Pacquiao challenger Clottey seeks warmer climes

Boxing Examiner | Michael Marley

Manager Vinny Scolpino informed me Thursday that his top-rated WBO welterweight challenger will escape the forsty climes of the New York area to launch serious training for his March 13 Dallas title bout against Manny Pacquiao.

Scolpino huddled on Wednesday with Bronx resident Clottey who had just gotten off a long plane flight back from homeland Ghana. Clottey enjoyed a lengthy holiday break and was surprised and happy when his manager relayed the good news that he would get the big money shot against Pacman.

“We’re probably going out to either Las Vegas or South Florida,” Scolpino said. “Joshua wants to be somewhere warmer than New York.”

Temperatures in the Big Apple have been running in the 30s and 20s recently.

As far as a head trainer for Clottey, Scolpino said that the fighter is importing one from Ghana.

“Joshua has a guy who I think used to work with Azumah Nelson,” he said.

Nelson, of course, is Ghana’s greatest boxing hero, a Hall Of Famer and the epitome of a classy sportsman.

Nelson used to call himself “Professor” and would tell an opponent “you will be my student in the ring.”

The press conference to kickoff the promotion is at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington on Tuesday with an NYC press set for Madison Square Garden Wednesday.

Clottey lost a close decision to Miguel Cotto in the Garden ring last June while Pacman battered Cotto in Las Vegas in November.

Source: Examiner.com