Manny Pacquiao: From Famous to Infamous In One Fell Swoop

by Lorne Scoggins

It is an undeniable fact that Manny Pacquiao is the biggest name in boxing. Love him or hate him, who can justifiably deny that particular statement?

His record of 50-3-2 with 38 knockouts is more than just a testament of victories over mediocre, cherry-picked opposition. The little big man from the Philippines has faced the best.

The losses and draws that appear on his record only serve as further evidence to support the fact.

Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. has a record of 41-0 with 30 knockouts, but who is he, and who has he fought? Hey, he’s one up on Floyd Mayweather Jr. and has a higher KO percentage.

Am I saying Chavez Jr. is as good as Mayweather? Of course not, but I think you get my point.

An undefeated record doesn’t make a fighter the greatest thing to ever step between the ropes.

In contrast, Pacquiao has taken on all comers.

He has convincingly KOd future hall of famers— Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera, Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, and Miguel Cotto.

Many great fighters have been felled or outclassed by his relentless, non-stop ring brutality.

He was knocking out the toughest available adversaries in early rounds long before the world ever heard his name.

His reputation as one of the great gentlemen of sport has rivaled the likes of Sugar Ray Leonard and George Foreman.

He becomes friends with his opponents during the press tours. He smiles during the promotional stare-downs.

Recent photos of him squaring off with Joshua Clottey show Clottey smiling back. Clottey recently stated that he likes Manny and that he’s his favorite boxer.

Manny Pacquiao’s legacy was sealed as one of the greatest sportsmen and best fighters in the history of boxing.

Enter Floyd Mayweather Jr. and the PED accusations.

Reputations are fragile. Words can easily destroy them.

Legacies can be brought down buy any hint, insinuation, allegation, or accusation of foul play.

I don’t think Floyd Mayweather Jr. ever wanted to fight Manny Pacquiao. (That’s speculation.)

Mayweather has exhibited behavior that has an extremely strong semblance of insane jealousy. (That’s a fact.)

What would the self proclaimed “greatest fighter ever” have to be jealous about?

Maybe it was Pacquiao’s accomplishments and favorable public profile. Maybe he’s a little envious of that pound for pound title—the title that used to be his.

So did Mayweather really set out to destroy Pacquiao’s good guy persona? Was he determined to discredit all of his accomplishments in the sport? Or was he really just trying to ensure a “level playing field”.

Could it be all of the above?

Regardless of intent, the allegations have been made, and to many this means there is a cloud of doubt hanging over Pacquiao’s achievements.

Boxing writer, George Kimball recently compared the situation to a particular exchange that occurred between former House Representative, Richard Kleberg and his young congressional aide, and future president, Lyndon B Johnson.

Upon facing a rival politician while running for re-election, Kleberg was desperate to come up with a strategy to discredit his rival.

He suggested that they start a rumor that his opponent often engaged in bestiality.

Johnson told Kleberg that they both knew that wasn’t true.

“Yeah,” replied the congressman, “but watch what happens when the [%*&] has to stand up and deny it!”

Mayweather has engaged in similar, dispicible tactics and although there is absolutely no evidence that Pacquiao is a cheat; the allegations linger in the minds of many fans.

Even in the midst of the promotions for his fight with Clottey, Pacquiao has to deal with constant questioning from the media.

What will become of the legacy of Manny Pacquiao? Will all of this finally just blow over?

Not a chance.

If Pacquiao defeats Clottey, boxing fans will once again be screaming that familiar chant—“We want Floyd! We want Floyd…”

Pacquiao has stated that he still wants to fight Mayweather.

When new negotiations begin, the same old arguments concerning random blood testing and cut-off dates will begin anew.

Pacquiao is a man of principle and pride. He doesn’t want to obey Mayweather’s commands and that’s completely understandable.

After all, Olympic style drug testing is completely outside the realm of what fight negotiations have ever consisted of in the past.

However, the proposal has been made and it’s going away.

People can say what they want about the potential matchup.

“It’s overhyped”; “it would be a boring fight”, etc.

The fact remains that boxing fans will continue to cry out for a contest between the top two pound for pound fighters on the planet—and rightfully so.

For the sake of the legacies of both fighters and for the good of the sport, this fight needs to happen.

I believe that Manny Pacquiao is innocent of using PEDs. I also believe that he is under absolutely no obligation as a boxer or as a human being to subject himself to anything that he chooses not to.

However, there comes times when a man has to weigh things in the balances and make a decision based on the lesser evil.

Let’s be honest. What is the most logical solution to this dilemma?

Should Manny allow his record to remain so thoroughly tarnished, or should he take some random tests with a reasonable cut-off date?

Let’s hope that the fight can be made some time in the future. Due to the tremendous public demand, I tend to believe that it will.

If and when it’s made, I don’t think Manny will be smiling during the promotional stare-down, and I don’t think Floyd will be smiling at the end of the fight.

Source: bleacherreport.com

No U.S. visa: Clottey coaches denied for Dallas

Houston Boxing Examiner | Marv Dumon

Pacquiao vs. Clottey
No visa for Clottey coach

Two trainers for Manny Pacquiao's upcoming opponent, Ghana's Joshua Clottey, have been denied visas by the U.S. State Department. Godwin Dzanie Kotey and Daniel Clottey, key members of Team Clottey, may have trouble joining their fighter in Dallas for their March 13th date at the Dallas Cowboys stadium, according to East Side Boxing.

Kotey and Clottey serve as coach and assistant for the 35-3 welterweight. US authorities in Ghana are balking at visa approval for both trainers after their visas expired in fall 2009.

eam Clottey's visa situation underscores the importance of early administrative planning for non-U.S. boxers, especially given the nation's heightened security measures. Various U.S. agencies elevated their risk-related protocols following the attempted bombing of a U.S. airliner in December 2009. Visa applications can undergo a lengthy bureaucratic, and often whimsical, process.

n 2009, Manny Pacquiao was forced to train in the Philippines for his fight against Miguel Cotto due to a lack of planning by his advisors regarding U.S. tax rules and stay requirements. Millions of dollars in additional tax liabilities would have been imposed had the Filipino fighter overstayed in the U.S.

The visa situation will cost welterweight Joshua Clottey a few days of precious training. He is returning to his native Ghana over the weekend in the hopes of securing approval from local officials. A fighter's job is in the ring. Not in solving administrative tasks.

Source: Examiner.com

Clottey looks to put his name on the mainstream map

Mississippi Fight Sports Examiner | Brad Cooney

Big Joshua Clottey is about to get the biggest fight of his life once he steps foot inside of the ring, and faces Manny Pacquiao. The scheduled March 13th bout is billed for Dallas, TX and will take place at the new Dallas Cowboy Stadium.

Clottey outside of the boxing world is an unheard of name. Unlike Pacquiao, Clottey has yet to have put himself on the map with the mainstream. A victory over Pacquiao would certainly put him on the map, in a big way. The hardcore fans do know who Joshua Clottey is, but the non involved boxing guy doesn't really know a lot about him.

I asked several people in the local Jackson, MS sports bars if they ever heard of Joshua Clottey. Out of five people, just one knew who he was. I have been touring Jackson's sports bar scene, and have gotten thoughts of the fans for the past week or so. I went into the Sportsman's lodge this weekend, and spoke with the fans about Joshua Clottey. As expected just about nobody knew of him, " Joshua who?" asked Richard Jenson, " I never heard of the guy. Who has he fought?" When informed that he fought Zab Judah, Chico Corrales, and Miguel Cotto, Jensen still couldn't recall, "I heard of all of those guys, but never heard of Joshua Clottey."

A victory, although unlikely, over Pacquiao would certainly put Clottey on a larger map. A victory over Manny Pacquiao is a tall order though. Pacquiao's blinding speed, and his cannon punches are sure to be felt on March 13th. Clottey, with a victory, would go to a new level.

Clottey, born in Ghana, and he knows all too well the importance of this fight. He knows that if he can pull off an upset and defeat the great Manny Pacquiao, his life will have forever changed. He is a hard working fighter, he is not a trash talker, he just shows up and fights. You can't ask for a better person to have deserved an opportunity like this.

Pacquiao "vs" Clottey once again matches up power and speed. Pacquiao has proven time and time again that he isn't afraid of the big fellas. It's Clottey's turn now, so we will see what he can do this coming March!

Source: Examiner.com

Clottey: "Pacquiao Fight Gets Bigger In Ghana"

Former IBF welterweight champion Joshua Clottey talks about Ghana's huge interest in his upcoming boxing match with Manny Pacquiao on March 13 at the Dallas Cowboy Stadium in Texas.

"I always want to fight the best out there. And now I'm fighting Manny Pacquiao" said Joshua Clottey in a recent interview with Hardcore Sports Radio.
There was a time when the hard hitter from Ghana couldn't get good fights because most fighters in his division were avoiding him. It seems that his hard work over the years is paying off. Now, he gets to engage with two great welterweight boxers in Cotto and Pacquiao within a span of one year.

Most boxing fans have treated Pacquiao-Clottey encounter as a consolation to the failed Pacquiao-Mayweather super fight. But for Joshua Clottey, he considers this fight as his biggest in his boxing career.

"In my country, this fight is big. It hasn't even started yet. The fight is getting bigger and bigger in Ghana.They know that Manny Pacquiao is one of the best fighter in the world and I'm the best fighter in Ghana." said Clottey in a very optimistic voice.

Joshua Clottey, a 5-foot-8 welterweight has a 35-win and 3 loss record. He has never been knocked out, His three losses were very close and they were from elite fighters like Miguel Cotto and Antonio Margarito. A Clottey victory over Pacquiao in March will mean bigger fights and a bigger payday in his future matches.

Source: digitaljournal.com

Pacquiao vs. Clottey NYC Press Conference Complete Videos

PACQUIAO’S TRAINING DELAYED BY ANOTHER DAY

By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 22 Jan 2010

Pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao’s training at the Wild Card Gym has been delayed by another day while challenger Joshua
Clottey’s training which began last week has been disrupted after his trainer was temporarily refused a visa by the US Embassy in Accra, Ghana.


Trainer Freddie Roach who flew back to Los Angeles from New York aboard a private plane along with Pacquiao, Filipino trainer Restituto “Buboy” Fernandez, Pacquiao adviser Michael Koncz, lawyer Franklin “Jeng” Gacal and Bulletin boxing writer Nick Giongco told the champion to take a rest after a grueling two-stop press tour which opened at the Dallas Cowboys $1.2 billion stadium on Tuesday followed by the Madison Square Garden event the following day.

Pacquiao was supposed to start training at the Wild Card Gym on Thursday (Friday in Manila) but Roach asked him to take a day’s rest before buckling down to the grueling training regimen he is normally used to.

Clottey appeared to have even bigger problems and was reported heading back to Ghana to resolve the issue of visas for trainer Godwin Nii Dzanie Koet and assistant trainer Daniel Clottey whose US visas had expired last November.

Clottey was to begin intensive training for his March 13 showdown with Pacquiao and his trainer in a conversation with Nathaniel Attoh of Joy News described the snafu as “very frustrating.”. He was quoted as saying “an officer looked into the documents I had with me and he just wrote something that they were going to do their investigation and give me a call. I don’t know what investigations they want to carry out.” Daniel Clottey, on the other hand, was reportedly flatly refused a visa.

The trainer had planned to leave Ghana for the US on Saturday but the failure to obtain a visa has left him confused.

Kotey told Prince Dornu-Leiku of East Side Boxing “we are very disappointed because we need to train now. Joshua is all alone in the US and even if he is training, there is no supervision.”

He said “you need time to prepare in boxing. Even the day Joshua was tapped was already too short for a fight of such magnitude. He needs at least four months to prepare for a big fight like this.”

Source: PhilBoxing.com

Wild Card saddles up for Pacquiao training

By NICK GIONGCO
January 22, 2010, 4:25pm

LOS ANGELES — Manny Pacquiao was given the green light Thursday by trainer Freddie Roach to spend what was supposed to be his first day of training with his friends after the two arrived here close to midnight from a two-city promotional tour in Dallas and New York for the March 13 fight with Joshua Clottey.

“See you on Friday, Manny,” Roach told his prized pupil late Wednesday night at a private hangar near LAX International, fresh from a six-hour flight from Newark, New Jersey that made a brief refueling stop in Denver.

“Just take the day off. Rest,” said Roach.

Pacquiao had wanted to show up at the Wild Card in Hollywood on Thursday as originally planned but because of their late arrival back from the tiring tour, the Filipino had no choice but to skip training.

“Okay, coach, I will do that,” said Pacquiao, who was joined in the press tour by Canadian adviser Mike Koncz, lawyer Franklin Gacal and training assistant Roger Fernandez.

At the Wild Card on Vine Street, security chief Rob Peters was already on hand to enforce rules, knowing that Pacquiao would start his workout but he will have to wait for another day.

When Pacquiao goes to the gym Friday, nobody will be allowed in except of course for members of Pacquiao’s team from 12 noon until 4 p.m. until March 8.

Despite missing one day, Team Pacquiao is not worried.

Conditioning coach Alex Ariza said there is still enough time to whip Pacquiao into his old fiery form, stressing that he is the most hardworking athlete he has seen.

“We’re still okay and you know Manny, when he starts training it would be impossible to tell him to stop,” said Ariza, who has the major role of making sure Pacquiao reaches peak form in time for the 12-round welterweight clash set at the Cowboys Stadium.

Since Pacquiao and Clottey are slugging it out at the welter limit of 147 lbs, Ariza said Pacquiao will tip the scales exactly at 147 but will not allow him to bloat.

“He’ll weigh 149 lbs by the time he enters the ring.”

Source; http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/239794/wild-card-saddles-pacquiao-training

Clottey on a mission

By Robert Hughes

The African nation of Ghana has given the world a few really good boxers. Azumah Nelson, Ike Quartey and Ben Tackie come to mind. Now 32-year-old welterweight Joshua Clottey is working hard to be remembered like Nelson, a winner of three world championships. Was life growing up in Ghana hard? “Very, very, hard,” Clottey said. “Ghana, you know, there is nothing there. When you are a young guy you have to fight to get ahead,” Clottey said. Boxing was his way to do just that. Fighting has put Clottey in the hearts and minds of his countrymen. If he retired tomorrow, his career would be memorialized with those of Quartey and Tackie.

A veteran (35-3-0, 20 KOs) whose win total is approaching Nelson’s (39-6-2, 28 KO), Clottey already has an IBF welterweight championship belt to show for his efforts.

He is Manny Pacquiao’s second choice for defending the WBO welterweight championship. Clottey said that being Floyd Mayweather’s understudy does not bother him, that fighting the world’s #1 pound-for-pound boxer is something he’s earned.

But what if…he does beat Pacquiao, and becomes a household name overnight. Will he still want to attempt turning over a couple losses, specifically to Miguel Cotto and Antonio Margarito?

“I want to fight with Cotto, even if I win (against Pacquiao) I want to fight against Cotto and (Antonio) Margarito,” he said.

But after a win against a superstar like Pacquiao, a second loss to a previous foe may tarnish a newly created legacy.

That doesn’t scare Clottey a bit.

“I would love to fight with Cotto, I would love to fight with Margarito,” he said. “Because, in both fights, something happened. Cotto was the controversy, Margarito, (it) was the (left) hand, so I need to fight them again,” he said.

Source: fightnews.com

Pacquaio promoter finds heaven on Cowboys 50 yard line

Boxing Examiner | Michael Marley

Some people may think that Joshua Clottey doesn’t have a prayer against Manny Pacquiao on March 13 at Cowboys Stadium.

But one Top Rank Promotions employee has already had his prayer, on the 50 yard line no less with team owner Jerry Jones looking on in appreciation, no less.

Carl Moretti, veteran boxing man and a VP for New York Football Giants devotee Bob Arum’s outfit which promotes both the Filipino and the Ghanaian, counts golf as a pastime when not conducting boxing business.

(Click here to see Freddie Roach speak on Floyd Mayweather Jr.)

But the New Jersey resident’s real sporting passions, other than his family and away from the prize ring, are following the Yankees in baseball, Notre Dame in college football and the storied Dallas franchise in the National Football League.

Needless to say, when Moretti’s Cowboy fanhood was revealed, he and Jones hit it off.

“It was great,” Moretti said. “I met Jerry through Bob and told him how I loved his team. He not only brought me to their locker room, I went out to the 50 yard line and knelt in thankful prayer. To top it all off, Jerry let wear one of his Super Bowl rings for a photo.

“Let me tell you, I was in football heaven.”

Now if Moretti and the Charley Weis head coaching replacement can only square things away with the troubled program in South Bend. It may take a lot of Touchdown Jesus prayers for that to happen.

Tickets for Clottey-Pacquiao, with Manny’s WBO welterweight title on the line, go on sale this Saturday at reasonable prices.

Source: Examiner.com

CLOTTEY'S TRAINER DENIED VISA AS FIGHT WITH PACQUIAO AWAITS

By Felix Strunk | January 21, 2010

With just seven weeks left until the biggest fight of his career, former welterweight champion Joshua Clottey is currently without a trainer. According to reports, Clottey's trainer, Godwin Nii Dzanie Kotey, and assistant trainer, Daniel Clottey, have been denied a visa by the US Embassy in Accra. "An officer looked into the documents that I had with me and he just wrote something that they [were] going to do their investigations and give me a call...I don't know what investigations they want to carry out," Kotey revealed to Nathaniel Attoh of Joy Sports.

It's rumored that Clottey's March 13th bout with Manny Pacquiao could be in jeopardy if the problem isn't resolved soon. "We are very disappointed because we need to train. Now Joshua is all alone in the US and even if he is training, there is no supervision," Kotey would inform Prince Dornu-Leiku at East Side Boxing. "You need time to prepare in boxing. Even the day Joshua was notified for the fight was already too short for a fight of such magnitude. He needs at least four months to prepare for a big fight like this."

Clottey himself is expected to return to Ghana to try and resolve the problem and help speed up whatever investigations are necessary. Whether or not this will have an effect of Clottey's training remains to be seen, but with or without his longtime trainer, it's highly doubtful that Clottey would pull out of a fight that will earn his biggest payday.

Source: fighthype.com

Pacquiao to begin the tough grind to Texas

LA Boxing Examiner | Ricardo Lois

Los Angeles -- I openly wonder if boxing fans, the hardcore or casual, really take into account the dedication and iron-like will it takes to become a world class boxer.

For each and every boxing battle, there are hundreds of sparring rounds, miles and miles of jogging, and thousands upon thousands of minutes spent on the heavy bag, mitt work, speed bag, and other training regimens. Add the strict dietary guidelines in relation to calories and making the contracted fighting weight and boxing might be the most grueling of all sports.

Today, at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood, California, Manny Pacquiao starts the cumbersome road to March 13, when he will face tough welterweight Joshua Clottey at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

The press conferences in Dallas and New York are over and now Pacquiao must focus on the situation at hand: a fight that is 54 days away against a fighter who is rugged and will not fade quietly into the Texas night.

(Watch video coverage of the NYC press conference for Pacquiao vs. Clottey)

Along with the aforementioned training regimen, which will be supervised by trainer Freddie Roach, Pacquiao must select sparring partners. These men, who will give themselves physically in assisting Pacquiao, must emulate Clottey's in the ring style.

While no news has leaked regarding the list of sparring mates for Pacquiao, beyond young Shawn Porter, Roach would be wise to find strong fighters above the welterweight class that will test his mettle to the fullest.

In order to copy cat Clottey's style, the sparring partners must have strong right hands, the ability to rattle of combinations - specifically a left hand following the solid right by Clottey, and use one hand combinations.

(Watch a video interview with Manny Pacquiao.)

One name that comes to mind when contemplating potential sparring partners is the Roach trained middleweight Roman Karmazin.

If Pacquiao can crack the tough Russian nut in sparring, he would be well-prepared for the test presented by Clottey.

It will be interesting to see who is selected to assist Pacquiao in the difficult days to come.

(Watch a video interview with Coach Freddie Roach.)

Source: Examiner.com

Styles make fights: Clottey's chances against Pacquiao

New England Boxing Examiner | Peter Czymbor

So Manny Pacquiao just dominated Miguel Cotto to a welterweight title win via 12th round TKO. In Cotto's previous bout, he earned a split decision over Joshua Clottey. Therefore, by process of elimination Pacquiao should beat Clottey right?

Not exactly, and Pacquiao's promoters at Top Rank Inc. Should know that.

Just take a look at another Top Rank fighter, middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik. Pavlik twice beat Jermain Taylor, who twice beat Bernard Hopkins. Yet the one time Pavlik and Hopkins fought, Hopkins dominated Pavlik en route a near shutout unanimous decision.

Styles make fight and let's not forget that. Clottey is a solid welterweight with a good chin and nice defense. His speed certainly doesn't match Pacquiao's, however it's possible he may be able to pressure Pacquiao into his kind of fight. He just needs to stop that terrible habit of fading the last half of his fight and giving it away.

Clottey is real. The boxing world needs to remember that as we all hope for an eventual Pacquiao - Mayweather showdown. Clottey could stop it.

Source: Examiner.com

Joshua Clottey Could Kill Boxing’s Comeback

January 21, 2010 – 7:10 am by Lance Zimmerman

I was going to start this article by writing how March 13th, 2010 was the most anticipated date in boxing over the past twenty years. Sure you could argue that Mike Tyson’s fight against Lennox Lewis was equally as big, but Tyson was well past his prime, taking some of the shine of what was an awful fight once the opening bell sounded.

Who wants to continue complaining about Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao’s fight falling apart? Me, that’s who. It was boxing’s big comeback. Another nail in the coffin of the deteriorating boxing fan base. Now, we’re left with Joshua Clottey vs. Manny Pacquiao on the same date of what was to be the fight of all fights.

Don’t sleep on Clottey. He’s Miguel Cotto, but with ten times the chin. True Cotto didn’t fair too well against Pacquiao, but he had his moments. A fighter like Clottey, who will be able to walk through the same punches that made Cotto run for cover, could be big trouble for Pacquiao. If Clottey does pull off the upset, goodbye dream fight, and goodbye bandwagon boxing fans. The dark days will be upon us again.

Joshua Clottey joined Pound for Pound on Hardcore Sports Radio to weigh in on his upcoming fight against arguably the biggest draw since Mike Tyson worldwide, Manny Pacquiao.

On if he would have done anything differently in the Cotto fight, or if he feels he was just outright robbed:

“I know Cotto, and I know he’s a good fighter, so when I’m fighting him I’m trying to make sure that any punch I threw, I threw many, many punches, I believe that any punch I threw I was going to get him. I think I deserved that win.”

Clottey was asked what he focuses on in training for a guy like Pacquiao:

“I think I have to be more determined, and more aggressive, and I’m planning to hit at, and I’m talking about even if it’s one shot at, you know, throw punches. It’s going to be a very nice fight. I know that the guy is a very good fighter and I know what he can do in the ring and I know what I can do in the ring. It’s going to be a very exciting fight.”

On if he’s approaching the fight as if it’s going to be a war in the ring:

“I always look at any fight as a war, any fight, even if I’m fighting a small fighter. It’s boxing, you have to protect yourself.”

Clottey on if he thinks that size in this fight will be a factor:

“It’s a size advantage, but you look at the champions and what they’re doing, always fighting the best, and Pacquiao is the champion. I really have to congratulate him for that. I’ll be the bigger man in the ring, but I’m not seeing me being bigger will be the most advantage because it’s boxing. I’ll prepare very well for this fight.”

On if he thinks that Pacquiao has used performance enhancing drugs:

“I don’t know about Pacquiao using anything, but I don’t know the reason why he didn’t want to take the blood test for Mayweather, and I don’t know the reasons why Mayweather wants to take the blood.”

Source: sportsradiointerviews.com

Roach tells Pacman to rest

By Nick Giongco

Instead of Thursday, Manny Pacquiao will report for training at the Wild Card in Hollywood on Friday so he can recharge his batteries after attending the two-city press tour promoting his March 13 fight with Joshua Clottey. This was the instructions made by Wild Card guru Freddie Roach to the Filipino fighter himself the moment they landed near LAX International late Wednesday night. “See you Friday, Manny,” Roach told Pacquiao, who were together on an eight-seater plane that also carried Pacquiao lawyer Franklin Gacal, Canadian adviser Mike Koncz, training assistant Roger Fernandez and Manila Bulletin/Fightnews. Pacquiao made stops in Dallas and New York the last couple of days and since it was almost midnight when he got back in Los Angeles, Roach just advised him to recharge his batteries for the start of training camp on Friday.

Source: fightnews.com

Get to know Joshua Clottey … soon

By Sev Sarmenta
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 01:01:00 01/22/2010

So we’re not getting the fight we wanted.

Manny Pacquiao versus Floyd Mayweather Jr. just isn’t going to happen—yet—as neither camp was willing to give in to each side’s stand regarding urine and blood testing.

Despite failing to stage some choice pairings in the past, boxing can still spring a few surprises and give fans a Pacquiao-Mayweather show in the future. There’s just too much money and pride involved for the fight not to happen.

Abangan (wait for it) as the telenovelas would say.

* * *

As alternative, we’ve got bull-strong Joshua Clottey, a 5-foot-8 welterweight to wage war against Pacquiao.

Experts and ardent followers of the fight game know Clottey’s achievements and near wins: a 35-win, 3-loss and no-draw record; never been knocked out; a close, some say controversial, loss to Miguel Cotto.

Clottey goes by the sobriquet “Grand Master,” a calm moniker that feels like a departure from the tough, macho-man nicknames of fighters today.

* * *

And yet chat with the ordinary Pacquiao fan in the streets and you’ll find out that despite Clottey’s high-profile fights and skill and tenacity, he is still an unknown to many Filipinos.

We’re not talking about the passionate fight fans that send comments to the boxing forums or come up to me in coffee shops to talk about the scoring of a close fight. They know who Clottey is.

We’re talking about the Pacquiao fans who latched on to big time boxing simply because the Filipino pound-for-pound king has done what no other fighter has achieved: winning titles in seven different weight categories and becoming a certified headliner of the sport.

Many of them are not fans who can recite fight records with their eyes closed or replay fight highlights with both arms. They follow Pacquiao.

* * *

These are fans who know Mayweather because he’s had fight extravaganzas with Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton.

There would have been no problem knowing Mayweather, who is also great TV material because he gives the media the sound bites they need.

But enough of Mayweather for now. He didn’t want Pacquiao that badly and so he will have to wait for another time.

* * *

But don’t worry. In time, when the usual media run-up to the March 13 fight night gets going, we’ll know so much more about Clottey.

That’s just the way it is with Pacquiao opponents, save for Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, Juan Manuel Marquez, De La Hoya and Hatton who were already known to Filipinos.

To name a few, we’ve gotten to know Oscar Larios, Jorge Solis, David Diaz and Cotto a little better because Pacquiao battled against them.

With his superstar status across the globe, Pacquiao’s spotlight rubs off nicely on not-so-popular opponents.

* * *

Get to know Joshua Clottey in the next two months. We’ll learn everything about his background, training, fight views and plans if he gets by Pacquiao.

He’s due for quite a payday but Clottey knows that the road could just be opening up for bigger fights if he snaps Pacquiao’s 11-victory streak since 2005, when he lost the first Erik Morales fight.

After March 13, we won’t be saying “Clottey, who?” that much.

Source: sports.inquirer.net

PACQUIAO TRAINING CAMP OPENS ON THURSDAY

By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 21 Jan 2010

The training camp of pound-for-pound boxing hero Manny Pacquiao opens on Thursday (Friday, Manila Time) at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles and according to conditioning expert Alex Ariza that’s when Pacquiao sets aside the fun and games and begins to train relentlessly.

Ariza told us that Pacquiao was in a jovial mood when they exchanged text messages while Pacquiao was returning to Los Angeles from a highly successful media event at New York’s Madison Square Garden on Wednesday.

Ariza said he texted Pacquiao asking him when he wants to start running and “Manny responded, in March,” which gave Ariza the impression that the super star of boxing was relaxed before he starts his training grind for the showdown with tough Joshua Clottey at the Dallas Cowboys stadium on March 13.

Pacquiao, as always, has kept physically fit despite a hectic schedule of shooting political advertisements, playing pool and handling commercial endorsements and business deals, by playing basketball on a regular basis although trainer Freddie Roach essentially frowns on this.

The New York press conference with Clottey, Roach and Top Rank promoter Bob Arum also had a bevy of attractive Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders in attendance, clearly underscoring the determination of Dallas Cowboys stadium owner Jerry Jones to make “The Event” a resounding success.

While Pacquiao’s focus is on the Clottey fight, the prospect of a mega-fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr later this year, possibly in September or November, still lingers in the background although the initial effort to arrange a fight that the fans have been longing for, collapsed on a cut-off date for random drug testing.

Although Pacquiao told the media he was focused on his training and the Clottey fight and asked them to “forget about Mayweather,” the undefeated former pound-for-pound champion, Pacquiao went on to claim that Mayweather was “making alibis to cancel the fight and doesn’t want to fight because he’s scared to lose.”

Underscoring his amiable nature which Clottey reciprocated, Pacquiao referred to the bigger former world champion as “a nice guy” and noted that he’s got size and “is tough and can take a punch. He can stand and fight toe-to-toe and I don’t want to underestimate him.”

While Pacquiao is set to begin training on Friday, Clottey has been training for the past two weeks and like most Pacquiao opponents has gotten a head-start on the champion whose WBO welterweight title will be on the line.

Meantime Ariza informed us that three Filipino fighters who will be seeing action on the Top Rank “Pinoy Power III” card at the Las Vegas Hilton on February 13 are training at the Wild Card gym. The fighters are veteran, former two-division world champion Gerry Penalosa who battles another former two division world champion Eric Morel in a WBO bantamweight title eliminator, world-rated Bernabe Concepcion who faces tough Mario Santiago.

Also working out at Wild Card under Pacquiao’s Filipino trainer Restituto “Buboy” Fernandez is promising Philippine bantamweight champion Eden Sonsona who is being handled by Pacquiao and his adviser Michael Koncz.

Koncz said he has plans of putting Sonsona on a Top Rank fight card in Mexico which will be co-promoted by Fernando Beltran before hopefully getting him a world title shot should he win impressively. Although Bob Arum told us he has one slot vacant for a Filipino fighter on the Pacquiao-Clottey card, there’s no word on whether Sonsona would be the one to fill up the slot although Koncz indicated it is highly unlikely.

Source: PhilBoxing.com

Boxing: Pacquiao, Clottey all smiles ... now

NEW YORK — Joshua Clottey smiled for photographs, hugged two Cowboys cheerleaders, then stood behind a podium and thanked Manny Pacquiao for the opportunity to fight him.

Three times.

The two will vie for Pacquiao's version of the welterweight championship March 13 at the new Cowboys Stadium in Dallas, but they looked anything like foes Wednesday. They shook hands, spoke glowingly of each other and promised fight fans something to remember.

Or perhaps a reason to forget the last two months.

Pacquiao admited at a news conference at Madison Square Garden that even he wanted to fight Floyd Mayweather Jr., the braggadocios welterweight who held the pound-for-pound mantle until the Filipino champion came along. Negotiations for the biggest fight in years began in November, but by late December had spiraled out of control.

The main sticking point became the protocol for drug testing, though that's simplifying six weeks of contentious talking.

There were accusations that Pacquiao used performance-enhancing drugs, a defamation lawsuit filed against Mayweather, a failed attempt at mediation and seemingly dozens of negative press releases dispensed by both sides.

"He didn't want to fight me," Pacquiao said, shrugging his shoulders. "I think maybe Mayweather is scared to lose."

The end came when Mayweather insisted on blood testing 14 days before the fight, even though Pacquiao agreed to 24 days out. Pacquiao had blood drawn the night before losing to Erik Morales and vowed never to let it interfere with training or a fight again.

"When Manny gives blood, he feels weak for about two days," his trainer Freddie Roach said.

Despite becoming the biggest attraction in the sport over the past few years, generating huge pay-per-view numbers with high-profile wins, Pacquiao is still an introvert when surrounded by TV cameras. He speaks softly, barely above a whisper, and is reluctant to say anything negative.

He leaves that to promoter Top Rank and outspoken chief Bob Arum, who sounded incredulous that Mayweather would seek more stringent drug testing than required by state athletic commissions.

"If Mayweather wants to fight Manny, it will have to be under the rules of the commission that governs the fight," Arum said. "You cannot have fighters in this sport imposing regulatory restrictions on other fighters because they damn well please. That is chaotic. Nobody in their right mind should allow that to happen, whether it's Mayweather or God knows who else."

The big winner — perhaps the only winner — in the failed negotiations was Clottey, a former titleholder coming off a narrow loss to Miguel Cotto last June.

Born in Ghana and now training in the Bronx, Clottey is taller and stronger than Cotto, who was stopped in the final round by Pacquiao last November. He also has a granite chin and, unlike Mayweather, prefers to fight toe-to-toe.

"This is a very big fight. He's one of the best fighters out there, and he's beaten everyone they've given him. But we're going to fight," Clottey said. "I know it's not an easy fight for me and it's not an easy fight for him."

Even so, it's difficult to sell anything less than the best in sports, which is why Arum understands he might have to work overtime to promote an alternative to Mayweather.

That's one of the reasons the fight will be at Jerry Jones' $1.2 billion showplace, where Arum hopes to see 40,000 fans the night of the fight. It's also the reason five Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders accompanied the entourage to New York for an introductory news conference, and why Top Rank is trying to put together an enticing undercard.

• KHAN WILL FIGHT — Amir Khan has reached a tentative agreement to defend his WBA lightweight title against mandatory challenger Marcos Maidana of Argentina. The WBA says the fight will be at the end of March or early April at a location yet to be determined, but most likely Las Vegas or Manchester, England.

The British fighter first defended his lightweight title by knocking out Dmitriy Salita in 76 seconds in December at Newcastle, England.

Source: modbee.com

Pacquiao is the most exciting and best fighter -- Clottey

by Don Tagala, ABS-CBN North America News Bureau | 01/21/2010 3:20 PM

NEW YORK – Forget Floyd “Money” Mayweather, Jr.

Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao is gearing up to fight New York’s “Grand Master” from Ghana, Joshua Clottey.

Dubbed as “The Event,” there is no better place to announce the Pacquiao-Clottey fight than the Madison Square Garden in New York, known for its place in the history of boxing.

Before promoters like Don King and Bob Arum moved boxing to Las Vegas, many of the biggest boxing fights were held here, including the first Joe Frazier vs Muhammad Ali bout.

“I’m not gonna promise I’m gonna win the fight but I will do my best to give an honor to my country and of course to give an honor to the boxing fans and to give a good fight, to make people happy, to make you guys happy,” said Pacquiao during the press conference.

The 32-year-old Clottey may be bigger and stronger than 31-year-old Pacquiao, but he lost to Miguel Cotto in a 12-round split decision. Pacquiao, meantime, beat Cotto in November via technical knockout in Round 12.

Clottey, a former International Boxing Federation (IBF) welterweight champion, said he is not about to underestimate the little Filipino champ.

“If Pacquiao beat me down, this is the first time I lost a fight… I’m fighting with the most exciting fighter and the best fighter out there, I don’t have to think I’m gonna knock down Pacquiao, that’s no good for boxers, thinking that you’re gonna knock your opponent out and will surprise with little punches and by the time you realize, you lose,” the Ghanaian said.

Pacquiao will defend his World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title against Clottey on March 13 at the Cowboys Stadium in Dallas, Texas.

Out of the question

Promoter Bob Arum told the press that Clottey is a better opponent for Pacquiao than Mayweather. He even said a Pacquiao-Mayweather clash would hardly be a fight.

“Mayweather-Pacquiao is a one guy running [Mayweather], the other guy trying to hunt him down [Pacquiao], I mean that’s sorta interesting, to a fight where you know Manny will have no trouble knowing where Clottey is, Clottey will stand up and fight,” said the Top Rank Promotions big boss.

Team Pacquiao said even if they are given the best deal and if the right conditions are met, fighting Mayweather is already out of the question.

Arum once and for all set the record straight on why Pacquiao refused the drug testing procedure that was too close to the March 13 fight.

“I know if you want blood testing after the fight, that you subject the fighter to the risk of infection, if you’ve ever been in a dressing room after a fight you know that it’s not sanitized,” he said.

Pacquiao added, “I’m agree to blood testing but not the day of the fight, I tried that before on the day of the fight, the [Erik] Morales one and I lost the fight because my body I feel so weak and I didn’t recover.”

All-out support

The Pacquiao-Mayweather bout may have gone down the drain but fans in New York still believe that no matter who Pacquiao fights, he will always continue to bring pride and honor to his homeland, the Philippines.

“I called out sick just to show our support to Manny Pacquiao,” said Linda Tumanda Clifton of New Jersey.

Ronnel Padagas from the Bronx, New York expressed his loyalty to the pound-for-pound king: “I’m always for Pacquiao, so whoever he fights, we’re all Filipinos. Best luck for Paquiao.”

Mikhael Tividad, who is also from the Bronx, said: “The Clottey-Pacquiao [fight] is going to be action-packed, so it’s really gonna be worth the pay-per-view, the money that we’re gonna be paying, good for the fans, good for boxing.”

Source: ABS-CBNNews.com

Manny Pacquiao preps for Joshua Clottey

Thursday, January 21, 2010
BY KEITH IDEC
The Record
STAFF WRITER

NEW YORK — Critics called Bob Arum crazy when he supported Manny Pacquiao's decision to walk away from a potential $40 million payday for a March 13 fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr. over blood-testing issues.

The colorful promoter joked Wednesday that they must've thought he completely lost his mind when Arum picked Joshua Clottey as Mayweather's replacement. Clottey isn't Pacquiao's primary competitor for pound-for-pound supremacy and he doesn't boast Mayweather's mainstream fame, but he's widely viewed as a high-risk, low-reward threat to end Pacquiao's remarkable run since he last lost a fight nearly five years ago to Mexico's Erik Morales.

"This is a tough fight for us," Freddie Roach, Pacquiao's trainer, told reporters at Madison Square Garden to promote the March 13 clash in Arlington, Texas. "Joshua is a big, strong welterweight."

Ghana's Clottey (35-3, 20 KOs, 1 NC) is a tough former champion who many ringside observers believe beat Miguel Cotto in their welterweight title fight last June 13 at the Garden. Puerto Rico's Cotto was awarded a split-decision win, however, which secured Cotto's November fight against Pacquiao in Las Vegas.

Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38 KOs) dominated Cotto (34-2, 27 KOs) in such surprising fashion, a Pacquiao-Mayweather match became boxing's must-see attraction.

Negotiations finally fell apart after representatives for Pacquiao and Mayweather couldn't come to an agreement on time frames for Olympic-style drug testing following mediation two weeks ago in Santa Monica, Calif.

Pacquiao already had filed a defamation lawsuit against Mayweather and Oscar De La Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions, which represented Mayweather in the negotiations, because they've at least insinuated that Pacquiao has used performance-enhancing drugs. Clottey, who is managed by Oakland's Vinny Scolpino, made no such suggestions during negotiations.

Clottey claims he won't make the same mistakes Cotto made in the ring against the Filipino southpaw, either.

"Cotto is stronger than Pacquiao," Clottey said. "But Cotto [didn't] respect Pacquiao. He [thought] Pacquiao is too small to hurt him. I'm not thinking that at all. I will give him a lot of respect. With that, he's not going to surprise me with any punch."

Clottey, 32, is considered a smart, defensive-minded fighter who sometimes doesn't throw enough punches against top opponents.

But he has never been knocked out and has beaten former welterweight champ Zab Judah (38-6, 26 KOs, 2 NC) and the late Diego Corrales (40-5, 33 KOs) in recent years. He has lost on points to Cotto and former welterweight champ Antonio Margarito (37-6, 27 KOs, 1 NC), and by disqualification to former welterweight champ Carlos Baldomir (45-12-6, 14 KOs).

Pacquiao, 31, said Wednesday he thought Clottey defeated Cotto. He also expects a much more difficult fight against Clottey than his 12th-round TKO over Cotto.

Pacquiao doesn't know what to expect from Mayweather, though, if he defeats Clottey. If Mayweather (40-0, 25 KOs) fights Shane Mosley (46-5, 39 KOs, 1 NC) — a proposed Pacquiao replacement — Pacquiao expects Mosley will win, which would ruin the Pacquiao-Mayweather momentum they had before the blood-testing controversy.

If Mayweather overcomes Mosley or another opponent, Pacquiao still won't count on facing him.

"I'm not the one who's making alibis to cancel the fight," said Pacquiao. "I think the real thing is he doesn't want the fight."

Source: northjersey.com

MANNY PACQUIAO vs JOSHUA CLOTTEY Promotion

By Blue Mercury

Pacquiao Clottey: The Event Press Conference

The day after in Dallas: Jerry Jones and staff really go to work now

Dallas Boxing Examiner | Matt Stolow

ARLINGTON, TX - The sparklers have been put away, the massive HD screens have been raised back to there normal height and the famous cheerleaders have put away there blue and silver pom pons. All that is left are 51 days until Cowboys Stadium hosts Manny Pacquiao vs. Joshua Clottey on Saturday, March 13.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has written promoter Bob Arum a check for the ticket sales and sponsorships he sells. I'm guessing the check was for 5 or 6 million. Then he has the cost of the promotion and advertising. Knowing Arum, Top Rank comes back in for an overage (percentage) after Jones makes back his money at the door.

The advertising campaign will hit the Dallas - Fort Worth Metroplex (6.3 million people) on February 1, along with hot spot Hispanic markets such as San Antonio (280 miles south) where Pacquiao has already fought twice, Houston and its large Hispanic population, state capitol Austin, and a bit further South into the Rio Grande Valley directly into northern Mexico.

This is why the under card will be flooded with Mexican fighters and why Jones hopes there is a migration of rabid Mexican fight fans coming up to DFW for the fight weekend.

Jones and company have a good competitive main event fight to work with. But they have to sell an entire entertainment event to fill up the local hotels and restaurants during fight week.

The immediate DFW area has more than enough people to fill Cowboy Stadium for this fight. The Dallas Cowboys fill the stadium with 90,000 plus regularly even against the weakest opponents. But boxing is a more strategic numbers game that has to be addressed.

Just about three hours after the press conference Jones emailed about 75,000 full color flyers with a seating chart for the fight to his season ticket holders.

Site-coordinator Lester Bedford actually refereed two basketball games after the presser and didn't make it home until the 10:00 PM news. That's a great work ethic!

Jones and company have to make ticket buyers out of those fight fans that enjoy the comforts of home and pay per view.

HBO will make a grand push to sell this fight on pay-per-view but Jones has to pick off a lot of those fans for himself and his stadium.

While I was as caught up in the hoopla of a major prize fight involving Manny Pacquiao happening in my home town, I know those involved have a lot of work in front of them after they finish congratulating each other and patting themselves on the back.

The Cowboys for decades have built up their radio network and television market in South Texas and Mexico to make the Dallas Cowboys "The Team" of the Hispanics. It is why the Cowboys are at the top of memorabilia sales each year to the tune of tens of millions of dollars annually so Jones has to tap into those markets rather than having to reinvent the wheel to find fans.

The Stadium itself is going to be a huge selling point and Mexican fans respect Manny Pacquiao.

Having promoted boxing here for 25 years, the most amazing moment yesterday was ABC - TVs Dallas affiliate Channel 8 leading off its sportscast at 10:00 PM with a favorable spin of the press conference. The highly rated -network regularly avoids boxing even when world champions such as local Donald Curry were demanding world-wide attention back in the mid 1980s.

The difference is the clout of Jerry Jones.

Source: Examiner.com

JOSHUA CLOTTEY: "I WANT TO MAKE THIS FIGHT PHYSICAL...I'LL PRESSURE PACQUIAO"

By Evan Korn | January 20, 2010

"I want to make this fight physical. I want to make it physical and see if Pacquiao can stand the physical. I'm going to try Pacquiao and Pacquiao is going to try me...I'm not thinking that he's too small...One thing I know about me is that I know how to handle a southpaw. I never lost to a southpaw in my life before...I'll pressure Pacquiao," stated former welterweight champion Joshua Clottey, who was on hand at the Madison Square Garden Theater earlier today for a press conference to announce his upcoming March 13th clash with Manny Pacquiao. Check out what Clottey had to say about Pacquiao, the fight and much more.

On whether or not it will be tough to win a decision...

Like I said, if I won the fight, I know I won the fight. But this one is going to be different because one thing I know for sure is that I know how to handle a southpaw good. I can handle a southpaw fighter so good.

On what it was like when he found out he would be fighting Manny...

Well, at first, I got an email from my manager that maybe we're going to get a big fight with somebody, but he never mentioned the person. Then I went to I think Boxingscene and I saw that Bob Arum was saying that maybe Joshua was going to fight Pacquiao. I was like, "Are you kidding me?" I couldn't even believe that, so I called my manager, because he told me to call him, and my manager confirmed to me that we're fighting Pacquiao. I was like, "Wow!" That is a fight I love. I love to fight with Pacquiao because Pacquiao is the most guy that everybody wants to fight...I can't believe that it's me fighting Pacquiao. I'm so excited about it.

On whether or not Pacquiao is underestimating him...

No, no, no. There's no underestimating me at all...Pacquiao can not understimate me. I'm too big to be underestimated, so I don't think he is, but I think he's giving me the chance to fight him. That's why I respect him.

On whether or not his size will be advantage...

The reason why Pacquiao is most of the time beating the guys is people don't realize he's too small and as small as he is, he's going to dodge your punches or move away from them. It's like he's going to fly, you see, because he's too tiny. So those people are dangerous. Forget about the weight. Forget about how big I am. If he's in front of me, then he's too small in front of me; you can't even see him.

I think I'll have a defense that will surprise him a little bit.

On his gameplan for the fight...

I want to make this fight physical. I want to make it physical and see if Pacquiao can stand the physical. I'm going to try Pacquiao and Pacquiao is going to try me.

I'm not thinking that he's too small.

One thing I know about me is that I know how to handle a southpaw. I never lost to a southpaw in my life before. All of my boxing career, amateur, professional, southpaw always easy for me to handle. What do you call him, Zab Judah, he had speed, but when I fought him, my blocking and my tight defense always make him confused. Pacquiao throws more than Zab Judah. Pacquiao is smaller than Zab Judah. That is the difference you have to worry about, but my blocking is still going to be good.

I'm training already.

When I was going to fight Cotto, I told you people that I'm going to pressure him. That's me. I pressure people. I did that, right? I pressure him and he was running away all around the ring. My fight, again, with Pacquiao, is to pressure him. I'll pressure Pacquiao.

Cotto is stronger than Pacquiao, it's true, but you know, Cotto don't respect Pacquiao. He think Pacquiao is too small to hurt him. When you see Pacquiao standing in front of you, you think, "Oh, he's just too small. He's this little guy." You know, that's what hurts you. I'm not thinking that at all. Send me in the ring at first, you'll see that I will give him a lot of respect. He's not going to suprise me with any punch.

I have a stiff jab...I think I will jab him a lot.

On allegations that Pacquiao has used performance-enhancing drugs...

The way Pacquiao is just beating the guys, you see, anybody can just say something because it's unbelievable. By beating Oscar like that, beating Ricky Hatton, beating Cotto down, especially the Cotto fight. Mayweather started thinking that maybe something is going on because of the way Pacquiao beat Cotto. But I think one thing that you have to think is that Pacquiao let the guys drain themselves to make the weight, so when they do that, they already lose. So that's why he beat them all.

Source: fighthype.com

MANNY PACQUIAO: "I DON'T WANT TO UNDERESTIMATE CLOTTEY"

By Evan Korn | January 20, 2010

"I have to train a different style like Clottey's style so I have to practice a strategy for Clottey's style...he's tough. He can take a punch. He can stand and fight toe-to-toe. I don't want to underestimate Clottey because he's a former champion too and he's a nice guy," stated WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao, who was on hand at the Madison Square Garden Theater earlier today for a press conference to announce his upcoming March 13th title defense against Joshua Clottey. Although both fighters are focused on their upcoming showdown, the media in attendance was still stuck on the collapse of the proposed megafight between Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather. Check out what Pacquiao himself had to say as he answered all questions.

On the allegations of using performance-enhancing drugs...

Well, of course, I filed a suit on him because it's not true. He's accusing me...it's not true, everything that's he's accusing me, and I want to clear my name because I'm a very honest person and believe in God. Of course what I'm doing in every fight is to give a good fight and train hard. I'm very disappointed in what he's accusing me.

That's why I decided myself to have a physical and I already gave to the media my medical [results] and it's clean and nothing's on it.

On the defamation lawsuit that was filed...

I just want to show it to them and to all the fans that I'm clean and I'm not cheating. I'm a very honest fighter.

On changing opponents from Mayweather to Clottey...

I'm still focused to my training and focused to the fight because forget about Mayweather. I understand Mayweather is making alibis to cancel the fight. I'm not the one making alibis to cancel the fight. The main thing is he don't want to fight.

I have to train a different style like Clottey's style so I have to practice a strategy for Clottey's style.

I think Mayweather is scared to lose, you know? He's scared to lose.

On his place in boxing history...

It's very important to me, that's why I filed a suit on them...it's my sacrifice, I train hard. My trainer said they're wanting me to stop in training, you know, to stop how training [for the random blood testing] and you don't know how hard I sacrifice myself in training and pray to God. That's why I have to defend myself.

On the possibility of Mosley fighting Mayweather...

I don't know, but if that fight happens, it's going to be a good fight and I think Mosley will win the fight.

More on blood testing...

I'm not turning down the blood testing. I agree to blood testing, but not the day of the fight. I tried that before the day of the fight, the Morales one, and I lost the fight because my body felt so weak and I didn't recover. That's why I don't like blood testing so close to the fight.

Actually, I'm not concerned about the money. I'm mostly concerned about what I can give, my performance to the people of boxing and the people who are going to watch the fight. That's why my concern is not only to myself, but to the people paying for the ticket and watching. They're going to expect that it's going to be a good fight. I don't want them to be disappointed and maybe think, "Next time I don't want to watch boxing because it's a boring fight." My concern is I am not only a fighter, but I am also an entertainer too. You have to entertain the people who are going to watch your fight.

On whether or not a fight with Mayweather will still happen or if it would be entertaining...

I think Mayweather is going to run long all day around the corner.

It's going to be kind of boring if I don't cut off the ring because I'm sure he's going to run, run, run.

I'm still hoping that the fight will be pushed through some other time.

It's gonna be a good fight if it happens.

On what concerns him about Clottey...

Source: fighthype.com

Clottey stunned by Pacquiao chance: This is my miracle fight

Boxing Examiner | Michael Marley

Joshua Clottey was relaxing back home in Ghana over the holidays.

He wasn't too thrilled about promoter Top Rank discussing low paying bouts on Fox Sports Espanol as his next assignment.

That seemed to be so much chopped liver (do they have this in Accra?) to the fighter who now lives in The Bronx.

"I didn't want that," the 32 year old Clottey said at a Madison Square Garden press conference Wednesday to pump his March 13 bout in Arlington, Tx., against Pinoy Idol Manny Pacquiao.

"Then I was surprised to get the phone call about fighting Manny. I thought, 'This is my chance, this is my miracle fight.'

"I love to fight but I love to fight the best and right now he is the best out there, the guy who has beaten everyone and the pound for pound best. So I was most happy."

Clottey said he will base his training camp in Hollywood, Fl., so for this Pacman bout Manny and his opponent will be training in Hollywood, the other of course being the Freddie Roach Wild Card Gym in California.

Clottey makes no bones about being a Floyd Mayweather admirer also.

"If he fights (Shane) Mosley, he will beat him," Clottey said. "He's got such good defense and timing in the ring. He sees the other guys' punches coming and he evades them. I really feel he is one of the best. I would want to fight him also if he wants."

Clottey, whose ring nickname is "Grand Master," has a 35-3 record with one no contest and 21 KOs. He is the top rated WBO challenger to welterweight champion Pacman.

He lost a 12 round split decision in the Garden last June to Miguel Cotto, the Puerto Rican who then got stopped by Megamanny in Las Vegas on Nov. 14.

"I was robbed in that fight," Clottey has said. "They robbed me. He was 4running and I was chasing him."

I don't think the game African will have to pursue Pacquiao in the Dallas Cowboys stadium, do you?

Source: Examiner.com

Exclusive photos of Dallas Pacquiao vs. Clottey press conference

Dallas Boxing Examiner | Matt Stolow

ARLINGTON, TX - Before the press conference even started, Manny Pacquiao took time out to greet local Dallas - Fort Worth fight fans of the local Filipino community as you can see from these exclusive photos.

World Boxing Organization Welterweight Champion (147 lbs.) and seven - time world champion Manny Pacquiao faced off with No. 1 contender Joshua Clottey at the announcement press conference for their March 13 championship bout at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, TX Tuesday afternoon.

Both fighters then flew to New York City where they meet the media there Wednesday before heading to there respective training camps for the fight just 52 days away.

The fight will be broadcast live on HBO PPV at a suggested $49.95.

Tickets go on sale for the fight at Cowboys Stadium on Saturday. Tickets range from $700, $500, $300, $200, $100, and $50.

Pacquiao, 31, is 50-3-2 (38 KO's). Clottey, 32, is 35-3 (21 KO's).

Here is a slide show from activity at the press conference at Cowboys Stadium by Dallas photographer Stacey Verbeek. Stacey also owns the Maple Avenue Boxing Gym with her husband Arnie.

Source: Examiner.com

Big fight looks bigger in Texas

By Jeff Zimmerman

As the saying goes, everything is “Bigger in Texas,” and today’s press conference kicking off the Manny Pacquiao vs. Joshua Clottey super fight on March 13th at the new Dallas Cowboy Stadium was no exception. It’s not the Mayweather vs. Pacquiao mega fight that everyone craved, but this fight, dubbed “The Event” should still do well with pound for pound king Manny Pacquiao as the main draw. Dallas Cowboy Owner Jerry Jones, co-promoting the fight along with Top Rank Chief and Hall of Fame Promoter Bob Arum, showcased the new stadium for the large media contingent and several hundred fans in attendance, mostly pro Pacquiao. And Jones made sure his massive 160 foot long and 72 foot high HD video screen was also on full display making Pacquiao and Clottey look larger than life while highlighting some of the greatest fights in boxing history during the introductions.

Jones, always the marketer, went all out in putting this mini-event together as he dipped into his Cowboy bag of tricks with several former players in attendance including Darren Woodson, Charles Haley, Russell Maryland, Lee Roy Jordan, Rayfield Wright, Preston Pearson and Drew Pearson plus the world renowned Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders. Former Dallas/Fort Worth boxing stars Paulie Ayala, Troy Dorsey and Gene Hatcher were also introduced. Even the fighters were in awe of the spectacle which had both fighters enter from the player’s tunnel engulfed in smoke with the Cowboy Cheerleaders cheering them to the boxing ring shaped stage.

Pacquiao stated, “I like the introduction. I feel like a football player”. This drew a huge cheer from the crowd.

Clottey shared, “I have never been in a stadium like this before. This is the biggest arena I have fought in so far.” When he was later told there could be 50,000 people at the fight and if he was concerned by such a large crowd, he quickly pointed out, “A large crowd doesn’t bother me.” Clottey was asked how he will handle the speed of Pacquiao. “I will hit hard and slow him down,” Clottey added.

If you came for trash talking and giant size egos, then you came to the wrong place, as this was more of a celebration of this historic fight. And both fighters were very quick to praise the other, showing the utmost respect.

“I have already started my training so I know I am going to focus on Pacquiao. It’s not going to be easy,” Clottey acknowledged. With conditioning a must against Pacquiao, Clottey has hired a new conditioning coach to get ready for the fight. Clottey also declared, “I like Manny Pacquiao. He is my favorite fighter. It’s going to be a great fight.”

Pacquiao encouraged all to come to the fight, “Please come on March 13th. It’s going to be a good fight with Clottey. Clottey is a good fighter, tough fighter, but I will do my best to make people happy.” Pacquiao also thanked Jones for the opportunity, “Thank you Jerry Jones for a chance to fight here in Dallas, my first time to be here.”

Arum also gave his take as the promoter for both fighters. “Manny may be facing the toughest, toughest test in Joshua Clottey. He is rugged and comes to fight.” Arum added however, “There are no challenges that Pacquiao doesn’t take – Oscar was too big, Hatton smothers you, Cotto too strong but Pacquiao takes on all challengers.”

Although the fight and the star power of Pacquiao is why people came, it was the stadium and its physical stature that seemed to take on a life of its own. Jones described what he had in mind when his dream became a reality.

“Our goal is to bring the greatest competition here. I always thought I could put a ring (boxing) on the STAR (referencing the Dallas Cowboy Star). This will be the first fight in history and we will make it a fight to be remembered.”

This was not lost on Arum either. Arum affirmed, “It’s a special privilege to promote the first boxing event at Cowboy Stadium. Thanks to Jerry for having the foresight that great boxing had a place at Cowboy Stadium.” He also added some boxing nostalgia, “Like New York at Madison Square Garden and Caesars Palace in Vegas, with your help, Cowboy Stadium could become the Mecca of Boxing.

Legendary Ring Announcer Michael Buffer also served as the MC of the event adding an extra buzz to the festivities. While comparing new Cowboy Stadium from the Birdnest in Beijing to the new and old Yankee Stadium in New York, Buffer was also blown away by the occasion.

“This is the most amazing press conference I have seen in 28 years”, Buffer pronounced to everyone.

HBO exec Mark Taffet also confirmed that this fight will be on HBO PPV ending speculation that Mayweather may fight the same night. Taffet also expressed gratitude in televising the inaugural event. “Pacquiao is not just a boxing or sports icon but a world figure,” Taffet stated.

And ever the promoter, Arum also took the opportunity to hype one of his company’s brightest and up and coming stars, Dallas based Roberto Marroquin (11-0 8 KOs). Arum said about Marroquin, “He is a Dallas Cowboy Fighter and will be fighting for a championship soon.” Marroquin will be fighting on the undercard and will be the first fight of the PPV.

Jones knows the stakes are high as he promotes his first big time boxing event with the hope that this will allure other big fights to his new home. And while Jones is the ultimate businessman, he has also been a boxing fan for many years.

Jones stated, “I have been to about 20 title fights around the world, including Ali vs. Spinks and Hagler vs. Hearns.” He was glad to get Pacquiao even if the opponent was not Mayweather. “I wanted Pacquiao and the dynamic he brings.”

If today’s kickoff press conference was any indication, Jones is well on his way to hosting some big fights in the future.

Source: fightnews.com

Pacquiao vs Clottey Dallas Press Conference (Top Rank)

Source: Examiner.com