Manny Pacquiao: Boxing's Biggest Star -- ABC News

By MICHAEL MILBERGER, ABC News

When Filipino boxing sensation Manny Pacquiao isn't hitting his opponents, he's hitting the high notes -- or at least trying to.

With two platinum albums under his belt, Pacquiao is a bona fide pop star in the Philippines, perhaps owing his success mostly to his popularity rather than his singing talent.

Pacquiao recently showed off his singing on late night American TV, offering his rendition of "Nothing Is Going to Change My Love for You" by Glenn Medeiros on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" to a rousing ovation. Even Simon Cowell might be wary of belittling the musical talent of the welterweight champion of the world.

Pacquiao, 31, one of the most accomplished boxers in history, with a record seven titles in seven different weight classes, is too busy to worry if his singing isn't as good as his punching.

"Manny is a multi-tasker. He loves to stay busy," said Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach.

Singing isn't Pacquaio's only hobby outside the ring. He also acts. He's made seven films in the Philippines. His latest is an action film called "Wapakman."

"I play a super hero with a lot of powers," Pacquiao said. "It's kind of like Spider-Man mixed with Superman."

In the Philippines, Pacquiao's popularity is god-like. They say the crime rate drops when he fights because everyone is watching him on TV.

The shine even rubs off on Roach, a Boston guy with huge street cred in Manila.

"They say it's Manny, the president and then me -- the most popular people in the Philippines," Roach said.

Pacquiao is so popular and committed to his country that he is heading home after his next fight to run for Congress.

"In the Philippines, we need a leader that really wants to help the poor people," said Pacquiao, who lost his first bid for a congressional seat to a well-established incumbent in 2007. "I have experience being nothing, and I know how they feel."

Manny Pacquiao: Rags to Riches

Abandoned by this father, Pacquiao left home as a teenager because his mother didn't have enough money to feed him.

At first, boxing was just a way to eat. Now, after 55 professional fights, Pacquaio is the biggest star in a sport badly in need of new big stars.

Last year, Pacquiao racked in $35 million after earning $40 million the year before. In 2009, Forbes magazine ranked Pacquiao as the sixth-highest-paid athlete in the world.

The 5-foot-7, 150-pound southpaw, trains nearly every day at the Wildcard Boxing Gym in Los Angeles.

Before and after every training session, fans wait outside the gym just for a glimpse of the champ and perhaps an autograph or picture.

Inside the gym, Pacquiao's entourage and a gaggle of onlookers, often including a few celebrities, watch the "Pac Man" power through his grueling training sessions. Recent drop-ins include actors Jeremy Piven, Mark Wahlberg, Robert Duvall and Mickey Rourke, a former professional boxer himself.

Roach, 50, also a former professional fighter, has trained 26 world champions, including the likes of Mike Tyson and Oscar de la Hoya. He said Pacquiao is his best.

His work ethic is way above anybody else. He's like a machine," Roach said. "It took us, like, eight to nine years to get to this point. The thing is, he knows the game now. He knows how to study opponents. He's well-rounded, not just a one-punch knockout artist like he was at the beginning."

Unlike Pacquiao, Roach doesn't have any hobbies -- just boxing.

The Wild Card Boxing Gym, located in the back of a nondescript shopping mall in Hollywood, is Roach's sanctuary. Six days a week, he trains a total of 14 fighters despite battling Parkinson's disease.

"My health's pretty good. The medications are better and I just went to the Cleveland Clinic, and they said I'm the healthiest Parkinson's patient they've ever seen," said Roach, who started boxing at age 6. He had 150 amateur fights and 54 professional fights before retiring in 1987.

"I'm not going anywhere," Roach said. "I'm not really worried about it. I don't want people to feel sorry for me. I have a great life."

Roach and Pacquiao were hoping to fight undefeated welterweight Floyd Mayweather this weekend, but the fight was called off after the camps couldn't agree on drug testing guidelines.

Roach still thinks the much-anticipated super-fight will happen eventually.

But for now, instead of fighting Mayweather, Pacquiao will take on former IBF welterweight world champion Joshua Clottey tonight in Dallas at Cowboys Stadium on HBO pay-per-view.

Source: abcnews.go.com

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Hatton to hang up gloves -- Sky Sports

By Rachel Griffiths, Sky Sports

Ricky Hatton will call time on his career in the ring in a press conference next week, Sky Sports News have revealed.

The former world champion had planned to face Juan Manuel Marquez in a summer comeback clash and had been at a training camp in an attempt to get into shape.

However, his training has reportedly not been a success, leading the Hitman to admit he can no longer perform at the highest level.

Hatton, who has won world titles at two different weights during his 47-fight career, turned professional in 1997 with a TKO of Colin McAuley in Widnes.

Hatton suffered the first loss of his career against Floyd Mayweather in 2007, but returned five months later to claim the IBO light welterweight title by beating Juan Lazcano.

A comprehensive win over Paulie Malignaggi seemed to get Hatton back on track but a stunning knockout by Manny Pacquiao looks to have now been his last appearance in the ring.

He has not fought since that fight Las Vegas last May, but confirmed plans for a 2010 comeback last December.

Source: skysports.com

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Tonight's fight will Pacq punch -- New York Post

By George Willis, New York Post

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Manny Pacquiao and Joshua Clottey stood face-to-face in the center of Cowboys Stadium yesterday, posed in the traditional boxing stare down after weighing in for tonight's WBO welterweight championship fight.

Clottey looked slightly taller and more chiseled, but that matters little to Pacquiao and his trainer Freddie Roach, who have made a habit of dominating bigger foes like Oscar De La Hoya and Miguel Cotto.

"Size doesn't win fights," Roach said. "Skill does."

Pacquiao (58-3, 38 KOs) has shown plenty of skill in recent bouts, capturing back-to-back Fighter of the Year honors with an impressive run of victories over former world champions like Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera, Juan Manuel Marquez, David Diaz, Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton and Miguel Angel Cotto.

Having won a sanctioned or linear championship in a record seven weight divisions, Pacquiao has parlayed a bright smile and lethal fists to become an icon in the Philippines and the savior of his sport.

"He has broken into the general conscience of people around the world," said Bob Arum, whose Top Rank promotes Pacquiao. "He truly is a crossover star."

All that could come to an end in tonight's pay-per-view ($49.95) showdown against Clottey, a rugged slugger from Ghana, who was the second choice after talks of a Pacquiao fight with Floyd Mayweather fell through over blood-testing for performance-enhancing drugs.

Clottey, who is based in The Bronx, yearns for the type of respect Pacquiao has gained.

"If I beat Manny Pacquiao, I'm going to be very much happy because he is the best fighter out there," Clottey said. "He is the man now and he's giving me a chance to fight him, and if I beat him, I'm going to be on top of the world. It will be very important to the people in my country."

Clottey (35-3, 20 KOs) is known for his tight defense -- elbows and arms tucked tightly against his body, his gloves protecting his chin. He is economical with his punches, almost to a fault, preferring to land when he can do damage instead of punching for show. He likes to lure his opponents into an offensive flurry, waiting for an opening to unleash his powerful uppercut.

"I will throw punches that cause damage," Clottey said.

Pacquiao, meanwhile, is a southpaw blur of ferocity -- always on his toes, bouncing like a piston while firing punches from all angles. Occasionally, Pacquiao may want to feel Clottey's strength, something he did against Cotto. But few have been able to deal with Pacquiao's blend of speed and power, and unless Clotty tags him early, this is a fight Pacquiao should win easily.

"He's good at what he does, but he does the same thing over and over again and he's very predictable," Roach said of Clottey. "He's going to try to change for this fight, but once he gets in he will revert back to it. We are 100 percent ready for his style. He's resilient. The beginning of the fight is going to be very hard because he is a very good opponent and he likes to fight. We will break him down and I am confident the fight will not go 12 rounds."

It's hard not to agree with Roach, who predicted the quick KO of Hatton and the late stop of Cotto. Pacquiao will run for a congressional seat in the Philippines in May, prompting some to speculate this might be his last fight. But why quit when things are just getting good.

PREDICTION: Pacquiao by decision.

george.willis@nypost.com

Source: nypost.com

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Clottey no Buster Douglas -- Eastside Boxing

By Steve Janoski, Eastside Boxing

When I first heard that Manny Pacquiao’s next fight would be against Joshua Clottey, I have to admit that I was surprised. After the entire debacle with Floyd Mayweather, I was surprised the man even wanted to fight again— most would be so jaded by the entire affair, which was handled poorly on all sides (but the worst on Mayweather’s), that they’d want to be done with the grimy shadyness that is the boxing “business.”

But Pac came back, and is fighting a real welterweight even though he’s not actually one himself, something that its taken Mayweather oh, about two decades to do..

Regardless of that, Clottey is a tough opponent. He has an iron chin, and has taken the shots of some of the welterweight class’ heaviest hitters and waved them on. He went toe-to-toe with Cotto and was a good left hook away from beating him, and he stood in with Judah’s flashy hands and left him bloody by the end.

Clottey is a skilled infighter, digging his hooks and uppercuts and making fighters pay for overextending themselves. He has punishing power, and, although it isn’t that one-punch, hit-you-so-hard-your-teeth-hurt-power, it will wear a fighter down as it did Cotto and Judah.

He also skillfully executes his defense, picking off shots by holding his gloves high and leaving no opening between them (as Cotto tends to do). He also has good footwork against southpaws, and continually held the better position against Judah that allowed him to throw a stiff straight right without taking much damage himself.

The man is, without a doubt, a gutsy, tough fighter. But no one questions his heart; what they question is whether that heart and his two fists can really beat someone like Manny Pacquiao.

The difference in the two fighters’ styles is remarkable; while Clottey stalks and walks down his prey as a polar bear might, Pacquiao fights in the manner that writer A.P. Terhune said a collie attacks when enraged— he is everywhere and he is nowhere, he is vicious and brutal, bouncing in and out of range while sidestepping and striking with a power that he simply shouldn’t have carried up the weight classes.

He had Cotto turning ‘round as if he were fighting more than one man, and had the power to knock him down twice. His hands were blindingly fast, and he struck from every angle that a man’s fists can fly from. The little dynamo proved that his Hatton knockout was not a fluke, and that he can take the punches of a full welterweight.

Clottey is a bit faster than Cotto, but doesn’t throw better combinations and doesn’t seem to have the power that Cotto has. He leans forward when he stalks, and is prone to long stretches of punchless inactivity. He also has a habit of letting fighters steal rounds from him, and not jumping on them when he should. It is almost as if he lacks that killer instinct that a fighter must have, that fierce, murderous rage that rears its head only when they see an opponent’s bleeding face or swaying legs.

Pacquiao, as we all know, has this in spades. Although I see Clottey taking the fight to Pacquiao and trying to fight him in the phone booth, Pac’s footwork will nullify this. If Pacquaio dictates the range the fight is fought at, he could have Clottey put away in the early rounds via another spectacular stoppage.

There is a chance for Clottey though. Pacquiao does cut, and Clottey, if left to do his work on the inside, has a tendency to open up gashes above his opponent’s left eye. Clottey might realize that this is going to be both the defining moment and the greatest fight of his entire life, and that if he does not seize the world tonight by the lapels with his bloody fists and roar, “I have arrived!”…he never will.

Maybe he’ll let his hands go, and we’ll see an upset that we haven’t seen since Buster Douglas knocked Tyson’s mouthpiece across the ring.

But me? I wouldn’t bet on it.

Source: eastsideboxing.com

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Pacquiao/Clottey: Just the facts! -- Eastside Boxing

By Robert Jackson, Eastside Boxing

This latest installment of 'Just the facts' reveals the inner workings of two complicated but different fighters. In one corner we have the Ghanian Joshua Clottey, in the other favorite son of the Philippines and perhaps the 'world', Manny Pacquiao. To begin with both fighters have enjoyed a considerable amount of success in the squared ring and have garnered a lot of attention leading up to this fight which will take place a day or so from now. The Pacquiao success story is stratospheric in its dimensions, while Clottey's own rise has been rocky and laden with unfulfilled promise. Both find themselves here without a safety harness to engage in a 'highwire' act which promises to bring spectators to their feet.

Facts that must be discussed to differentiate these 2 pugilists include, speed, power and the experience possessed by their trainers. Intangibles such as behavior under pressure, big fights under the bright lights must also be considered. So let us begin.

In the area of big fights, the Santos City native Manny Pacquiao has appeared in 25 title fights with a 21-2-2 record, including 21KO's. Joshua Clottey has fought in just 6 title fights and has a record of 3-3 with no KO's..

Big Fight Experience: Advantage Pacquiao


When it comes to speed Pacquiao may have the fastest hands in the business (Floyd Mayweather Jr and Sr may disagree) and throws flurries like a 'hard' rain storm, these fast hands along with his fast feet have served him well for over 50 fights. Clottey is more conservative in his punching and has better than average hand speed but is plodding in his footwork and depends more on timing and accurate, precise, punching than speed.

Speed: Advantage Pacquiao


Power may be the area of greatest contention being that Clottey is a natural welterweight, stronger and the bigger man, but with the success that Pacquiao has had against opponents Oscar DLH, Ricky Hatton and Miguel Cotto, Clottey may have to concede the power advantage to Pacquiao also. The common opponent between the 2 men was Miguel Cotto, Pacquiao beat him up for 11 rounds forcing the referee to stop the fight in the 12th and Clottey lost to him by a hair. Pacquiao has been able to move up from 106lbs to the 147lb weight class and still maintain his power and KO ability.

Power: Advantage Pacquiao


Training provided to these 2 warriors comes by the way of Freddie Roach for Pacquiao and 1st time trainer of Clottey-Lenny De Jesus. Freddie Roach trainer of 20 world champions cut his teeth as an understudy to the GREAT Eddie Futch and his first world champion was light heavyweight Virgil Hill. De Jesus was the cutman for Wilfred Benitez, Roberto Duran, Hector 'Macho' Camacho and Manny Pacquiao for 4 years. Let's not dismiss De Jesus' who's been in the business for over 40 years because only on fight night will his credentials be authenticated or not. That he is a first time trainer of Clottey for such a big fight doesn't sit well with many experts a fact voiced by Freddie Roach himself who has trained Pacquiao for 8+ years.

Trainers: Advantage Pacquiao


Intangibles key to this fight is the fact that Clottey has found a way to lose in some of his high profile fights (Cotto, Margarito, Baldomir), Pacquiao has always found a way to WIN! Another factor could be that DeJesus will add new vigor, a new commitment to Clottey's fight game and fans may be treated to a rejuvenated and motivated fighter who will put on the performance of his life.
Intangibles: Advantage Pacquiao (he finds a way to win)

All of the advantages in this superfight point in Pacquiao's direction and no one should be surprised if Pacquiao does what he usually does and that is WIN and win BIG! The UNKNOWN here is what does DeJesus bring to this fight? Is Roach underestimating De Jesus? it was Roach who while training Oscar De La Hoya discovered the Golden Boy's weaknesses and later exercised the use of that knowledge to guide Pacquiao to a devastating victory over De La Hoya. De Jesus may now be the benefactor of the same set of circumstances having been in training camps with Pacquiao for several years. What should surprise everyone is if Clottey armed with some inside information is able to top the #1 P4P king, but don't bet on it. I'm picking Pacquiao to win in his traditional way and trounce Clottey over 12 rounds and earn a unanimous decision victory, BUT Clottey WILL have his moments!!

Source: eastsideboxing.com

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Manny Pacquiao and Joshua Clottey bout just specter of what fans should've received -- New York Daily News

By Tim Smith, NY Daily News

GRAPEVINE, Tex. - When Manny Pacquiao and Joshua Clottey step into the ring for their 12-round welterweight match at the palatial Cowboys Stadium Saturday, the specter of the fight that should be taking place will hang heavily in the air.

This was supposed to be the night that Pacquiao, the current No. 1 pound-for-pound king, faced off against Floyd Mayweather Jr., the man who held that title before he retired in 2008. The two men were placed on a collision course when Mayweather returned to boxing last year and as Pacquiao steamed through opponents such as Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton and Miguel Cotto.

But the negotiations for that fight fell apart because of Mayweather's insistence on Olympic- style drug testing for himself and Pacquiao and Pacquiao's refusal to agree to random blood testing.

So instead of the bonanza of Mayweather-Pacquiao, boxing fans, and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones - who wanted to showcase a major fistic event at his new stadium - are left with Pacquiao-Clottey, something of a consolation prizefight.

Even though Jones, Pacquiao, Clottey and promoter Bob Arum have been talking up the welterweight showdown between the Filipino star and the former IBF welterweight champ from the Bronx by way of Ghana, it is hard to keep Mayweather out of the conversation.

As trainer Freddie Roach was laying out the strategy for how Pacquiao could dismantle the steel-chinned Clottey in the press room at the Gaylord Texan Hotel on Thursday, he was asked if he thought Mayweather-Pacquiao would ever happen.

"I think the fight will happen because he (Mayweather) wants to make Pacquiao money," Roach said. "He can't make it with anyone else. It's a great fight. It's the fight that everybody wants to see. That puts us (boxing) back in the lead of MMA. That's a fight that's good for the sport."

In order for there to be any talk of resurrecting the negotiations for that fight, Pacquiao must first take care of Clottey (35-3, 20 KOs) and Mayweather must defeat Shane Mosley in Las Vegas on May 1.

Those two fights are not layups for either man. Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38 KOs) has to contend with a full-fledged welterweight who might come into the ring weighing as much as a middleweight.

"My guy will weigh in at 147 pounds, but he'll come in at 155 or 160 pounds," said Lenny DeJesus, Clottey's trainer. "He likes to eat, and that's his normal walking around weight."

Pacquiao hit 145-3/4pounds and Clottey 147 at the weigh-in at Cowboys Stadium yesterday.

Roach expects Pacquiao's quickness, speed and confusing attacking angles to be enough to thwart anything that Clottey might bring. And he expects those skills to pave the way for Pacquiao to do something that none of Clottey's other opponents, including Diego Corrales, Zab Judah, Antonio Margarito and Cotto, have done - stop him.

"I think he can stop him," Roach said. "He's got a good chin. But the punch that will get you is the punch you don't see."

Despite the fact that Clottey isn't a household name in boxing, a win would be an impressive one for Pacquiao, who will start campaigning for a seat in congress in the Philippines once the fight is over. And he has talked about retiring, although he hasn't been too specific about the time frame.

There won't be much left for Pacquiao to accomplish in boxing if he can't get Mayweather into the ring. And if Pacquiao loses his race for the congressional seat, there won't be much to do in the Philippines, except enjoy his money and his fame. And that might be enough.

For Clottey an upset victory over Pacquiao could lay the groundwork for greater respect in the welterweight division. He would be in line for a match against the winner of Mayweather-Mosley.

Of all the people connected with this promotion and those who hover above it, Clottey is the one who will receive the biggest bounce if he wins.

tsmith@nydailynews.com

Source: nydailynews.com

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Joshua Clottey's great but Manny 'Pac-Man' Pacquiao is greater -- El Paso Times

By Matthew Aguilar, El Paso Times

Joshua Clottey is as tough and dangerous a welterweight as there is in boxing.

He has cut his teeth against the world's best 147-pounders; he has an aggressive, straight-forward style that makes him fun to watch and easy to root for. He is gutsy, determined and skillful, and two of his three losses have come via decision to a pair of boxing's elite fighters.

Those who think the native of Ghana is a mere replacement for Floyd Mayweather Jr. don't know boxing.

Unfortunately for "Grandmaster," he is fighting the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world -- a superstar who is in his prime and considered not only the best fighter of the last decade, but one of the greatest warriors to ever lace up the gloves.

Yes, even for highly-qualified, deserving, former world champions like Clottey, facing Manny Pacquiao is a daunting task. And the challenger will need a superhuman effort to come out victorious when the duo meets for "Pac-Man's" WBO welterweight title at Cowboys Stadium (7 p.m. today, HBO pay-per-view).

Matchup problems

Clottey, 35-3 (20 knockouts), nearly hit the jackpot in his last fight, a razor-close 12-round decision loss to Miguel Cotto last June. He rebounded from a flash knockdown in the first round to punish Cotto down the stretch, turning the Puerto Rican's face into a bloody mess.

Cotto got the disputed decision, with that knockdown playing a vital role in the outcome. Afterward, Clottey -- painfully close to a career-defining victory -- pleaded for a rematch.

It is ironic then that, nine months later, Clottey is getting an opportunity against the guy who beat Cotto. It goes without saying that he matched up better with Cotto. Because nobody matches up well with Pacquiao, 50-3-2 (38 KOs).

The Filipino mega-star not only fires lightning-quick punches out of a southpaw stance -- making him one of the most technically-difficult fighters in the world -- he also is among the hardest punchers in boxing.

He caught Oscar De La Hoya with a stiff, jarring left hand in the first round of their December 2008 fight, and the bigger, taller De La Hoya never fully recovered.

From there, it was a massacre, with the 5-foot-6 Pacquaio registering a ninth-round TKO over the 5-10 De La Hoya. That was the start of an all-time great stretch for Pacquiao, who since then has knocked out Ricky Hatton (KO 2) and Cotto (TKO 12) in spectacular fashion.

Pacquiao is at the top of his game. But, at age 31, you have to wonder how much longer the joy ride will last.

A tough one

The first six rounds will be key for Clottey.

If the Ghanian can survive Pacquiao's speed, accuracy and crunching power for 18 minutes, his physical strength and bigger frame could have an effect on the Filipino. And, since Pac-Man hasn't been shy lately about engaging in toe-to-toe slugfests -- especially against fighters to which he feels superior -- a bonafide war could ensue.

That would be Clottey's best chance at victory.

But, even then, the challenger would be outgunned -- and getting beat three punches to one. At least. Every round will be exciting, and the Texas crowd will be treated to an action-packed, historic fight.

But, at the end of the day, the champ is just too good.

Pac-Man will use his amazing speed and power to wear Clottey down, who will be badly beaten and swollen at the end -- but gallant and still standing.

Pacquiao by 12th round TKO.

Matthew Aguilar may be reached at maguilarnew@yahoo.com.

Source: elpasotimes.com

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Clottey’s comedy corner turns weigh-in into laugh-in -- 15Rounds

By Norm Frauenheim, 15Rounds.com

ARLINGTON, Tex. – Manny Pacquiao and Joshua Clottey tried to play it straight when they were asked to pose. The stare-down is supposed to be serious stuff. One blink signals fear. But Pacquiao and Clottey laughed like kids at play. They couldn’t stop laughing.

A weigh-in, a well-rehearsed ritual, can be funny. One in front of Cowboys Stadium Friday was more laugh-in than weigh-in. Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38 KOs) and Clottey (35-3, 21 KOs) made the welterweight limit, Clottey at 147 pounds and Pacquiao at 145 ¾, for their fight Saturday night at the $1.2 billion arena.

After they stepped off the official scale, they must have laughed off another quarter pound or two. The Clottey camp played the straight man, the tomato can. Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach delivered the punch lines.

Clottey camper Gjin Gjini, owner of John’s Gym in New York, leaned over and told Roach that if the corners were fighting, Clottey’s corner would win in a beat-down. It was the equivalent of one kid telling another kid: My dad can whip your dad. No wonder they were laughing.

“He tells me that if the corners were fighting, we’d get beat up,’’ said Roach, who didn’t recall Ginji’s name and referred to him only as “the Albanian.”

At 50, Roach is well-past his best days as a brawling featherweight. Nevertheless, he has managed to become a target for insults from opposing corners. Floyd Mayweather, Sr., spouted dismissive poetry and few other things at Roach before Pacquiao knocked out Ricky Hatton. Joe Santiago took his rhetorical shots at Roach before Pacquiao’s stoppage of Miguel Cotto.

“When Manny fights Floyd Mayweather Jr., no telling what will happen between me and Roger Mayweather,’’ Roach said of Floyd’s uncle and trainer, also a former fighter. “Roger really doesn’t like me.’’

Anger at Roach from opposing camps might just be rooted in Pacquiao’s recent run of dominance. Nobody has been able to beat the Filipino, who was heavier than he has ever been at an official weigh-in. The Pacquiao reign isn’t expected to change against Clottey in a ring above the 50-yard line and beneath the biggest and brightest high-definition screen in this video universe and maybe a few others.

An undercurrent of rancor between the Clottey camp and Roach starts with Lenny DeJesus, who moved into Clottey’s corner as the lead trainer when Godwin Kotey of Ghana could not get a U.S. visa in time to travel to Dallas.

DeJesus was Pacquiao’s cutman. His role ended in 2005 after the Filipino’s loss to Erik Morales. It also was the last time Pacquiao lost. That fight represents some important history. DeJesus hopes it repeats itself. Roach has been making sure that it won’t. Pacquiao was badly cut over the left eye in the fifth round by head butt. DeJesus couldn’t stop the bleeding. Pacquiao, bothered by a river blood the flowed over and into his eye, couldn’t see well enough to stop Morales. Pacquiao lost a decision. DeJesus lost his job.

With Clottey, DeJesus has an opportunity at revenge with a durable fighter whose best weapon might be a head butt. A clash of heads against Cotto in June almost allowed Clottey to escape New York’s Madison Square Garden with a major upset instead of a loss by split decision.

“We won’t be there for that to happen,’’ Roach said of the head-butt possibility. “We’re at perfect fighting weight.”

Roach paused and added:

“We’re where we want to be.’’

Pacquiao has been for a while. That’s no joke.

Source: 15rounds.com

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KHAN HITS BACK AT DRUGS JIBES -- Mirror

By David Anderson, Mirror.co.uk

Amir Khan has hit back at Paulie Malignaggi, claiming: "I've never done drugs."

Khan is furious at what he sees as Malignaggi trying to tarnish him by accusing his stablemate Manny Pacquiao of using steroids.

And the WBA light-welterweight king has vowed to make the fasttalking American pay when they clash on May 15 at New York's Madison Square Garden.

"I train with Manny and whatever he does, I do," said Khan. "Does that mean I'm on drugs? "We love working hard and only a few fighters work as hard as we do, but to talk about drugs is rubbish.

"The guy just wants to build publicity for himself. Anytime they want to do a drugs test on me, I'll put my hand up and take one to prove what I'm saying.

"I've never taken anything. I'm a natural athlete - like Manny Pacquiao.

"I don't think he should apologise to me, but he should to the trainers for disrespecting Manny Pacquiao more than anything. I'll make him sorry when I'm in the ring with him."

Malignaggi, 29, who was stopped by Ricky Hatton in November 2008, claimed at yesterday's head-to-head in London's Leicester Square that Khan has been given the "redcarpet treatment" in his career.

The New Yorker, who had 'future legend' on his T-shirt, also dismissed Khan's 22-1 record, claiming no-one has heard of the Athens silver medallist across the Atlantic.

"He goes on about beating the legendary Marco Antonio Barrera, but he just beat the name, not the legend," said the Magic Man, who is 27-3. "I've fought better fighters than this kid and he's not known in the US. He hasn't fought in there yet.

"Every time I fight, people come up to me and say, 'hey, Paulie, who are you going to fight?' and I say, 'Miguel Cotto or Ricky Hatton or Juan Diaz' and they go 'wow, man'.

"But when I say this guy's name, they say 'who's that, is he a contender?' When I beat him everyone will know who he is."

Khan, 23, is focusing on turning on the style on his big American debut in his first fight with US promoters Golden Boy.

The Bolton fighter, who will begin his training camp at Freddie Roach's Wild Card gym in Los Angeles on Tuesday, said: "Dmitriy Salita also said I'd never fought anyone as good as him. I knocked him out in one round.

"I shut these fighters up with my fists and that's what I'll do with Paulie Malignaggi."

Source: mirror.co.uk

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Power Pac must go extra mile to stop Josh landing dosh -- Mirror

By Barry Mcguigan, Mirror.co.uk

Tonight's Wbo welterweight title fight is a really tough clash for Manny Pacquiao, and one he could lose.

Joshua Clottey is as hard as they come, a big, strong welterweight who has given the best big trouble.

If Pacquiao gets excited and tries to knock the guy out, as he likes to do, he could be on the wrong end of a shock in Arlington, Texas.

But if Pacquiao boxes on his toes, in and out, he should have too much for Clottey, who, for all his prodigious strength, is comparatively one-paced.

Whatever happens it is going to be an exciting fight. Clottey knows this is his last big opportunity and will come right at Pacquiao.

Clottey does not get discouraged. He hurt his hand against Antonio Margarito but battled on.

He took Miguel Cotto to the edge, losing on a split decision despite going down in the first round.

Ultimately he lost the fight because he switched off. I don't think that will be a factor tonight.

I admire Pacquiao for taking the fight. He is on an incredible run. He has a fantastic engine and has carried his speed and power with him through divisions in a way none has done before.

The subtext to this bout remains the fantasy fight between Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Junior.

Their failure to agree the details has given us two super fights instead of one. Mayweather squares off with Shane Mosley in another fantastic bout, again with Pacquiao looming in the background.

Victories for both keeps the pot boiling, adds a couple of zeros to the contract that will inevitably be signed.

The combination of styles makes tonight's fight a more exciting prospect.

Not as big an event maybe, but greater entertainment once the bell goes.

Clottey has a big jab, throws good combinations and is properly welterweight strong.

Whether he has the class at the highest level to make that bit of difference needed is the issue.

It's Pacquiao for me, but it'll be close and exciting.

Source: mirror.co.uk

***

Mepranum upsets Marquez -- The Ring

By Doug Fischer, The Ring

DALLAS, Texas -- Filipino flyweight prospect Richie Mepranum spoiled the U.S. debut of Mexico’s popular Hernan Marquez on Friday, out-pointing the undefeated junior bantamweight standout in the 10-round main event of a Fox Sports Net-televised card at the Gaylord Texan Convention center, the host hotel site of the Manny Pacquiao-Clottey fight.

Mepranum (17-2-1, 3 knockouts), who won by scores of 99-91, 98-92 and 96-94, stuck and moved efficiently against the aggressive but less accurate Marquez (27-1, 20 KOs).

In the co-featured bout, former heavyweight titleholder Samuel Peter (34-3, 27 KOs) looked sharp dispatching rangy prospect Nagy Aguliera (15-3, 10 KOs) in two rounds in an elimination bout for one of the belts.

Peter, who weighed in at 237½ pounds for the fight -- his lightest in nine years -- was fast and devastating, dropping Aguliera with a body shot early in the second round before overwhelming the 23-year-old former amateur standout against the ropes.

In the non-televised opening bout of the Top Rank-promoted show Anthony Peterson (30-0, 20 KOs) , THE RING’s No. 6-rated lightweight, dominated the shopworn Juan Ramon Cruz (16-7-1, 12 KOs) to a third-round KO. Peterson dropped Cruz once in the second round and twice in the third.

Welterweight fringe contender Dennis Laurante (34-3-4, 17 KOs), a Filipino southpaw who is managed by Pacquiao, narrowly outboxed the badly faded but still very game veteran Ben Tackie (29-12-1, 17 KOs) over eight rounds. Lautante won by scores of 78-74 and 77-75 (twice). Some members of the media believed Tackie deserved the nod.

Undefeated junior middleweight prospect Omar Henry (8-0, 7 KOs) demolished Mexico’s Francisco Reza (5-2, 4 KOs) 33 seconds into the opening round of their scheduled six rounder.

Heavyweight prospect Andy Ruiz (3-0, 3 KOs) had an easy time stopping hapless Luke Vaughn (0-2) in the first round of the their scheduled four rounder.

Source: ringtv.com

***

Joshua Clottey quietly going about his business for Manny Pacquiao -- Fort Worth Star-Telegram

By TOBIAS XAVIER LOPEZ, Fort Worth Star-Telegram

GRAPEVINE -- The first punch Joshua Clottey ever took made him barf and he crawled under the boxing ring to cry.

Clottey was a 6-year-old in the Bukom area of Accra, Ghana, when he challenged the boxing haven's bully.

It didn't go well for Clottey.

Fueled by the embarrassment, Clottey left the African soccer fields and began training as a fighter.

"Because of that I started training, I started training and I beat him and he stopped boxing and I became a boxer," Clottey recalled.

Clottey, 32, won't be taking on a bully tonight in his WBO world welterweight title fight against Manny Pacquiao at Cowboys Stadium.

But he will be taking on a persona that far eclipses his quiet, thoughtful demeanor.

The Bukom area serves as a boxing playground, which has produced champions Azumah Nelson and Ike Quartey.

All three fighters hail from the "Ga" tribe, though Clottey now lives and trains in the Bronx.

Clottey arrived at the Gaylord Texan this week surrounded by about five people, all who served training purposes.

Pacquiao brought an entourage of roughly 170 people.

Clottey's open training session featured about 10 autograph seekers who were just as interested as in catching Jerry Jones' and Bob Arum's signatures.

Pacquiao's public workout featured at least 500 fans, some of them lined up three hours before the event began.

Clottey has held one world title.

Pacquiao reigns as the only fighter to win seven in different weight classes.

Clottey worked out in standard gray T-shirts.

Pacquiao has his own series of Nike training shoes.

"Both of us respect each other," Pacquiao said. "When we get to the ring, nothing personal, we're just doing our job to give a good show. We're going to do our best."

At Wednesday's final news conference, Clottey brought longtime New York boxing trainer/cutman Lenny DeJesus and his manager, Vinny Scolpino.

Pacquiao lined up the table with trainer Freddy Roach, a strength coach, several handlers and an assistant trainer whose nameplate simply read, "Buboy."

Throughout the week, Pacquiao continued to smile, laugh, sing and exhibit the charisma that has made him a worldwide sports figure.

Meanwhile, Clottey can often be seen staring off above the heads of the ever-growing media contingent and packs of autograph seekers.

He remained thankful for the opportunity and seemed to understand his role in the PacMan circus.

"I feel so good about it," he said. "This is a very big opportunity for me, a very big opportunity. I'm so proud and happy of where I come from and where I've been in boxing all around the world trying to become somebody like this. Today I am. I'm so proud and happy for myself."

Clottey does possess at least one thing that Pacquiao doesn't. He is a natural welterweight, fitting comfortably at 147 pounds.

DeJesus prepared the righty Clottey with 90 rounds of sparring against left-handers, combined with a strict diet and plenty of running.

"He's in tremendous condition," DeJesus said. "... I think we are prepared for a real tough fight because we are fighting one of the greatest fighters on the planet. Manny Pacquiao has one of his toughest fights coming."

Pacquiao continues to grow in weight, and generously listed at 5-foot-6 is pushing the boundaries of what his frame can hold. Pacquiao can't get much bigger and still maintain the flexibility and more important, his hand speed, which rivals that of a flapping hummingbird's wings.

DeJesus thinks Pacquiao's rise in weight could see a dropoff in his speed late in the 12-round bout.

Clottey has never been knocked out.

"We Africans have that thing, we always have a good chin," Clottey said. "We take a lot of punches, but we never feel pain. I have a good chin."

Scolpino agreed that Clottey fits this weight class naturally and will bring impressive power despite his low-key demeanor.

"He's very humble, he comes from a humble beginning and he's still that way," Scolpino said. "He wants to take care of his family and bring money home to Ghana. It's a poor country. They have basically nothing and so that's what he wants to do."

TOBIAS XAVIER LOPEZ, 817-390-7760

tlopez@star-telegram.com

Source: star-telegram.com

***

Pacquiao, Clottey will tangle for title belt -- San Antonio Express

By JOHN WHISLER, San Antonio Express-News

ARLINGTON — His campaign for political office in the Philippines will begin soon. He has hinted that this could be his last fight.

And then there is the lingering hangover from the whole Floyd Mayweather Jr. mess.

Manny Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38 KOs) has ample reason to be distracted when he steps into the ring tonight against Joshua Clottey (35-3, 20 KOs) in boxing's debut at Cowboys Stadium.

But don't bet on it.

“I know he's bigger and stronger than me,” said Pacquiao, who hasn't lost in five years. “So I can't underestimate him because he is a former world champion also.”

A sellout crowd of 45,000 is expected for the 12-round bout for Pacquiao's World Boxing Organization welterweight title, the main event on an HBO pay-per-view card that starts at 8 p.m.

Heavenly bout

On paper, it's a match made in boxing heaven: Pacquiao, the world's greatest fighter, competing in perhaps the world's greatest sports venue.

Maybe that's why promoters dubbed it “The Event.”

“The Fight,” the one fans wanted to see, is Pacquiao-Mayweather. But it died a slow and painful death after negotiations broke down over Mayweather's camp demanded random, Olympic-style blood tests.

Pacquiao and Top Rank promoter Bob Arum walked away from the bout and decided on Clottey, another fighter from the Top Rank stable.

Clottey, 32, is no Mayweather. His best hope for victory might be a distracted Pacquiao. A native of Accra, Ghana, now living in the Bronx, Clottey is coming off a 12-round split-decision loss to Miguel Cotto in June, a fight some say Clottey won. He owns wins over Zab Judah and Diego Corrales, but lost a 12-round unanimous decision to Antonio Margarito in 2006.

Pacquiao dominated Cotto in November in his last fight, winning by 12th-round TKO.

A durable fighter with underrated hand speed whose forte is blocking punches, Clottey has never been stopped or knocked out in 38 pro bouts.

But Pacquiao's trainer, Freddie Roach, predicts that will change.

“We've watched a lot of tape on Clottey,” Roach said. “Manny will overwhelm him with his speed and I do believe he will be the first person to (knock him out).”

Pacquiao is a 5-1 favorite in the scheduled 12-round fight.

Pacquiao weighed in at 145¾ pounds for the fight; Clottey weighed in at 147 pounds Friday.

Pacquiao, 31, maintains he is focused on this fight and nothing else.

He plans to return to the Philippines by March 22 to begin his campaign for a congressional seat. He ran for office in 2007 and was defeated.

“This is my last fight before the election,” Pacquiao said. “I am not saying I am going to retire.”

Strong denial

Pacquiao maintains he has never taken steroids and has declined to discuss the blood-testing issue in recent days.

It won't be a problem for this fight because Texas only requires urine testing after a fight.

Rafael Ramos of San Antonio will referee the bout.

San Antonio featherweight Joe Morales (20-13, four KOs) is scheduled to appear in a non-televised bout on the undercard.

jwhisler@express-news.net

Source: chron.com

***

Manny Pacquiao has crowd on his side -- Los Angeles Times

By Lance Pugmire, Los Angeles Times

arlington, texas
— It's Manny Pacquiao's crowd, and Joshua Clottey knows it.

As a chorus of "Manny!" chants rushed the Cowboys Stadium outdoor stage where the two fighters weighed in Friday (Clottey at the limit 147 pounds, and Pacquiao at 145 3/4 pounds) for Saturday night's WBO welterweight title fight, challenger Clottey briefly mouthed "Manny!" himself.

It's public gatherings like this that Pacquiao will repeat starting later this month as he campaigns for a May 20 congressional election in his native Philippines.

"He thrives on the chaos, he loves the followers, having people around him all the time," said Pacquiao's boxer friend Brian Viloria. "When it comes to the fight, he understands how important that is."

But Clottey's confidence is interesting. A Clottey cornerman told Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach on stage that, "If our two corners were fighting, we'd kick your [rear]." When Pacquiao stepped a bit too close to the edge of the stage, Clottey's beefy cook, known as "Alligator," playfully acted as if he'd provide a little shove to ensure Pacquiao would fall off.

"Good to go!" Clottey trainer Lenny DeJesus said after the Friday weigh-in. "We're right where we want to be."

When Clottey was seen working feverishly Thursday, jumping rope and spending time in the hotel's fitness center, there were whispers that perhaps he was overweight. Not true, says DeJesus, who expects to send a fighter weighing close to 160 pounds into the ring.

"We wanted him to eat [Friday] – salmon, provides lots of energy," DeJesus said.

"I feel so good," Clottey said onstage. "I know Manny's a good fighter, but I'm ready for him. I'll be more strong than in any other fight. I've never trained so hard."

Pacquiao ate breakfast Friday too, then packed on a big late lunch of beef, pork and rice.

He'll be smaller than Clottey, but his massive popularity fits the stadium. "I'm not going to promise you a knockout, but I'll do my best to make the people happy," Pacquiao told the crowd.

"[Clottey's] not going to be able to take the fight," Pacquiao said.

lance.pugmire@latimes.com

Copyright © 2010, The Los Angeles Times

Source: latimes.com

***

In the Biggest Bouts, Clottey Finds A Way To Lose -- The Sweet Science

By Ron Borges, The Sweet Science

It has become popular since the collapse of the Floyd Mayweather, Jr.-Manny Pacquiao negotiations to try and turn Joshua Clottey into some kind of King Kong figure. He is not.

Promoter Bob Arum has done his job in the weeks leading up to Saturday night’s welterweight title fight between Clottey and Pacquiao at Cowboys Stadium, just outside of Dallas. Arum has sold the public and a goodly number of writers a storyline that Clottey is bigger than Pacquiao, bigger he seems to want you to believe, than any welterweight that ever roamed the planet. He is bigger than Pacquiao. So am I. It won’t help either of us when a fight breaks out.

Clottey is a solidly built welterweight who has proven he can take a lot of punishment. That will stand him in good stead Saturday night because that is what is going to happen. He is going to get hit more times that night than he’s been hit in his career because while he may be bigger than Pacquiao he is not faster than Pacquiao. He is not as skilled as Pacquiao. Nor does he have the same warrior’s spirit.

That is why he will not prevail Saturday night, although for a time he will very likely make life more difficult for Pacquiao than it has been since he was last in the ring with Juan Manuel Marquez. But making life difficult for your opponent does not mean you are going to beat your opponent.

Clottey (35-3, 20 KO) is a classic loser in this kind of situation. I mean no disrespect when I say this. It is simply a fact. Like Zab Judah, Clottey is a talented fighter who can be in the ring with anybody and acquit himself well. The problem is he can’t beat everybody.

Neither did Judah. When faced with defining moment fights both of them have regularly found ways to lose. Saturday night will be no different even if Clottey’s strength proves daunting for Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38 KO) at times.

Clottey will not work hard enough late in the fight, when things are being decided, simply because he can’t seem to make himself do it. He failed against Carlos Baldomir in such a fight. He failed worse against Antonio Margarito. And he utterly imploded against a beatable Miguel Cotto. With the fight on the line he simply was unable to push himself the last mile. Why should that change against the best fighter he’s ever faced?

Asked about the loss to Cotto, whom Pacquiao destroyed, Clottey claimed this week that his corner had told him he was winning easily, as if that was an explanation for taking the final rounds off as Cotto pressed him and snatched a victory away from him by sheer force of will.

“They were thinking that I was winning so I was not pushing too much in my mind,’’ he explained.

Not pushing too much in his mind? Whatever became of the long held concept of closing the show? Not "pushing too much in my mind" in the biggest fight of his life? Not pushing too much in my mind against the biggest opponent he’d ever faced?

Had that been a singular occurrence perhaps you could write it off to an ill thought out game plan but it was not. He didn’t push himself against Baldomir either and forget about the Margarito fight, nights that seem to reveal an alarming hole in Joshua Clottey’s makeup. He is a tough, strong, legitimate contender. He belongs in the ring with Manny Pacquiao. But he is unlikely to beat Manny Pacquiao, save a lucky punch, and Bob Arum knows it, which is why he made the fight in the first place.

Not working hard in the ring has long been a part of Clottey’s style. While he has a strong chin and can take a lot of abuse without apparent problems, he also works only sporadically on offense, refusing to open himself up to the risk that comes with throwing punches in bunches.

Pacquiao is the opposite. When Clottey comes forward and tries to impose his will and strength on Pacquiao he will throw punches, not cover up. Because of his superior hand speed, he will also land and Clottey’s response will be what it always has been in such circumstances. He will cover up, take the punches and then shake his head as if to say, ‘’You didn’t hurt me.’’

Perhaps Pacquiao won’t. But he’ll beat him because that’s why he’ll be there – to be edged out. To be outworked. To be nipped at the wire. It’s what he does.

“I’ll have to fight every round more convincingly,’’ Clottey admitted, before in the next breath hinting that he might not.

“I’ll make sure if I throw a few it’s going to connect and I’m going to do damage. Manny is fighting a real welterweight. No catch weight. No nothing. I’ve never felt none of my opponent’s punches. I’m not going to go backward. The fear and pressure will make him think more.’’

It was almost as if Clottey was talking about himself as he spoke about Pacquiao. If there is one thing Pacquiao does not do is waste a lot of time thinking about his opponent pressuring him. He welcomes it. It is Clottey who has cracked under an opponent’s relentless pressure, too often retreating to the ropes with his hands held high by his ears as an opponent throws a barrage of punches.

Worse, even he admits he is not always busy enough, especially in his biggest fights. At the moment of truth in the past against top opponents, Joshua Clottey couldn’t make himself to enough to win. He wouldn’t take the risk required – demanded really – to take a shot at winning.

Why should it be any different Saturday night against the best fighter he’s ever faced?

Could things change? Could he be too big for Pacquiao or too strong? Sure. Will he be?

No he won’t, because Joshua Clottey is not King Kong. He’s Joshua Clottey, a good fighter but when the moment of truth comes, when the demands are highest, one who’s not good enough.

Source: thesweetscience.com

***

Cowboys Stadium could have a beautiful crowd for Pacquiao-Clottey -- Fort Worth Star-Telegram

By JAN HUBBARD and TOBIAS XAVIER LOPEZ, Fort Worth Star-Telegram

ARLINGTON -- Jerry Jones is obviously hoping for a beautiful experience tonight when Manny Pacquiao defends his WBO world welterweight championship in a bout with Joshua Clottey.

The official weigh-in was conducted Friday on the East Plaza of Cowboys Stadium, and both fighters made their weight -- Pacquiao at 1453/4 and Clottey at the welterweight limit of 147.

For Jones, it was the last step before the main event -- the first boxing card at the new stadium. And while Jones is bubbly optimistic, he did say that he has a few butterflies.

"It's like a beautiful woman," the Dallas Cowboys owner said. "You can have a great chin or great-looking eyes, but it's got to all come together, and what does it look like then?"

All signs suggest the final product will be impressive. Jones said the 10-bout card is nearing a sellout of 45,000 and is close enough that end-zone party passes -- giving fans access to the plazas outside and the six party decks -- are being sold and a big walk-up crowd is expected.

The standing room-only passes will be $35 and Jones said as many as 30,000 could be sold, "although I don't anticipate that at all."

Tickets are available through Ticketmaster, by visiting online at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-755-3000. Standing-room viewing along the party deck rails is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Jones is stoked.

"We've got the huge digital screen, we've got the crowd, we've got two fighters and the first time we've had two people competing [in a stadium event]," Jones said. "So what is that going to be? I hope it's going to be a unique way to watch the fight."

Watch the board

When the fans load up the stadium tonight, there will be plenty of Filipino flags, Manny Pacquiao's many fans, entourage and family, maybe some Cowboys cheerleaders and likely a pyrotechnic or two.

Amid all the sensory overload, what is it that Pacquiao thinks he'll see first?

"I think I'll see my face," Pacquiao said with a laugh.

He was referring, of course, to the giant video board, which will highlight and perhaps distract fans from the action in the ring.

Pacquiao said shows like this and Top Rank's June show at Yankee Stadium represent a significant opportunity to take boxing back to the people.

"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."

After tonight's fight, Pacquiao will return to begin his campaign for a congressional seat in the Philippines.

When asked if a victory would help, Pacquiao replied simply, "I don't know."

However, promoter Bob Arum provided the most insightful line of the week when it came to politics potentially taking away from Pacquiao's boxing career.

"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?" Arum said.

Playmaker's prediction

Michael Irvin was one of a few area celebrities on hand for the festivities this week. Irvin struck his best boxing pose for the cameras and even had a prediction on the outcome of the main event.

"Hopefully, Pacquiao will let him hang around long enough that we can get a real good show. I don't see how you can beat a guy that is as gifted and as talented as Pacquiao is and works the way he works," said Irvin, who will join Jerry Jones in the owner's suite at Cowboys Stadium.

Pay-per-view rebate

Fight sponsor Tecate is offering a $20 rebate to fans who buy the pay-per-view broadcast with the purchase of a 12-pack of Tecate cerveza.

Staff writer Matthew Reagan contributed to this report.

tlopez@star-telegram.com
jhubbard@star-telegram.com

Source: star-telegram.com

***

Pacquiao’s Challenger Clottey Follows in Footsteps of Warriors -- New York Times

By GREG BISHOP, New York Times

ARLINGTON, Tex. — Even here, with Saturday’s welterweight title fight in Cowboys Stadium, with nearly 45,000 seats sold, with Manny Pacquiao defending his latest world championship, the fight that fell apart looms over the proceedings.

Every day, someone asks Freddie Roach, Pacquiao’s trainer, about the other fight, the dream bout between Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr., boxing’s undisputed kings. Roach gets that question in grocery stores and shopping malls, from Magic Johnson and the celebrities who train at his Wild Card Boxing Club, even from a waiter at an ice lounge in Los Angeles.

“I was wearing an Eskimo hat,” Roach said. “Same question. Everybody wants to see that fight.”

Instead, Pacquiao will face Joshua Clottey under the most jumbo of all JumboTrons, in the fight few wanted except for the participants, none more so than Clottey. To get here, he survived poverty in Africa, career turmoil and four years spent out of boxing, all to become the latest challenger from the most unlikely of boxing hotbeds.

Pacquiao travels in a luxury bus with his image plastered on the side. On Thursday, Clottey rode to Cowboys Stadium in a hotel shuttle van. Pacquiao houses his sizable entourage in two homes in Los Angeles. Clottey lives in a one-bedroom apartment in the Bronx.

Clottey lives a simple life, born out of necessity, buoyed by boxing, each of his 32 years defined by struggle and by spirit.

“I have the mentality of a warrior,” he said. “I love to be in the ring.”

Clottey grew up in Accra, Ghana, a place he described with two words: small and poor. His father worked in road construction, earning barely enough money to care for six children and Clottey’s mother.

Clottey grew up in a house with one room. As many as 10 people stayed there at a time, sharing a single bed, sleeping in shifts.

Clottey, part of the Ga tribe, grew up in a neighborhood called Bokum. He said the Ga fancied themselves as warriors, and that translated naturally to boxing.

“There is no help from nowhere,” Clottey said. “That makes you a harder boy. You have to be hard. Because if you don’t do that, you’re not going to eat.”

Boxing reigned in Bokum, like football in Texas or basketball in Harlem. Except, instead of pickup basketball, the boys in Bokum had pickup boxing.

Clottey said his neighborhood was split into seven areas, each with its own gym. He used the word “gym” loosely, because fights often took place on concrete, inside a thin rope, without hand wraps and with torn, mangled gloves. “Like there,” Clottey said, pointing to a dilapidated parking lot.

From this warrior mentality sprung dozens of warriors, the modern-day kind who fought their battles inside makeshift boxing rings. All the fighters — from the featherweight champion Azumah Nelson to the bruising welterweight Ike Quartey, among others — came from this small, poor place.

Many boxing champions have risen from similar circumstances, but the concentrated volume made Bokum different. Boxers became the area’s chief export.

“Manny Pacquiao’s poverty makes an American kid’s poverty look like luxury,” said the promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank Boxing. “From what I’ve heard, Clottey’s poverty makes Manny’s poverty look like luxury.”

Throughout his career, Clottey carried with him the spirit from the neighborhood. He endured a disastrous stretch in England, where he said he never faced top competition. He returned to Ghana, where he began plotting his big break — which was available only in the United States.

He arrived in 2003, broke, and landed in the Bronx, minutes from Yankee Stadium. The first time his manager, Vinny Scolpino, watched Clottey spar, Scolpino had never so much as heard of him.

“I didn’t know him from a hole in the wall,” Scolpino said. “Joshua Clottey was nobody, basically, just another 10-round fighter. I always thought he had something, a spark. Maybe because he had so little, he needed something.”

Clottey compiled a 35-3 record, with 21 knockouts, and his losses came against world champions. He beat Zab Judah. He lost by close decision to Antonio Margarito, despite fighting with a pair of broken hands. In his most recent fight, last June, he lost by controversial split decision to Miguel Cotto.

None of those fighters knocked Clottey down, or cut him, or left any mark other than three losses on his record. The only mark on Clottey is the tattoo he had inked a few weeks back, his initials interlocked with boxing gloves on his right forearm.

Roach predicted Pacquiao would become the first fighter to “stop” Clottey, to end the fight before the scorecards are tallied. Clottey responded: “Why would Manny Pacquiao knock me out? That surprises me. He can’t knock me out with punches.”

After the Cotto fight, Arum consoled an emotional Clottey in the dressing room by promising bigger future fights. Neither Scolpino nor Clottey envisioned what came next, when the Mayweather negotiations fell apart because of blood testing and Clottey landed the biggest of all bouts.

All week, these fighters tossed compliments at each other. Pacquiao called Clottey a gentleman and a “nice guy.” Clottey, while vowing to attack the smaller, quicker Pacquiao, lauded his place in boxing history.

Scolpino believes his fighter can shock Pacquiao on Saturday. He pronounced Clottey to be in the best shape of his career and said, “If he comes out with a ‘W,’ man, he’s on top of the world.”

If Pacquiao wins, and Mayweather defeats Shane Mosley on May 1, negotiations are expected to resume for the fight that would transcend boxing. But first, Pacquiao must topple Clottey, a fighter familiar with long odds.

“People have lost sight of Clottey because of the Mayweather stuff,” Arum said. “He’s never had the exposure. He’s never been a network favorite. But people who say this is going to be a walk in the park for Pacquiao are crazy.”

Inside Cowboys Stadium on Thursday, Clottey leaned forward in the stands, his eyes fixed on the scoreboard that read “Pacquiao-Clottey, The Event.” Clottey had secured the fight he always wanted. For him, Mayweather-Pacquiao could wait.

Source: nytimes.com

***

Pac-man primed for Clottey showdown -- Yahoo! Sports

By Kevin Iole, Yahoo! Sports

ARLINGTON, Texas – Manny Pacquiao has ascended to the level of the boxing legends.

He faces a difficult test on Saturday at Cowboys Stadium when he defends his World Boxing Organization welterweight title in an HBO Pay-Per-View bout against Joshua Clottey.

Promoter Bob Arum was beaming after Friday’s festive weigh-in that attracted around 2,500 enthusiastic fans to the plaza outside the swank stadium.

Only a few hundred of the 45,000 tickets for the card remain, prompting Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones on Friday to offer standing-room tickets at $35 apiece.

Jones refers to his standing-room seats as “party passes,” and Arum will be partying for a week if early indications of the fight’s popularity prove true.

The closed-circuit locations and presales in the East are at record levels, surpassing where they were in 2007 for the Oscar De La Hoya-Floyd Mayweather Jr. fight. Indications are that the pay-per-view is tracking better than expected, and Arum said he won’t be shocked if it touches 900,000 buyers.

That’s an astonishing number for just about any fight but even more so for a bout against a largely unknown opponent like Clottey, who doesn’t bring with him a large fan base.

Had Pacquiao-Clottey fought two years ago, Arum would have been lucky to have sold a quarter of the tickets he has sold for Saturday’s card.

One of the truths in boxing promoting is that you always need a strong ‘B-side’ if you’re going to do real business.

Pacquiao, though, is one of the few exceptions to that maxim. He is one of those, like Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson, who no longer needs a wildly popular B-side to sell. Pacquiao sells tickets and pay-per-views on his name alone.

He erased any doubts about his legitimacy as a welterweight when he decimated Cotto in November.

Pacquiao has set the bar enormously high, and though Clottey never has been knocked out, trainer Freddie Roach is expecting Pacquiao to set another first.

“I really believe Manny will find a way,” Roach said.

Pacquiao was as relaxed as ever on Friday. He was wolfing down food in an attempt to come somewhere near the welterweight limit of 147 pounds.

He was 142 when he awakened on Friday, then ate a large breakfast featuring eggs and had a lunch of grilled pork, grilled beef, white and brown rice and steamed vegetables. He was also gulping large amounts of water.

That’s in stark contrast to the vast majority of fighters, who can’t eat at all on the day of the weigh-in and wind up sucking on ice or, if they’re lucky, slices of fruit.

Despite all he ate – and he was headed for dinner after the weigh-in – he still was only 145 pounds.

Like Ali, he understands his place in the sport, as well. Boxing fans were bitterly disappointed when a bout with Mayweather wasn’t finalized. That would have pitted the two best fighters in the world for overall supremacy in a match that in essence would have been boxing’s Super Bowl.

Facing a difficult, but far less notable opponent, Pacquiao understands the need to perform to give the sport a jolt when it needs one after it lost a mega-fight at the negotiating table.

“I can’t promise a knockout, but I want to put on a good show for the people who support me all the time,” he said.

Clottey is a bigger man naturally and probably will weigh around 160 pounds by the time he walks to the ring on Saturday. Pacquiao may go up to 148 but certainly isn’t expected to hit 150.

He has been smaller than everyone he has fought since his epic 2008 match with Juan Manuel Marquez, but in subsequent knockout victories over then-lightweight champion David Diaz, De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton and Cotto, Pacquiao has been stalking his larger opponents.

Perhaps the most stunning scene in many a year was Cotto, one of the toughest, most aggressive fighters in recent times, backpedaling to flee the power of the man who just two years earlier was fighting at 128 pounds.

His meteoric rise from super bantamweight in 2001, where he won the International Boxing Federation title while weighing 121 pounds, to his crushing victory over Cotto in November has caused some to suspect he has used performance-enhancing drugs.

The Mayweather fight was unable to be made for that very reason, as Mayweather for the first time in his career demanded that his opponent agree to random blood and urine testing.

Arum, though, insists it’s a misnomer to believe Pacquiao is a big man now.

“He was having trouble making 130 and after the Marquez fight (on March 15, 2008), he wanted to go to lightweight (and its 135-pound limit,” Arum said. “But he’s really a 140-pounder now. He fought Hatton at 138. His most comfortable weight now is 140, but if there were some kind of a huge fight at 135, he could make that if he had to.

“That’s what makes what he’s doing all the more remarkable, because you have this little guy just beating the (expletive) out of guys who are physically a lot bigger than he is.”

Clottey has a tight defense and isn’t a guy who throws a lot of punches, thereby reducing the number of openings to be hit. So Pacquiao may not get the knockout, but there is one thing you can count on when Manny Pacquiao hits the ring – excitement.

Legendary hockey announcer Mike Lange of the Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins often would say during a particularly exciting game, “If you’ve missed this one, shame on you for six weeks.”

And if you’re a boxing fan and you miss a chance to see Pacquiao, you’re going to regret it a lot longer than just six weeks.

He’s that good.

Source: sports.yahoo.com

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Festive stadium weighs in boxers -- ESPN

By Calvin Watkins, ESPNDallas.com



ARLINGTON, Texas -- A weigh-in at the $1.2 billion Cowboys Stadium isn't just a normal one.

With screaming fans and the plaza doors open to show the massive video board as a backdrop, Manny Pacquiao and Joshua Clottey weighed in Friday for their Saturday night WBO welterweight title fight.

Pacquiao, the champion, came in at 145¾. Clottey was at 147.

Pacquiao's trainer, Freddie Roach, said he wasn't concerned about his fighter's weight. Pacquiao averaged about 152 pounds per day during training.

"After he stopped drinking protein shakes, the weight drops," said Roach, who added his fighter weighed 144 on Friday morning.

The fighters tried to stare each other down after the weigh-in but broke out in laughter.

The weigh-in was attended by Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, who said this inaugural fight at the stadium is "hopefully one of many."

Promoter Bob Arum said he expects the fight to have at least 1 million pay-per-view buys with the fight shown in more than 80 million homes worldwide.

The event brought out a star-studded crowd which included actor Robert Duvall and former Dallas Cowboys safety Darren Woodson.

Cowboys officials expect 42 former and current members of the team to attend the fight, including former coach Jimmy Johnson and ex-quarterback Troy Aikman.

The fight is nearing a sellout of 45,000, and stadium officials said they will sell standing-room only tickets for $35 each.

Calvin Watkins covers boxing for ESPN Dallas. You can follow him on Twitter or leave a question for his weekly mailbag.

Source: sports.espn.go.com

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Pacquiao-Clottey Weigh-In Report/PREDICTION PAGE -- The Sweet Science

By George Kimball, The Sweet Science

ARLINGTON, Texas --- When they stepped on the scale outside Texas Stadium Friday night the differential between them was a mere pound and a quarter, but Manny Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach supposes that as much as 15 or 16 pounds could separate Manny Pacquiao and Joshua Clottey by the time they step into the ring tomorrow night.

“Manny won’t put on much at all. He can’t gain much more (than the 145 3/4 he scaled in last night),” said Roach, who expects his righter to come into the ring weighing no more than 148 or 149. Clottey, on the other hand, is a natural welterweight who has made no secret of his intent to come in ‘big’ for the megabout, and Roach fully expects his fighter to be facing a full-fledged super-middleweight by the time the bell rings.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if Clottey weighs 165 or 166 by fight time,” said Roach, who nonetheless remains resolute in his prediction of a Pacquiao knockout.

The weigh-in was conducted before an audience several thousand strong that would make for a decent crowd at most any club fight show you could think of. Announcer Michael Buffer was kept busy introducing the dignitaries, who included former champions Antonio Margarito and Jorge Arce of Mexico, along with Dallas‘ own Stevie Cruz, who upset Barry McGuigan to win the WBA featherweight title almost a quarter-century ago. Actor Robert Duvall was also introduced on the dais but did not weigh in, and Cowboys‘ safety Darren Woodson took the microphone from Buffer to warm up the crowd, whose allegiance seemed evenly divided between Mexico and the Philippines. If there were any rooters from Ghana they did not make their presence known.

Even though Cowboys Stadium was reconfigured to accommodate 45,000 for Pacquiao-Clottey, promoter Bob Arum said shortly before the weigh-in that just a handful of tickets remained, and a sellout appears likely. Arum revealed that his partner, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, had opted to put an undetermined (but probably unlimited) number of $35 “party” tickets on sale 24 hours before the fight.

The “party pass” is an innovation Jones developed for sold-out Cowboys home games. Patrons don’t get a seat, but rather are allowed to mill around on a plaza high above the field. Sight lines are pretty limited, but the party patrons are able to watch on the state of the art video boards, and, of course, have access to a bar. The setup was designed, according to Jones, “to accommodate fans who just want to be part of the atmosphere" -- and judging from the turnout at last night’s weigh-in and their reaction to Arum’s “party time!” announcement, there appears to be an abundance of those.

The main event referee, Rafael Ramos, was working the night Manny Pacquiao last fought in Texas three years ago, but their paths didn’t cross that night at the Alamodome. Ramos drew several undercard bouts, including those involving Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and Victor Ortiz, but the assignment for the Paquiao-Jorge Solis main event went to Vic Drakulich of Transylvania.

Although he has resided in San Antonio for the past 17 years, the 53 year-old Ramos was born in Puerto Rico and cut his refereeing teeth in the New Jersey casinos two decades ago. Although he has worked upwards of 30 world title bouts, more than half of them were overseas, and he seems to specialize in Oriental junkets, having worked two dozen title bouts in the Far East, including 21 separate trips to Japan.

Ironically, Ramos was not the WBO’s first choice to work tonight’s bout. The slate of officials initially proposed listed Laurence Cole as the referee, but that was overruled by William Kuntz, the executive director of the Texas Commission. Not only has Cole involved himself in controversy by mishandling several high-profile bouts over the years (including a suspension for his misconduct in a 2006 fight involving Juan Manuel Marquez), but it was felt that the fact that he is the son of former Texas boxing boss Dickie Cole might create the appearance of impropriety. (This apparently never occurred to anyone on Dickie’s watch.)

At the very least, had the Cole appointment stood, there would have been as much attention focused on the referee as on the fighters themselves, and, Ramos noted earlier this week, “the fans aren’t paying to see me.”

Should their services be required, the panel of ringside judges for the main event will be Duane Ford (Nevada), Levi Martinez (New Mexico) and Nelson Vasquez (Puerto Rico).

Ramos was the referee when Marquez stopped Juan Diaz in the ninth round of their 2009 Fight of the Year candidate in Houston. Ironically, although their services were not required that night, both Ford and Martinez were judges for that bout.

* * *
Ten bouts in all are on tap, with the last four of them slated to be aired on the HBO PPV telecast, including the Humberto Soto-David Diaz WBC lightweight title fight.

In introducing the principals for that one at Thursday’s undercard press conference, promoter Bob Arum noted that more than any other single person, Diaz is responsible for setting in motion the chain of events leading to tonight’s megafight by agreeing to Pacquiao’s 2008 challenge for his WBC lightweight title.

Since Pacquiao had not once in 50 pro fights ventured north of 130 pounds, it was not a fight Diaz was obliged to take, and Pac-Man’s TKO9 presaged similar fates for Oscar De Lay Hoya, Ricky Hatton, and Miguel Cotto in Manny’s subsequent climb up the scales.

At 29, Alfonso Gomez is better known for his role in ‘The Contender’ and as the man who retired the late Arturo Gatti than for anything he’s done lately. Gomez revealed that much of his recent energy has gone into performing with his two brothers in a Spanish hip-hop group called Hybrid. Thursday afternoon the Fonz provided a sneak peek, reciting the lyrics to a recent composition, the subject of which was tonight’s 36 year-old opponent, Jose Luis Castillo.

The recitation was in Spanish, but we can reliably report that Gomez’ song incorporated the names of Castillo, Bob Arum, Freddy Krueger, and Tecate beer. Castillo seemed properly amused.

The PPV show will kick off with a scheduled ten-rounder in which Irish middleweight John Duddy has been pitted against his third consecutive Mexican-born opponent in his year-long quest for redemption following last year’s upset at the hands of Billy Lyell. Unlike his recent victims Michi Munoz and Juan Astorga, both of whom now reside in Kansas, Michael Medina lives in Monterrey and will be fighting North of the border for just the third time in his career.

It was consequently something of a surprise, then, to hear Medina address the gathering in perfectly un-accented English. (In fact, claimed a Texan in attendance, “Medina’s English is easier to understand than Duddy’s is.”)

“English was actually my first language,” Medina explained to us later. “I was born in Mexico, but my family moved to California when I was little. I went to American schools until I was 12, when we moved back to Mexico.”

In addition to the sold-out live audience, Arum is hoping for as many as 750,000 buys for the US pay-per-view telecast. Millions more, as Buffer likes to say, will be watching on live television around the world. The team of Ian Darke and Jim Watt are here to call the bout for Britain’s SKY TV. Because no Brit is involved, Pacquiao-Clottey will be shown on free television in the United Kingdom. By contrast, May’s Amir Khan-Paulie Malignaggi fight at the Madison Square Garden Theatre will be a pay-per-view fight in Britain. Go figure.

Source: thesweetscience.com

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