By GREG BISHOP, New York Times
ARLINGTON, Tex. — Another fight, another overwhelmed opponent, another convincing punishment delivered by Manny Pacquiao.
On Saturday night in Cowboys Stadium, Pacquiao defeated Joshua Clottey by unanimous decision to retain his World Boxing Organization welterweight championship. He pummeled Clottey’s ribs and midsection. He dissected and destructed his latest overmatched opponent.
Now, the fight that boxing fans demand looms, larger than ever. Pacquiao continues to dismiss all challengers, except Floyd Mayweather Jr., the fighter who presents perhaps his biggest challenge. Here, Pacquiao essentially won his semifinal, leaving Mayweather, who fights Shane Mosley on May 1, to win his end before negotiations between the sport’s two best boxers can resume.
For the most part, Clottey fought defensively and conservatively, as if unable to summon an attack. In the seventh round, Clottey managed to bruise Pacquiao under his right eye, but Pacquiao remained on the offensive, stalking Clottey, landing body shots, body shots and more body shots.
The question lingered. When would Clottey let his hands go and unleash his superior strength and size? When would he, you know, fight?
Clottey opened up occasionally in the later rounds, but by then, it was too late. By then, Pacquiao had dispatched another challenger. By then, cries for Mayweather-Pacquiao began anew.
The fight began with a surreal premise: an African and a Filipino fighting in Texas, the birthplace of Top Rank Boxing and, fittingly, the Cowboys’ owner, Jerry Jones.
The fighters entered the ring to deafening noise and an electric atmosphere. Clottey danced. Pacquiao stalked into his corner, bowed, prayed, then climbed the ropes, smiling at the masses. He had spent the previous two hours watching N.B.A. basketball on television.
This being football country, the crowd swelled with N.F.L. players, ex-players, coaches, ex-coaches, and even owners. It included Jimmy Johnson, the retired coach, and Woody Johnson, the Jets’ owner, along with a bevy of former Cowboys: Deion Sanders, Roger Staubach, Troy Aikman and Barry Switzer.
The fight started slowly, the fighters feeling each other out. Early on, it was Clottey, the bigger, stronger fighter, who landed the bigger shots. But it was Pacquiao, the skilled technician, who appeared to win most of the early rounds, as Clottey treated each punch as precious, rarely to be thrown.
Clottey managed to slow the pace through the middle rounds, but Pacquiao continued to attack, landing combinations. Through six rounds, Pacquiao appeared ahead, with the outcome still very much in doubt.
Just before noon Saturday, Pacquiao and staff assembled for Mass at the exhibition center adjacent to their hotel. They sang hymns and said prayers and received communion, while fans snapped pictures with their cell phones. Pacquiao worshipped God, while hundreds worshipped him, a surreal yet peaceful moment to conclude a kumbaya-style camp.
The last two months, from training through fight week, unfolded in atypical serenity for Team Pacquiao. The fighter flew some 130 members of his entourage here on a private jet, then spent most nights inside his suite, playing poker and belting his favorite karaoke tunes.
Even Michael Koncz and Alex Ariza, the Pacquiao employees who engaged in a fistfight last training camp, teamed up so Koncz could win a staff weight-loss challenge worth $3,000.
“I’m starting to worry,” Freddie Roach, Pacquiao’s trainer, said half joking. “I’m going to start something, because this camp has gone too smoothly.”
Normally, Pacquiao thrives amid dysfunction. As the circus around him swelled, he won 11 straight fights, won seven titles in a record seven weight divisions and won the award for fighter of the decade. Roach earned his fourth trainer of the year award this year, another mark reached for the punishing pair.
Pacquiao appeared more entranced by Cowboys Stadium than by his opponent this week. This gleaming, palatial stadium with a scoreboard the size of a small town helped replace interest lost when Pacquiao’s negotiations with Floyd Mayweather Jr. fell apart over blood testing.
Boxing wanted to expand its fan base. Jerry Jones wanted to show off his latest toy, its price tag in excess of $1 billion. The fight featured three stars — Pacquiao, Jones and the one at midfield, underneath the ring.
Even with Joshua Clottey, a competent if relatively unknown welterweight, opposing Pacquiao, the bout still sold more than 50,000 tickets. When Clottey’s manager called his fighter with Pacquiao’s proposal, Clottey first asked if he was kidding.
Clottey entered this fight with 35 victories, and each of his three losses came against world champions, in close and sometimes controversial decisions. In those 38 fights, no boxer knocked Clottey down. No one even cut him.
“He isn’t going to be awed by the big stage,” the promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank Boxing predicted.
Roach felt different. The more tape he watched of Clottey, the more convinced he became: Clottey fought the same way every fight, predictable, with little movement, straight ahead. Roach believed Pacquiao would overwhelm Clottey with his speed, same as Pacquiao did to Miguel Cotto in his last fight.
Pacquiao would become the first boxer to knock Clottey onto the canvas, Roach insisted. Clottey replied, Only with voodoo, or black magic.
Other than that, and Roach’s ongoing but minor feud with Lenny DeJesus, a former Roach employee and Clottey’s replacement trainer here, fight week felt more like a peace summit than a boxing bout. Instead of trash talk, they traded compliments. Even at the weigh-in, Pacquiao wore a smile and, strangely, socks.
Source: nytimes.com
Sunday, 14 March 2010
Cowboys Stadium receives rave reviews from boxing experts -- Fort Worth Star-Telegram
By JAN HUBBARD, Fort Worth Star-Telegram
ARLINGTON -- The boxing glamour that radiates from Manny Pacquiao filled the huge landmark in Arlington on Saturday night, but again, the star of the show was none other than... Cowboys Stadium.
Boxing historian Bert Sugar said when he saw the stadium, he told the man responsible for building it that it was beyond something special.
"When I saw this," Sugar said, "I said to Jerry Jones, 'Just think what God could have done with this stadium if he'd had money.'"
Pacquiao brought star power to Arlington. He has been rated by many as pound-for-pound the best boxer in the world. He is a charismatic champion who is so popular that on Saturday night, each time he was shown on Jones' 160-foot-by-72-foot high definition screen during the undercard, cheers erupted throughout the stadium.
He was even cheered louder than former Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman.
But as much credibility as Pacquiao added to Cowboys Stadium by participating in the first night of boxing, the stadium also added to Pacquiao's stature.
"No doubt about it," said veteran ring announcer Michael Buffer, "because there is nothing else like it in the world."
Despite the enormity of the stadium, it didn't seem too big. It was hardly intimate, but a giant curtain was hung to hide seats in the upper deck, so the stadium -- which had a 45,000 seating capacity -- was filled with 50,944 fight fans, new and old.
And boxing experts said the atmosphere was so electric that it can't help but add to the stature of boxing.
"I was at the Alamodome in 1993 when Julio Cesar Chavez fought Pernell Whitaker and there were 65,000 people," said Lester Bedford, a former fight promoter who is an event promoter and worked on this fight with the Cowboys and Top Rank Inc. "But this is a richer scene. Boxing didn't need this at that time, but boxing does need it now.
"Anybody who comes here and watches this will leave here a boxing fan for life. This changes everything."
Buffer agreed.
"This is probably the most compelling venue for sports in the world," he said. "One driving reason is 25,000 square feet of hi-def video so you don't have a bad seat in the house.
"Going back 50 years, there were fights in Yankee Stadium and 50,000 people would go to see Sugar Ray Robinson or Joe Louis. And the reason everybody came is they wanted to be part of an event. They wanted to be part of that electricity.
"There was no way 50,000 people could see the fight from where they were sitting, but they wanted to say, 'I was there the night Joe Louis beat so-and-so.' But you can come here and have a standing room only seat in the end zone and you don't miss anything. And you get to be part of history."
Bedford said history was made inside and outside the stadium. The tailgaters were out in force six hours before the main event began and street vendors were also conducting an active business.
"There were people outside selling knockoff Pacquiao T-shirts," Bedford said. "You know you've made it when their selling knockoff T-shirts. Pacquaio had his security people checking it out. But everything about it was amazing. I've been to over 500 fights in my life and this is the first one where there has been tailgating. I'd love it if that started a trend.
jhubbard@star-telegram.com
Source: star-telegram.com
ARLINGTON -- The boxing glamour that radiates from Manny Pacquiao filled the huge landmark in Arlington on Saturday night, but again, the star of the show was none other than... Cowboys Stadium.
Boxing historian Bert Sugar said when he saw the stadium, he told the man responsible for building it that it was beyond something special.
"When I saw this," Sugar said, "I said to Jerry Jones, 'Just think what God could have done with this stadium if he'd had money.'"
Pacquiao brought star power to Arlington. He has been rated by many as pound-for-pound the best boxer in the world. He is a charismatic champion who is so popular that on Saturday night, each time he was shown on Jones' 160-foot-by-72-foot high definition screen during the undercard, cheers erupted throughout the stadium.
He was even cheered louder than former Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman.
But as much credibility as Pacquiao added to Cowboys Stadium by participating in the first night of boxing, the stadium also added to Pacquiao's stature.
"No doubt about it," said veteran ring announcer Michael Buffer, "because there is nothing else like it in the world."
Despite the enormity of the stadium, it didn't seem too big. It was hardly intimate, but a giant curtain was hung to hide seats in the upper deck, so the stadium -- which had a 45,000 seating capacity -- was filled with 50,944 fight fans, new and old.
And boxing experts said the atmosphere was so electric that it can't help but add to the stature of boxing.
"I was at the Alamodome in 1993 when Julio Cesar Chavez fought Pernell Whitaker and there were 65,000 people," said Lester Bedford, a former fight promoter who is an event promoter and worked on this fight with the Cowboys and Top Rank Inc. "But this is a richer scene. Boxing didn't need this at that time, but boxing does need it now.
"Anybody who comes here and watches this will leave here a boxing fan for life. This changes everything."
Buffer agreed.
"This is probably the most compelling venue for sports in the world," he said. "One driving reason is 25,000 square feet of hi-def video so you don't have a bad seat in the house.
"Going back 50 years, there were fights in Yankee Stadium and 50,000 people would go to see Sugar Ray Robinson or Joe Louis. And the reason everybody came is they wanted to be part of an event. They wanted to be part of that electricity.
"There was no way 50,000 people could see the fight from where they were sitting, but they wanted to say, 'I was there the night Joe Louis beat so-and-so.' But you can come here and have a standing room only seat in the end zone and you don't miss anything. And you get to be part of history."
Bedford said history was made inside and outside the stadium. The tailgaters were out in force six hours before the main event began and street vendors were also conducting an active business.
"There were people outside selling knockoff Pacquiao T-shirts," Bedford said. "You know you've made it when their selling knockoff T-shirts. Pacquaio had his security people checking it out. But everything about it was amazing. I've been to over 500 fights in my life and this is the first one where there has been tailgating. I'd love it if that started a trend.
jhubbard@star-telegram.com
Source: star-telegram.com
Pacquiao dominates Clottey to decision -- The Ring
The Ring
ARLINGTON, Texas -- Manny Pacquiao defended his welterweight title with a unanimous decision over Joshua Clottey in front of 50,994 fans inside Cowboys Stadium on Saturday.
Pacquiao (51-3-2, 38 knockouts), who won by scores of 120-108 and 119-109 (twice), was simply too active for Clottey, who was put into a defensive shell for most of the fight.
He made it look easy but he said it was more difficult than it appeared.
"It was not an easy fight, it was hard. He's a hard fighter," Pacquiao said after the fight. "I felt his power. He is very strong."
Clottey (35-4, 21 KOs) was humble in defeat.
"I can tell you, this is the first time I lost a fight," the Ghanaian contender said afterward. "All my other losses, I never thought I lost. But this time, I lost."
Now the boxing world turns it's eyes to the May 1 Shane Mosley-Floyd Mayweather welterweight showdown.
Pacquiao said he is willing to fight the winner, but he and trainer Freddie Roach were clear that they would not back of their stance on Mayweather's drug testing stipulations, which was the impasse that dashed their all-but-made bout earlier in the year.
Full on-site post-fight columns from Doug Fischer and Michael Rosenthal will be posted soon.
Source: ringtv.com
ARLINGTON, Texas -- Manny Pacquiao defended his welterweight title with a unanimous decision over Joshua Clottey in front of 50,994 fans inside Cowboys Stadium on Saturday.
Pacquiao (51-3-2, 38 knockouts), who won by scores of 120-108 and 119-109 (twice), was simply too active for Clottey, who was put into a defensive shell for most of the fight.
He made it look easy but he said it was more difficult than it appeared.
"It was not an easy fight, it was hard. He's a hard fighter," Pacquiao said after the fight. "I felt his power. He is very strong."
Clottey (35-4, 21 KOs) was humble in defeat.
"I can tell you, this is the first time I lost a fight," the Ghanaian contender said afterward. "All my other losses, I never thought I lost. But this time, I lost."
Now the boxing world turns it's eyes to the May 1 Shane Mosley-Floyd Mayweather welterweight showdown.
Pacquiao said he is willing to fight the winner, but he and trainer Freddie Roach were clear that they would not back of their stance on Mayweather's drug testing stipulations, which was the impasse that dashed their all-but-made bout earlier in the year.
Full on-site post-fight columns from Doug Fischer and Michael Rosenthal will be posted soon.
Source: ringtv.com
In Cowboys Stadium's big-time boxing debut, Manny Pacquiao steals show -- Fort Worth Star-Telegram
By GIL LeBRETON, Fort Worth Star-Telegram
ARLINGTON -- Say this for Manny Pacquiao: He can really work a room.
Even a room, as it turns out, with a six-figure monthly light bill.
For challenger Joshua Clottey, the odds were long and his opportunities were destined to be tellingly slim.
With the partisan roar of 50,994 ringing in his ears, Pacquiao took advantage of all of that Saturday night. On opening night for big-time boxing at the Cowboys Stadium, he stole the show.
Clottey came armed with size and a dream. But in the end, he probably took no better than No. 3 billing on this historic night for boxing in North Texas.
The second-biggest story had to be the venue, a cozy little room with 72-foot TV screens and seemingly about 50,000 of Manny's closest friends.
The giant video board, so applauded by the football crowds, was a much-needed crutch Saturday night.
True, there was atmosphere aplenty. We'll even excuse the interlude during an undercard bout when the crowd started doing The Wave.
There's no Wave in boxing, people. Some occasional bleeding, maybe, but no Wave.
For so many seated on the stadium floor, however, the boxing ring itself seemed like a thin and distant object. The giant video board was hard to see, if you were seated in the shadow of it.
But for sheer panorama and I-was-there value, Jerry Jones' house of punches delivered as promised.
The main event began with the playing of three anthems -- Clottey's native Ghana, the stirring Philippine of Pacquiao's homeland, and the Star-Spangled Banner, sung by three Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders in complete skimpy uniform while standing in front of a Marine Color Guard in full-dress uniform. Only in boxing.
Pacquiao entered the ring with his handlers bearing belts. He has a wide collection of them, he was reminding us and Clottey.
Clottey, on the other hand, came dressed sorta like Santa Claus. Red robe, no white beard.
The first punch finally was thrown at 10:48 p.m., Sunday afternoon in the Philippines.
Clottey's strategy, or lack thereof, was apparent quickly. He wears his gloves at his cheeks, a veritable leather helmet. Pacquiao had the will, but struggled to find a way to reach inside.
With chants of "Manny, Manny" in the air, Pacquiao was able to land enough punches to easily win what was an otherwise lackluster first round.
In the second, Clottey finally mustered the will to use his longer reach. But Pacquiao continued to deliver the majority of punches. The same happened in round No. 3, as Pacquiao overcame a left-right combination by Clottey and finished strongly.
Clottey's plan of survival wasn't earning him many fans, including Pacquiao, it seemed. Frustrated by seeing Clottey peek from between his gloves, Manny delivered a quick, two-handed slap to both of his opponent's ears -- boxing his ears, as it were.
It drew a warning from the referee, as did a low blow by Pacquiao in the eighth.
But he continued to force the action, press the issue and steal the show.
Finally, in the fifth round Clottey seemed intent on making something happen. His long right snapped Manny back briefly, but he quickly went back on the defense.
Close rounds followed, as Pacquiao's frustration seemed to mount. But he was clearly ahead on this night.
The elephant not in the room, of course, was the guy who could have been in the ring with Pacquiao, had $25 million been deemed enough. The dream fight of Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. will have to wait for another day, if not another location.
Gil LeBreton, 817-390-7760
glebreton@star-telegram.com
Source: star-telegram.com
ARLINGTON -- Say this for Manny Pacquiao: He can really work a room.
Even a room, as it turns out, with a six-figure monthly light bill.
For challenger Joshua Clottey, the odds were long and his opportunities were destined to be tellingly slim.
With the partisan roar of 50,994 ringing in his ears, Pacquiao took advantage of all of that Saturday night. On opening night for big-time boxing at the Cowboys Stadium, he stole the show.
Clottey came armed with size and a dream. But in the end, he probably took no better than No. 3 billing on this historic night for boxing in North Texas.
The second-biggest story had to be the venue, a cozy little room with 72-foot TV screens and seemingly about 50,000 of Manny's closest friends.
The giant video board, so applauded by the football crowds, was a much-needed crutch Saturday night.
True, there was atmosphere aplenty. We'll even excuse the interlude during an undercard bout when the crowd started doing The Wave.
There's no Wave in boxing, people. Some occasional bleeding, maybe, but no Wave.
For so many seated on the stadium floor, however, the boxing ring itself seemed like a thin and distant object. The giant video board was hard to see, if you were seated in the shadow of it.
But for sheer panorama and I-was-there value, Jerry Jones' house of punches delivered as promised.
The main event began with the playing of three anthems -- Clottey's native Ghana, the stirring Philippine of Pacquiao's homeland, and the Star-Spangled Banner, sung by three Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders in complete skimpy uniform while standing in front of a Marine Color Guard in full-dress uniform. Only in boxing.
Pacquiao entered the ring with his handlers bearing belts. He has a wide collection of them, he was reminding us and Clottey.
Clottey, on the other hand, came dressed sorta like Santa Claus. Red robe, no white beard.
The first punch finally was thrown at 10:48 p.m., Sunday afternoon in the Philippines.
Clottey's strategy, or lack thereof, was apparent quickly. He wears his gloves at his cheeks, a veritable leather helmet. Pacquiao had the will, but struggled to find a way to reach inside.
With chants of "Manny, Manny" in the air, Pacquiao was able to land enough punches to easily win what was an otherwise lackluster first round.
In the second, Clottey finally mustered the will to use his longer reach. But Pacquiao continued to deliver the majority of punches. The same happened in round No. 3, as Pacquiao overcame a left-right combination by Clottey and finished strongly.
Clottey's plan of survival wasn't earning him many fans, including Pacquiao, it seemed. Frustrated by seeing Clottey peek from between his gloves, Manny delivered a quick, two-handed slap to both of his opponent's ears -- boxing his ears, as it were.
It drew a warning from the referee, as did a low blow by Pacquiao in the eighth.
But he continued to force the action, press the issue and steal the show.
Finally, in the fifth round Clottey seemed intent on making something happen. His long right snapped Manny back briefly, but he quickly went back on the defense.
Close rounds followed, as Pacquiao's frustration seemed to mount. But he was clearly ahead on this night.
The elephant not in the room, of course, was the guy who could have been in the ring with Pacquiao, had $25 million been deemed enough. The dream fight of Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. will have to wait for another day, if not another location.
Gil LeBreton, 817-390-7760
glebreton@star-telegram.com
Source: star-telegram.com
Pacquiao garners unanimous decision vs. Clottey -- Fort Worth Star-Telegram
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
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
Pacquiao dominates Clottey in front of 50,994 -- Yahoo! Sports
By Kevin Iole, Yahoo! Sports
ARLINGTON, Texas – Joshua Clottey may have been bigger, but that was his only edge on Saturday night. Manny Pacquiao clearly outworked Clottey, outpunching him four, five and even six to one at times in winning a wide decision before a standing room-only crowd of 50,994 at Cowboys Stadium.
Pacquiao punished Clottey with combinations to the body throughout in winning the unanimous decision to retain his World Boxing Organization welterweight title and his status as the world’s finest boxer.
It was no contest as Clottey simply kept his guard high and rarely threw punches. According to CompuBox, Pacquiao landed 246 of 1,231 punches; Clottey connected on just 108 of 399.
Pacquiao took advantage by using his blazing hand speed to rip through Clottey’s gloves and land hard, punishing shots.
He made the former champion wince several times as he fired off hard combinations at Clottey’s midsection.
Despite the exhortations in the corner of trainer Lenny DeJesus, Clottey never opened up and fought aggressively. He was backed up all night and, except for an occasional shot, never did much to Pacquiao.
It was another virtuoso performance for the Filipino superstar who has won titles or has claimed the linear championship in seven different weight classes. Pacquiao is on a collision course with unbeaten rival Floyd Mayweather Jr., who fights Shane Mosley on May 1.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
ARLINGTON, Texas – Joshua Clottey may have been bigger, but that was his only edge on Saturday night. Manny Pacquiao clearly outworked Clottey, outpunching him four, five and even six to one at times in winning a wide decision before a standing room-only crowd of 50,994 at Cowboys Stadium.
Pacquiao punished Clottey with combinations to the body throughout in winning the unanimous decision to retain his World Boxing Organization welterweight title and his status as the world’s finest boxer.
It was no contest as Clottey simply kept his guard high and rarely threw punches. According to CompuBox, Pacquiao landed 246 of 1,231 punches; Clottey connected on just 108 of 399.
Pacquiao took advantage by using his blazing hand speed to rip through Clottey’s gloves and land hard, punishing shots.
He made the former champion wince several times as he fired off hard combinations at Clottey’s midsection.
Despite the exhortations in the corner of trainer Lenny DeJesus, Clottey never opened up and fought aggressively. He was backed up all night and, except for an occasional shot, never did much to Pacquiao.
It was another virtuoso performance for the Filipino superstar who has won titles or has claimed the linear championship in seven different weight classes. Pacquiao is on a collision course with unbeaten rival Floyd Mayweather Jr., who fights Shane Mosley on May 1.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
Manny Pacquiao easily dominates Joshua Clottey over 12 -- Bad Left Hook
Bad Left Hook
Joshua Clottey said he'd be aggressive.
Joshua Clottey lied.
Manny Pacquiao (51-3-2, 38 KO) easily won a unanimous decision against a tentative, scared Clottey (35-4, 20 KO) on scores of 120-108, 119-109, 119-109. Bad Left Hook scored it 119-109 for Pacquiao.
Clottey just did not come to win this fight. In the second (the only round we gave Clottey), it looked like maybe it would be a fight. But it was not. Pacquiao landed 246/1231 (20%, to Clottey's 108/399 (27%). The fight was not even remotely close. Not even close. Miguel Cotto put up far more of a fight than did Clottey, who gave the fight away. Period. He gave the fight away.
Pacquiao now moves on to hopefully face the winner of the May 1 fight between Shane Mosley and Floyd Mayweather Jr., because there's little else left without another crazy move up in weight. Clottey was no challenge whatsoever for Pacquiao, who smiled, tapped gloves, and hugged his way through a genuinely easy contest. Clottey was begged by his corner to go for the KO, but never did. Not even once.
We'll have more in the next couple of days, but for now, all we have is Manny Pacquiao again dominating a fight. Clottey offered no resistance for Pacquiao, and all they did was smile at each other. Hooray!
Source: badlefthook.com
***
Joshua Clottey said he'd be aggressive.
Joshua Clottey lied.
Manny Pacquiao (51-3-2, 38 KO) easily won a unanimous decision against a tentative, scared Clottey (35-4, 20 KO) on scores of 120-108, 119-109, 119-109. Bad Left Hook scored it 119-109 for Pacquiao.
Clottey just did not come to win this fight. In the second (the only round we gave Clottey), it looked like maybe it would be a fight. But it was not. Pacquiao landed 246/1231 (20%, to Clottey's 108/399 (27%). The fight was not even remotely close. Not even close. Miguel Cotto put up far more of a fight than did Clottey, who gave the fight away. Period. He gave the fight away.
Pacquiao now moves on to hopefully face the winner of the May 1 fight between Shane Mosley and Floyd Mayweather Jr., because there's little else left without another crazy move up in weight. Clottey was no challenge whatsoever for Pacquiao, who smiled, tapped gloves, and hugged his way through a genuinely easy contest. Clottey was begged by his corner to go for the KO, but never did. Not even once.
We'll have more in the next couple of days, but for now, all we have is Manny Pacquiao again dominating a fight. Clottey offered no resistance for Pacquiao, and all they did was smile at each other. Hooray!
Source: badlefthook.com
***
Pacquiao wins unanimous decision over Clottey -- San Jose Mercury News
By TIM DAHLBERG, AP Boxing Writer
ARLINGTON, Texas—Manny Pacquiao has won a unanimous decision over Joshua Clottey in their welterweight fight, keeping up his reputation as the world's best pound-for-pound fighter.
Pacquiao (51-3-2, 38 KOs) controlled the fight from the start, throwing mostly body shots because Clottey locked his arms in front of his face. Pacquaio never slowed throwing punches and Clottey (35-4) never got very aggressive. Neither fighter went down.
Two judges scored it 119-109, the other 120-108.
Pacquaio was beloved by the crowd of 50,994 at Cowboys Stadium. There were cheers of "Man-ny! Man-ny!" nearly every round.
Next up for Pacquiao is an election for Congress in his native Philippines. He's also hoping for a megafight against Floyd Mayweather Jr., presuming Mayweather beats Shane Mosley on May 1.
Clottey lost his second straight fight.
Source: mercurynews.com
***
ARLINGTON, Texas—Manny Pacquiao has won a unanimous decision over Joshua Clottey in their welterweight fight, keeping up his reputation as the world's best pound-for-pound fighter.
Pacquiao (51-3-2, 38 KOs) controlled the fight from the start, throwing mostly body shots because Clottey locked his arms in front of his face. Pacquaio never slowed throwing punches and Clottey (35-4) never got very aggressive. Neither fighter went down.
Two judges scored it 119-109, the other 120-108.
Pacquaio was beloved by the crowd of 50,994 at Cowboys Stadium. There were cheers of "Man-ny! Man-ny!" nearly every round.
Next up for Pacquiao is an election for Congress in his native Philippines. He's also hoping for a megafight against Floyd Mayweather Jr., presuming Mayweather beats Shane Mosley on May 1.
Clottey lost his second straight fight.
Source: mercurynews.com
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Manny Pacquiao Beats Joshua Clottey in Dominant Decision -- FanHouse
By Michael David Smith, FanHouse
Cementing his status as the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world with another one-sided victory, Manny Pacquiao defeated Joshua Clottey Saturday night in Dallas.
Pacquiao retained his WBO welterweight championship in a fight that was, at times, rather dull. Clottey focused so much on covering up and defending himself that he never mounted any type of offensive attack. It was yet another decisive win for Pacquiao, who has strung together a series of decisive wins as he's risen up to the top of the boxing world over the last four years.
The judges scored it 120-108, 119-109 and 119-109 for Pacquiao. On my scorecard it was 120-108 for Pacquiao.
"It was not an easy fight," Pacquiao said afterward. "It was hard. He's a very tough fighter. I can't believe it."
Pacquiao might not have felt it was easy, but it sure looked easy. The question now is whether Pacquiao, who improved his record to 51-3-2, will finally get together with Floyd Mayweather Jr. and give boxing fans around the world the fight they want to see. Clottey, who fell to 35-4, simply isn't a good enough opponent to fight the best in the world.
Source: boxing.fanhouse.com
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Cementing his status as the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world with another one-sided victory, Manny Pacquiao defeated Joshua Clottey Saturday night in Dallas.
Pacquiao retained his WBO welterweight championship in a fight that was, at times, rather dull. Clottey focused so much on covering up and defending himself that he never mounted any type of offensive attack. It was yet another decisive win for Pacquiao, who has strung together a series of decisive wins as he's risen up to the top of the boxing world over the last four years.
The judges scored it 120-108, 119-109 and 119-109 for Pacquiao. On my scorecard it was 120-108 for Pacquiao.
"It was not an easy fight," Pacquiao said afterward. "It was hard. He's a very tough fighter. I can't believe it."
Pacquiao might not have felt it was easy, but it sure looked easy. The question now is whether Pacquiao, who improved his record to 51-3-2, will finally get together with Floyd Mayweather Jr. and give boxing fans around the world the fight they want to see. Clottey, who fell to 35-4, simply isn't a good enough opponent to fight the best in the world.
Source: boxing.fanhouse.com
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Manny Pacquiao shuts out Joshua Clottey in WBO welter defence -- Telegraph
By Gareth A Davies, Telegraph.co.uk
So Manny Pacquiao is human after all. Or at least he was not able to stop Ghanaian Joshua Clottey in front of 50,994 spectators, who filed into the Dallas Cowboys Stadium to enjoy the spectacle of his defence of the WBO welterweight title.
This was a shutout victory for Pacquiao in front of the third highest number of fans ever to attend a fight in the United States. It was a shutout from first to last. Clottey, tough man than he is, simply did not throw enough punches. You cannot win a fight, if you do not fight.
Pacquiao won 120-108, 119-109 and 119-109 on the judges’ cards.
“It was not an easy fight, but I can’t believe it. I intended to start with a lot of jabs.
The Mayweather clan will have been watching Pacquaio’s latest testament to prize-fighting’s wealthy and complex tapestry. Roll on Mayweather-Mosley. Pacquiao must fight the winner,.
Source: blogs.telegraph.co.uk
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So Manny Pacquiao is human after all. Or at least he was not able to stop Ghanaian Joshua Clottey in front of 50,994 spectators, who filed into the Dallas Cowboys Stadium to enjoy the spectacle of his defence of the WBO welterweight title.
This was a shutout victory for Pacquiao in front of the third highest number of fans ever to attend a fight in the United States. It was a shutout from first to last. Clottey, tough man than he is, simply did not throw enough punches. You cannot win a fight, if you do not fight.
Pacquiao won 120-108, 119-109 and 119-109 on the judges’ cards.
“It was not an easy fight, but I can’t believe it. I intended to start with a lot of jabs.
The Mayweather clan will have been watching Pacquaio’s latest testament to prize-fighting’s wealthy and complex tapestry. Roll on Mayweather-Mosley. Pacquiao must fight the winner,.
Source: blogs.telegraph.co.uk
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