Manny going for knockout versus Clottey

By Roy Luarca
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 00:32:00 01/12/2010

A FIFTH STRAIGHT KNOCKOUT.

That will be Manny Pacquiao’s target when he stakes his World Boxing Organization welterweight title against Joshua Clottey on March 13 at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Master trainer Freddie Roach, who has accurately predicted Pacquiao’s stoppages of David Diaz, Oscar De La hoya, Ricky Hatton and Miguel Cotto in succession, told Fighthype.com Monday that they want to put Clottey away inside the distance.

“I think we’re going to get him (Clottey) in 12 easily, but he’s definitely a tough guy to knock out,” said Roach. “That’s our goal, to knock him out and be the first one to do that (against Clottey).”

The 32-year-old Clottey, who narrowly lost to Cotto via a controversial decision last June, has never been knocked out in compiling a 35-3 record, with 20 KOs.

“It’s a hard fight, of course, because he’s a true welterweight and a big, strong kid, so Pacquiao is going to have to really fight smart with his speed,” added Roach, who thinks Clottey will offer a better fight than World Boxing Association super welterweight (154 lb) titlist Yuri Foreman.

According to Roach, Pacquiao needs to box, in and out, side to side, and be very tactical because Clottey is a strong, big puncher with an iron chin.

Roach also bared that there will be no catch weight with Pacquiao now comfortable at 147 lb. Pacquiao dethroned Cotto at 145 last November.

“When Manny’s eating on the day of the weigh-in and gets to eat twice before the weigh-in, he’s happy,” said Roach. “That’s when he performs at his best, when he’s smiling and in a good mood.”

Despite Pacquiao’s perceived advantages over Clottey, Roach isn’t about to get complacent.

This early, the Hall of Fame trainer has enlisted the services of 154 and 160-pounders to spar with Pacquiao when the pound-for-pound king begins training at Roach’s Wild Card Gym in Hollywood.

On the list are German Felix Sturm, the WBA middleweight champion, and Mexican Roberto Garcia, who fights at 154 and boasts a 29-2 record.

Briton Amir Khan will also be coming in to provide speed in sparring, said Roach, adding that a 160 lb champion from Ukraine is also offering his services.

Pacquiao plans to leave for Los Angeles on Jan. 17.

Source: sports.inquirer.net