayweather.
Source: blogs.telegraph.co.uk
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