Ghana: Boxer Joshua Dares Pacquiao

by Obed Boafo

After benefiting from a last minute botched world classic fight between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, Ghana's Joshua Clottey says he is all ready for a showdown with the world's best pound for pound boxer, Manny Pacquiao.

In an exclusive interview with The Mail, the Bukom-born fighter says he is ever ready to upstage the Filipino in the March 13th welterweight bout at the newly constructed $1.2 billion Cowboy Stadium in Dallas, USA.

"People have started doubting if I am ready for this deadly fighter but I keep telling them if he is good, I am better. If Pacquiao beats me, it won't be news but if I beat him, the whole world's attention would be on me.

For a young boxer, this is one of the very few chances you get and a win against Pacman is like asking for little and getting enough. I have prayed for this opportunity and today here I am against the people's favourite. I will use him to get the fame and attention I deserve. A win is all I know now and it won't change anytime soon. March 13th is my time with destiny and somebody like Pacman can't stand in my way", he said.

The fight which was finalized after contentious negotiations for a mega fight with Mayweather fell apart over a dispute on blood testing, would travel some twelve rounds and this excites Clottey the more. "Everybody knows I am a good fighter and I travel all the rounds in any fight. So this is no news. Yes, he is a great fighter but on this day, the difference between a great fighter and an underdog, won't make any difference. Dallas should expect a good fight come March 13th".

Clottey was full of praise for his mangers for sealing this deal, one that he least expected. But as the days draw closer, it no more becomes a dream and he believes a Joshua-Pacquiao bout should be a sell-out. "Manny Pacquiao is boxing's number one pound-for-pound attraction. Defending his title against me is not just a great event, it's a great fight, and we can showcase that to the fullest. We're going to rock on March 13th like it was the Super Bowl".

He was against the opinion that a fight against Pacquiao was his license to death and a short end to a career that he has steadily built over the years. "I have heard suggestions about why I want to fight somebody no one dares to challenge in the ring but all those who suffered defeats in the hands of Pacquiao had their own problems.

If you are to ask Pacman today, if he thinks I am a cheap nut that can be cracked just like that, the answer would be a big no because he also knows the stuff I am made off. As for fears, my fans can entertain but if you come from that part of Africa where you are taught to embrace challenges even when it looks suicidal then a date with Pacquiao shouldn't be a hard nut to crack.I am ready, bring it on".
Clottey has a 35-3 record with 20 knockouts. He claimed the International Boxing Federation (IBF) welterweight title in 2008 by defeating American Zab Judah but lost a split decision to Puerto Rican Cotto last June.

He rose to prominence by winning his first twenty fights, including 14 by way of knockout. His performance set him up to fight Carlos Baldomir, in a title defense by Baldomir for the WBC International Welterweight Title and lost by disqualification in a controversial fight

He then rolled off a 10 fight winning streak which was highlighted by his first win on American soil and the capturing of several minor welterweight and middleweight titles culminating in an IBF Intercontinental welterweight title.

On December 2, 2006, Clottey earned his first shot at a world title but broke his hand in the fourth round of his fight against World Boxing Organization champion Antonio Margarito. He ended up losing a closer than expected unanimous decision, but had demonstrated his abilities against a good opponent. On April 7, 2007, Clottey earned a unanimous decision over Diego Corrales, in what was Corrales' final fight prior to his death.

In December 2007, Clottey positioned himself for another title shot with a win over prospect Shamone Alvarez. Clottey beat Zab Judah on August 2, 2008, for the IBF Welterweight title that had been vacated by Antonio Margarito.

He has never lost via a knock out. His 3 losses were: (1) a DQ loss from Carlos Baldomir, (2) Unanimous Decision loss to Antonio Margarito and a (3) Split Decision loss.

His opponent, Emmanuel Dapidran Pacquiao is currently the WBO World welterweight champion, IBO light welterweight champion, and is rated as the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world.

He is also the former WBC World lightweight champion, WBC World super featherweight champion, IBF World super bantamweight champion, and WBC World flyweight champion. Furthermore, he is the former featherweight and super featherweight champion.

The Filipino boxing superstar is the first boxer to win seven world titles in seven different weight divisions. In addition, he is the only boxer to win the lineal championship ("the man who beat the man") in four different weight classes. Aside from being a boxer, Pacquiao has participated in politics, acting, filmmaking, and music recording and well revered in his home country, the Philippines.

A date with Joshua became possible after his lined up opponent, Floyd Mayweather insisted on a blood test before their originally scheduled date of March 13th, 2010. His mangers took offence to Mayweather's suggestion saying they were accusing Pacquiao of using performance enhancement drugs.

Source: allafrica.com