Thursday, January 28, 2010
Clottey appeals to Ghana President for visa
Houston Boxing Examiner | Marv Dumon
WBO welterweight title challenger and Ghana native Joshua Clottey may be receiving the full support of his countrymen for his upcoming March 13th bout with pound for pound king Manny Pacquiao in Arlington, Texas. However, U.S. embassy officials in Ghana's capital, Accra, are giving the boxer fits.
Having denied Clottey's coach Godwin Kotey and his assistant Daniel Clottey could prove to be a big liability for a fighter facing the speedy and powerful Pacquiao. Clottey interrupted his training schedule and flew from New York to Ghana earlier this week to personally press his team's case for the temporary visas.
Appeal >
At a press conference organized by the Ghana Boxing Authority, several officials and boxing personalities were in attendance to support their fellow Ghanaian. Clottey, however, appeared emotional at the prospect of not being able to work with his trusted coach.
Modern Ghana reports that Clottey broke down in tears midway through his press conference due to his coach's inability to travel to the U.S. Clottey has repeatedly stated that facing Manny Pacquiao is the biggest fight of his career.
U.S. Security
U.S. State Department officials remain extremely cautious with temporary visas, especially from applications originating from Africa, due to the negative fallout from being unable to recognize security threats that came from the continent late last year. Clottey is reportedly appealing to Ghana President Atta Mills to resolve the matter. Ghanaian officials are also said to be working behind closed doors with U.S. embassy officials stationed in Accra.
Source: Examiner.com
Pacquiao tops list: Five guys Joshua Clottey can, cannot beat
Boxing Examiner | Michael Marley
Obviously, Joshua Clottey is a marketable commodity. But his pre Manny Pacquiao fight remarks must be taken with grains of salt, maybe 12 million grains of salt.
Like President Bam Bam in his feisty State of the Union speech Wednesday night, Clottey is hitting all the right notes.
The Ghanaian is saying that Megamanny is not superman. He says he knows how to handle southpaws. He says he won’t be in the Cowboys Stadium on march 13 merely to collect the biggest purse of his distinguished if hardly remarkable career.
Speculative promises are one thing and hot air is another. Surely, Clottey is entitled to the preflight palaver but, when he says his prayers and tucks himself into bed at night, does he believe what he says?
I don’t think so because he is not The Man who will stop The Manny.
Which brings me to a little list of fighters Clottey won’t beat and fighters he can beat:
JOSHUA CLOTTEY CANNOT BEAT:
1. MANNY PACQUIAO: The Pacman is still climbing up the ladder, a frightening thought for any foe. Is you ready for this, Mr. Mayweather? Give Sugar Shane Mosley a slim chance to derail the Pacman Express and give Mayweather the greater possibility of doing so with his slap and run style. Clottey runs second to Manny every time. Great writer J.D. Salinger just died at 91 which reminds me that, come March 13, the "Catcher in the Rye" will be Clottey, catching nearly all of Pacquiao's punches.
2. FLOYD MAYWEATHER: Obama’s new chant is jobs, jobs, jobs, only one letter different than Money May’s old chant of jabs, jabs, jabs. I doubt Clottey wins a single round with Mayweather rolling those shoulders, dipping those hips and ramming that jab in his kisser.
3. SUGAR SHANE MOSLEY: Nearing 40 but he’d be 40 and fabulous against Clottey. Mosley’s work rate and stretch run would give him a clear cut victory on points.
(See Examiner Rockwell on steroid monster Victor Conte calling Pacman "highly suspicious.")
(See DSource on words of praise for Clottey's pride and professionalism.)
(See Ricardo "Love them Dodgers" Lois on Pacman soaring while Mayweather sits idle.)
(See Vegas Examiner Robinson on why Foreman should focus on Cotto, forget Manny for now.)
4. LUIS COLLZAO: Does Lefty Louie from Coney Island carry the swine flu? I wonder the way he gets avoided. He and Clottey will never fight, being in different promotional camps but Collazo is another portsider who Josh would only be joshing with.
5. YURI I’M NO BORE, MAN, FOREMAN: Rabbi to be would take Clottey to shul, er I mean school over 12 rounds and take comfotrtable decision. Only 27, Foreman’s confidence got huge boost with title victory over proven banger Daniel Santos. This could happen as both are Top Rank cattle, er I mean chattel.
JOSHUA CLOTTEY CAN BEAT:
1. RICKY HATTON: This fight carried on Comedy Central, ho, ho and few more hos.
2. ANDRE BERTO: Never happens as Uncle Bob and Uncle Al (Haymon) fighers rarely mix it up. Berto probably nips Clottey but, properly inspired and with a trainer who pushes him from rounds eight through 12, Josh could possible defeat Berto.
3. ANTONIO MARGARITO: Revenge bout for Clottey but unlikely to happen. Who knows what Bandito Margocheato has left after suspension year on shelf? Arum might make this bout after both get beaten by his Megacash Cow from Gen San.
4. YO PAULIE MALIGNAGGI: Think Clottey would prove too physically strong for sorehanded Brookllynite. Unlikely to ever happen but it would be interesting but short of compelling.
5. CORY SPINKS: Joshua could beat Cory but they will never fight and Cory would put on a boxing clinic to nab a points verdict. It would take extra effort for Clottey to defeat the jabbing master out of ‘The Lou.
Source: Examiner.com
ARUM VERY IMPRESSED WITH PACQUIAO’S WORKOUT
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 29 Jan 2010
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum showed up at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles on Wednesday to watch his prized possession Manny Pacquiao train and said later he was “very impressed.”
The pound-for-pound icon went through his usual routine as well as nine rounds on the punch-mitts without a break.
Conditioning coach Alex Ariza told us that Pacquiao started his strength training and noted “he looked a lot stronger than he has been in the past and in some of the exercises it was nice to see on my part that it's like he’s not starting from the beginning.”
He said Pacquiao will begin sparring on Thursday (LA Time) but there was no word on who trainer Freddie Roach had picked to serve as sparring partners.
Ariza said Roach was “trying to put everything in order” which includes strict restrictions on who could remain inside while Pacquiao trains. He said the gym was virtually empty with only a few people from Team Pacquiao including Filipino trainer Restituto “Buboy” Fernandez present.
Ariza informed us that Gerry Penalosa who fights former two-division world champion Eric Morel on the “Pinoy Power III” card at the Las Vegas Hilton on February 13 which will be telecast in the Philippines by the giant broadcast network ABS-CBN said Penalosa was “aggressive, active and comes forward and is nice to watch.”
However, Ariza was most impressed by Philippine bantamweight champion Eden Sonsona, the flashy southpaw. He said “he looks really good. He’s strong and I really like him.”
Source: PhilBoxing.com
Pacquiao-Clottey, and Pacquiao-Morales IV
Is there anything or anyone that can stop Manny Pacquiao these days? It seems like he’s on a winning streak for the ages now with the man who shares arguably the number 1 spot in Boxing’s mythical pound for pound list being afraid to step in the ring with him. Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s baseless PED’s accusations and extraordinary stipulations caused the March 13th superfight to fall through. Bob Arum has defended his prized ward very well, and has now turned the tables on Oscar Dela Hoya, calling for the once Golden Boy to “sign the PED waiver”.
“The Pacman” has no time to deal with such cowardice. That is why Manny Pacquiao has moved on and is scheduled to fight against a battle tank in Joshua Clottey in Dallas this March, in a fight dubbed “The Event” because of the sheer magnitude and scale of the entire production, and Floyd Mayweather is still struggling to sign the dotted line on a rumored bout with Sugar Shane Mosley.
For Pacquiao, the fight with the tough Ghanaian will be an even tougher test than his bout with Miguel Cotto. Clottey, who hunches and plods forward in attack mode, will be the largest and strongest fighter Pacquiao will have ever fought. The man has a chin made of granite. Clottey has taken the heaviest punches from the top Welterweights including Cotto and the once feared Antonio Margarito. And there is every indication that he will be able to withstand the power of Pacquiao. Pacquiao will once again have to rely on his speed and boxing ability to break down the warrior Clottey in hopes of a late round KO/stoppage, which is the only way to win against Clottey to send a message to the Mayweather camp.
Clottey on the other hand, will attempt to do what David Diaz, Oscar Dela Hoya, Ricky Hatton and Miguel Cotto failed to do in their respective bouts with Pacquiao. He will have to overpower Pacquiao and run him over like a ‘battle tank’, imposing his superior size and strength to wear down the Welterweight kingpin. A win for Joshua Clottey could set him up for bigger paydays against his division’s elite, including rematches with both Cotto and Margarito, whom he both lost decisions to. Not to mention the fame and noteriety of being one of the only few people to ever beat Pacquiao.
One man who has, Erik “El Terible” Morales, makes his comeback against Jose Alfaro in Mexico also this March. Morales, who Pacquiao sent to retirement via 3rd round TKO back in 2006, will be competing in the Lightweight division and working his way back up. At 33 years old, Morales attempts to once again discover the fountain of youth that has eluded him for so long, thus losing his last 4 fights. However, one has to wonder if Morales does indeed recapture the form that made him one of the sports most dangerous fighters, he could enter the mix and challenge both Mexican countryman Juan Manuel Marquez, and Pacquiao at the 147 lb. limit. If so, Morales would not have to drop weight so much which is what really piles on the wear and tear in a fighter’s body through the years. This idea has been thrown around a lot but I think Pacquiao would literally kill him at the Welterweight limit. In my opinion, Morales should never be allowed to step in the ring with Pacquiao ever again. At 147 lbs, prime Morales or not, Pacquiao would obliterate him.
Still, Morales is one man Clottey should turn to, at least in tapes as Morales is the only one to ever deal with Pacquiao’s ferociousness straight up, and come away with a victory. Clottey hopes for the same success in March.
Source: officialscorecard.com
Sad but True; Manny Pacquiao does have something to hide
Sacramento Fight Sports Examiner | Rick Rockwell
The boxing world has been turned upside down over the disastrous failed negotiations between Top Rank and Golden Boy Promotions over the “Fight of the Century”, Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr. Rising young boxing sensation Brandon Gonzales from Sacramento called it “a tragedy for boxing”. And yes it was a tragedy. However, there was something very serious to come out of all this chaos and that was the fact that Manny Pacquiao does have something to hide.
If a man were innocent, he would not hide behind a set dates for blood tests. He would not hide behind excuses. Miguel Cotto, Shane Mosley, Floyd Mayweather Jr, Teddy Atlas, and Oscar De La Hoya are all correct at being suspicious of Manny’s “secret”. Manny Pacquiao is hiding something and it’s something very scary.
Through in-depth investigations, fact checking, countless hours of research, and hundreds of long distance phone calls to the Philippines I have discovered what Manny Pacquiao is TRULY hiding and why he won’t take any blood tests:
Manny Pacquiao is IMMORTAL!!! That’s right, Manny Pacquiao is IMMORTAL!!! You have read it here first. I, Rick Rockwell have broke the “Story of the Century”. Let’s examine what led to my discovery.
* I have discovered that Manny Pacquiao has a huge following which rivals God’s of various religions and cultures.
* Manny Pacquiao has hand speed made of lightning and punches made of thunder.
* When Manny is in the ring, he is “all knowing” and “all powerful”.
* Manny’s footwork defies gravity.
* Manny is so quick that he can be in two places at once.
* Manny has inside him “blood of kings”.
Now, there will of course be other boxers who deny his immortality but Pay no attention to them:
* "I know its Pacquiao but I don’t want people thinking that Manny is super, that nobody can beat him. He is a human being like me.”.. Joshua Clottey (source: EastsideBoxing)
Joshua Clottey is obviously wrong because Pacquiao is not human. He is the pound for pound greatest boxer in the world and he’s immortal.
In efforts to spread the joy of what I've discovered, I hit the streets of Sacramento, CA to find Mayweather Jr fans and get their reactions to my discovery:
* Jason Johnson of North Highlands, CA ... “Are you smoking crack? Pacquiao being immortal? Pacquiao isn’t even as good as Mayweather. He’s ducking Mayweather. He’s scared of Mayweather.”
* Cameron Williams Rancho Cordova, CA... “Did you say immortal? You’ve got your head so far up Pacquiao’s (censored) that you are a fool. Your immortal Pacquiao will get jacked up by Mayweather when they fight.”
* Alan Matthews, Folsom, CA... “Dude, you are hilarious. He’s not even a good boxer. He’s not undefeated like Money Mayweather”.
* Barry Hall, Rancho Cordova, CA.. “Yeah, I’m sure Manny Pacquiao feels like he’s immortal when he’s on all those performance enhancers. Take the tests Manny. Floyd exposed you for the cheater that you are.”
Even in the greatest of discoveries, Mayweather fans are still extremely delusional. How can they continue to be a fan of someone so inferior? How can they still root for a mere mortal when they can root for a superior boxer who is Immortal?
In closing, please note the sarcasm towards the Mayweathers and all the other Pac-haters. However, I do want to leave you with the following comments from Maria Ramirez of Orangevale, CA “Pacquiao’s kindness and love for his fellow countrymen will never be forgotten. So in a way, he is immortal.” Maria, I couldn't have said it any better.
Source: Examiner.com
Joshua Clottey exemplifies the right way to land a superfight
Filipino Sports Examiner | Dennis "dSource" Guillermo
When Joshua Clottey was announced to do what Floyd Mayweather Jr. has been reluctant on doing, which is to fight Manny Pacquiao on March 13, my initial reaction was to say "Wow!".
I could not believe Pacquiao decided to fight such a big threat like Clottey especially when the biggest payday in boxing history is just around the corner.
A loss to Clottey would definitely cost him billions in his local currency and several million dollars.
Pacquiao could've opted for an easier opponent like Paulie Malignaggi, Nate Campbell, Edwin Valero, Juan Manuel Marquez or all these other names that have thrown themselves in the Manny Pacquiao sweepstakes. Each of those names I mentioned would've been quick work for someone in Clottey's caliber.
Many among my peers in boxing even consider Clottey as a bigger threat than Mayweather. Our Boxing Odds Examiner and co-host of the highly popular Boxing Truth radio show John Chavez says the Dallas showdown between Pacquiao and Clottey is great for boxing as it matches not only two names, but two real fighters in a real city. He also told me back when first news broke of the Pac-Clottey clash that Clottey's defense may even be tougher than Mayweather and he does not see one significant area where Clottey isn't better than 'Money'. I, 95% agree. The last 5% Floyd beats Clottey in is self-promotion. Mayweather can talk up a storm and sell bibles to an atheist.
With that said however, Clottey is a throwback Cinderella man type of fighter. The reason why a lot of people were surprised his name was called up to take Money's place is because outside boxing fans who have been following the sport closely, Clottey is a virtual unknown. Clottey took on all comers and was never dominated in any shape or form. Loaded or not, he almost beat Margarito back when the Mexican was a feared man. And if he only let his hands go in the final few rounds against Cotto, he very well could've won that one too. Physically, Clottey is the truth. He has come in the ring at 170 on fight night before and is definitely the biggest and strongest Pacquiao opponent to date. As unlikely his selection seemed, it was also actually a great decision.
Clottey earned the right to fight Pacquiao. He earned it through hard work and by gaining the respect of many within boxing- not by trash talking or over-hyping himself through the media and disrespecting people around him. This historic fight at Dallas stadium could not have been given to a worthier challenger. Clottey is a former welterweight champion and is a number one welterweight contender. Mosley was scheduled to fight Berto then and Money was busy kicking the Neveda desert sand.
This is Clottey's chance of a lifetime. If he is tough and rugged enough as it is, the motivation of beating the biggest name in boxing and the promise of fame and riches that it brings can only motivate him and make him that more dangerous. You got to remember, Dela Hoya, Hatton, Cotto, Mosley and Mayweather have tasted superstardom before. Clottey on the other hand has always had to peek in from the outside.
Don't ever estimate a man's hunger and desire to fulfill his dream. Clottey is no sacrificial lamb and will not lay down for anyone. If anything, his record is proof of it. Don't expect a Pacquiao knockout win, but do expect Clottey to go for the win or go down trying.
Source: Examiner.com
Josh Clottey and The Solid Opposition
January 27th, 2010
Julie Cockerham
First noted are the reactions. With the mega bout between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao decimated by trivialities, both fighters have turned away from each other to exert their dominance elsewhere. It took almost no time for Bob Arum to step in and ostensibly brush over the disappointment by placing Welterweight contender Joshua Clottey in Mayweather’s stead. While Arum has undoubtedly overstated the attractiveness of the substitute bout, it is compelling enough to draw interest.
Pacquiao should not be chastised for cutting the stalemate with Mayweather short. After all, the dissolution of the super bout didn’t see him off to graze leisurely in a field of lighter weights. Instead, he chose a solid challenger. And this challenger has a formidable hunger to succeed at the highest level. He won’t likely take this opportunity for granted.
Joshua Clottey presents a different kind of opposition than what Pacquiao has faced. It is crucial not to consider him as merely the vanquished of the vanquished. True, the chain exists: Clottey lost to Miguel Cotto who lost to Pacquiao. But Clottey’s loss was controversial, and to many eyes he had actually won the fight. Obviously, the controversy in this case helps to legitimize the contest with Pacquiao. It is the ultimate adage in boxing that styles make fights. The two styles that will meet in Texas on March 13th could potentially make for an interesting contrast.
Classifying the style of Clottey is somewhat challenging. He is mindful of defense, utilizing a high guard; but his style isn’t exactly defense driven. He can punch powerfully and effectively in combination; but his style isn’t exactly offense driven either. What he does exhibit is his own individual arsenal of skills. It’s an arsenal that can be effective, but is mostly so when Clottey remains focused, and when he does not allow himself to be rattled by his opponent’s tactics. When he retains composure, he has proven the quality of his style, and it has recommended him to contender status.
Traditionally, the biggest stages have not brought the greatest rewards for Clottey. At times, it has seemed to be the result of sheer misfortune. He lost a title shot to Antonio Margarito in a frustrating 12 round decision in Atlantic City in 2006. Reportedly he had broken his hand during the bout, an injury that would obviously have impeded his punch output. It left him to be stalked down by Margarito. It is worth mention, though, that Clottey fought Margarito at a time when others were not so eager to get into the ring with him. This was prior to the notorious hand wraps incident, back when the power of Margarito’s punches was assumed to be granted by nature alone. Whether modified at the time or not, Margarito was not able to dispose of the opponent who was lessened by a busted hand.
Clottey was coming off of a five fight winning streak when he met Miguel Cotto in the ring in New York last June. In this outing, his technique was tedious to watch. The performance was in large part due to his perceptible loss of focus. He spent the evening stifled behind his high guard. He held his arms in front of his face in a manner so unrelenting, it seemed like he must have been obstructing his own vision. Good defense is traditionally a strong attribute, but that’s only true when the defensive actions are fluid and interchangeable. Literally walling up the body as a means of protecting it limits the capability to initiate attacks. It interferes with the response to the timing and rhythm of the opponent. It interrupts effective exchange. “Hit and don’t be hit” may be the mantra on unbloodied lips, but a defense that forces an overly conservative punch output will generate a poor figure on scorecards.
In the fight against Cotto, Clottey’s offense was essentially pared down to sporadic bursts of activity. He spent much precious time enshrined behind the safety of his arms, and he seemed to become the victim of his own pent up energy. He would punch aggressively in combination, often lunging forward as he did so. At times, he became awkward and was thrown off balance. Still, these bursts were met with some success, because Cotto was moving forward in a relatively straight line. But Clottey’s unyielding preoccupation with protecting himself cut these successful onslaughts short, and he ceded points to Cotto. Clottey was disappointed with the result, and he wasn’t alone.
For Clottey, what will happen in Texas on March 13th probably comes as an uncommonly pleasant surprise. Part of Clottey’s determination to beat Cotto was doubtlessly fueled by a potential match up with Pacquiao. When he lost that fight, he most likely saw the opportunity evaporating in front of his eyes. Circumstances shifted across the boxing landscape, and now Clottey sees his chance coming around again.
What will the bout actually look like? In the best case scenario, Clottey will retain composure and will not allow a repeat performance of the one against Cotto. There are certain things he simply must not do if he wants a chance at a decisive victory over Pacquiao. He needs to be prepared for Pacquiao’s spectacular and peculiar choreography. Not simply for the obvious reason that any fighter prepares for his opponent’s style, but because he needs to be mentally prepared for it. Pacquiao will address him with a rate of speed unfamiliar to him. The punches will not only come at rapid pace, but also with power and at unforeseeable angles. This is Pacquiao’s magic, and it is very difficult to dispel. Most of Pacquiao’s opponents of late have looked like they’re shadowboxing some menacing spirit. They cannot target the cause, but are nonetheless left to react to bruises on their faces and dents in their sides. Pacquiao’s “invisible man” type of style will be the ultimate test of Clottey’s constitution. If he can retain his composure during this fight, he has kicked the bad habit.
Clottey will have to do away with the reliance on his unrelenting guard. This guard is inflexible, and Pacquiao will quickly find a way around it. He will dig beneath the elbows and attack the body. He is sharp enough to throw jabs and straight hands right between the gloves. If Clottey doesn’t use his guard wisely and sparingly, he will give away points in every round. He has to fight Pacquiao. And it’s not difficult to draw him into a fight. He enjoys active combat. Clottey should use his size and strength as a combined advantage and come forward. The chances of hurting Pacquiao increase with the level of activity. He certainly cannot be harmed by a man encased in a shell.
In the end, even if Clottey does not emerge victorious, he can still increase his reputation by putting on a proud display commensurate with his abilities. That alone would set him apart from the pack. If it is Pacquiao who does as is widely expected, and wins the fight, he will have yet another gleaming jewel to add to his crown. But when the excitement subsides, the issue of greeting the stalemate with Mayweather will inevitably arise. And again will come the exposure to petty wars waged outside of the battle grounds, where the possibility for a decisive clash is dissolved day by day in wasted energies.
Source: 8countnews.com
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Ghanaians rally behind Joshua Clottey
By Prince Dornu-Leiku
WBO Welterweight title challenger Joshua Clottey has received the full backing of his countrymen ahead of March 13’s big fight against Manny Pacquiao. Clottey goes into the fight as a huge underdog against the man who has won seven world titles in seven weight categories but Ghanaian boxing chiefs led by former world champion Azumah Nelson have reposed a huge confidence in the 32 year old Joshua Clottey.
“My fear is that Manny Pacquiao is a southpaw because they are hard to fight but Joshua has given us an assurance that he knows how to fight southpaws so I am relieved. I will advise Joshua to train hard but I know him and I know that he will not rest. We will be there to support him physically and mentally,” stated Hall of Famer Azumah Nelson at the press conference organized by the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) in Accra this morning to show support for Joshua Clottey. Azumah, now Technical Director of GBA, was surrounded by the bigwigs of Ghanaian boxing as well as top government officials on the high table at the press conference as the nation formally threw support behind the boxer. Clottey who like many of the country’s top boxers have endlessly criticized the GBA for a lack of support, confessed that he goes into the fight against Pacquiao feeling like he is fighting for Ghana for the very first time. “I am encouraged by what I am seeing and hearing today and for the first time I am thinking about the nation which will make things harder for Manny Pacquiao. The nation didn’t support us much in the past but if now they are ready to get behind us, that is the best motivation I can get. And I promise to win the title for Ghana,” Clottey told the press conference at the Ohene Djan Stadium in Accra.
Joshua still battling US immigration officials in Accra for his trainer Godwin Dzanie Kotey and assistant Daniel Clottey to get visa clearances to travel with the boxer to the US, was very emotional on the issue pleading with the US Embassy to even issue a two-month visa for the trainers and it will be enough. He even made a plea to Ghana President Atta Mills to personally get involved to help with the visa application. “The nation is with you in spirit and we pray to God to guide you unto victory. The NSC will also take over the visa issue so that Alloway can travel with Joshua,” said Worlanyo Agrah, CEO of the National Sports Council (NSC) of Ghana before leaving the room of the press conference and returning few minutes later with the promise that the necessary contacts are being made for Clottey’s trainer to be issued with the visa.
Clottey meanwhile is scheduled to depart Accra for the US on Friday hopefully with coach Alloway to begin final preparations for the big fight on March 13. He has again assured his countrymen that nothing will stop him from beating Manny Pacquiao even if the stakes are highly placed against him. “I am taking this fight not for the money but to win the title. I know its Pacquiao but I don’t want people thinking that Manny is super, that nobody can beat him. He is a human being like me. He has lost three times and I have also lost three times. We speak, laugh and share jokes together. I promise that I will dethrone him,” Joshua Clottey said.
Source: ghanaweb.com
And Clottey wept
The US Embassy in Accra's decision to deny Joshua Clottey, former IBF Welterweight champion's trainer, Nii Kotey Dzanie, has really saddened them.
In a well attended press conference in Accra yesterday, the emotionally-stricken Clottey broke down in tears, mid-way during the program, following his trainer's travelling documentation hitches.
The boxer revealed that a trainer plays a key role in the outcome of boxing bouts; an assertion WBC official, Atta Eddi Pappoe attested to.
Refreshingly, Mr. Worlanyo K. Agra, upon hearing the boxer's plight promised to use his good offices to intervene.
After some few contacts outside the press conference, Mr. Agra walked in to give the assurance that his contacts via telephone proved profitable and that the signs are clear on the wall that Nii Kotey will fly out with the boxer for the big bout in March.
At the time of going to press, the GBA Public Relations Officer, Alhaji Amin Lamptey, orchestrator of the press conference, confirmed that the US Embassy had promised to issue the visa to the trainer.
Source: modernghana.com
In a well attended press conference in Accra yesterday, the emotionally-stricken Clottey broke down in tears, mid-way during the program, following his trainer's travelling documentation hitches.
The boxer revealed that a trainer plays a key role in the outcome of boxing bouts; an assertion WBC official, Atta Eddi Pappoe attested to.
Refreshingly, Mr. Worlanyo K. Agra, upon hearing the boxer's plight promised to use his good offices to intervene.
After some few contacts outside the press conference, Mr. Agra walked in to give the assurance that his contacts via telephone proved profitable and that the signs are clear on the wall that Nii Kotey will fly out with the boxer for the big bout in March.
At the time of going to press, the GBA Public Relations Officer, Alhaji Amin Lamptey, orchestrator of the press conference, confirmed that the US Embassy had promised to issue the visa to the trainer.
Source: modernghana.com
Joshua Clottey: Pacquiao Is Beatable
Ghana's Joshua Clottey is confident of defeating the current world best pound-for-pound boxer Manny Pacman Pacquiao on March 13 in Dallas, Texas.
The two would vie for Pacman's World Boxing Organisation (WBO) Welterweight crown in the USA in a fight boxing pundits have described as the biggest ever for the Ghanaian.
Addressing the press yesterday in Accra, Clottey, who has lost only thrice in his career, promised to raise the Ghana flag very high on the D-day.
“I will ensure that Ghana's flag is raise very high in the USA by accounting for the Filipino.
“He is beatable and as such I will put up my very best fight ever in my career to ensure that I beat him,” said Clottey who arrived in Accra over the weekend.
On whether Pacquiao's status as a southpaw would pose challenges to him, Clottey said he had never lost to a southpaw and as such he would never succumb to him.
He acknowledged Azumah Nelson's offer to be at the ring side on the D-day to show solidarity, adding that the boxing professor has urged him to go all out and stun the whole world by winning the fight.
Already, 25,000 tickets have been sold for the crunch fight between Clottey (35-3, 21KOs) and Manny Pacquiao. According to reports, boxing fans across the United States are hoping to witness the biggest fight in Dallas, Texas, hence a scramble for tickets to watch one of the biggest fights of the century.
Source: modernghana.com
Ghana all out for Clottey
By NICK GIONGCO
January 27, 2010, 6:08pm
The whole of Ghana is throwing its full support behind Joshua Clottey with the African nation’s premier puncher – Hall of Famer Azumah Nelson – leading the way.
Nelson said Clottey will have his hands full against Manny Pacquiao on March 13 at the Cowboys Stadium in Dallas and the two-division world champion has expressed caution over his compatriot’s chances in the biggest fight of his life.
“My fear is that Manny Pacquiao is a southpaw because they are hard to fight but Joshua has given us an assurance that he knows how to fight southpaws so I am relieved,” Nelson said in a story that came out in eastside boxing.com.
Knowing that Pacquiao is a truly formidable foe, Nelson, who held world titles at featherweight (126 lbs) and super-feather (130 lbs), said he will “advice Joshua to train hard but I know him and I know that he will not rest.”
The 51-year-old Nelson, who turned pro in 1979 but had his last fight in 2008 after a ten-year hiatus, now holds the position of technical director in the Ghana Boxing Authority.
Meanwhile, Godwin Dzanie Kotey, who had previously worked Clottey’s corner, is expected to arrive in New York anytime this week from Ghanaian capital of Accra in time for Clottey’s departure for his training camp in Fort Lauderdale in Florida.
The last two weeks, Clottey, a 3-1 underdog against Pacquiao, been working out at John’s Gym in the Bronx, New York.
Source: mb.com.ph
January 27, 2010, 6:08pm
The whole of Ghana is throwing its full support behind Joshua Clottey with the African nation’s premier puncher – Hall of Famer Azumah Nelson – leading the way.
Nelson said Clottey will have his hands full against Manny Pacquiao on March 13 at the Cowboys Stadium in Dallas and the two-division world champion has expressed caution over his compatriot’s chances in the biggest fight of his life.
“My fear is that Manny Pacquiao is a southpaw because they are hard to fight but Joshua has given us an assurance that he knows how to fight southpaws so I am relieved,” Nelson said in a story that came out in eastside boxing.com.
Knowing that Pacquiao is a truly formidable foe, Nelson, who held world titles at featherweight (126 lbs) and super-feather (130 lbs), said he will “advice Joshua to train hard but I know him and I know that he will not rest.”
The 51-year-old Nelson, who turned pro in 1979 but had his last fight in 2008 after a ten-year hiatus, now holds the position of technical director in the Ghana Boxing Authority.
Meanwhile, Godwin Dzanie Kotey, who had previously worked Clottey’s corner, is expected to arrive in New York anytime this week from Ghanaian capital of Accra in time for Clottey’s departure for his training camp in Fort Lauderdale in Florida.
The last two weeks, Clottey, a 3-1 underdog against Pacquiao, been working out at John’s Gym in the Bronx, New York.
Source: mb.com.ph
Pacquiao-Clottey can break US gate record
BY JUN MEDINA Special Correspondent
The Manny Pacquiao-Joshua Clottey March 13 fight has the golden chance of breaking the record for the biggest attendance in a covered arena in the United States as it has sold more than 20,000 tickets in just four days.
“The public response is just unbelievable,” said Top Rank Promotions spokesman Lee Samuels from Las Vegas. “We are happy to report that since ticket sales started last Saturday [January 23] more than 20,000 tickets have been snapped up by boxing fans.”
Most of the tickets already sold were the expensive ones, Samuels said—those in the $100, $200, $300 up to the most expensive $700 ringside seats.
“We still have thousands of tickets for $50 and up, which are available for families who simply want to have a night of boxing excitement and fun,” Samuels said.
He said the presence of substantial numbers of ethnic Filipinos in Dallas and nearby areas plus the huge Hispanic population who love boxing would boost interest in the fight dubbed as “The Event.”
According to veteran American boxing scribe Michael Marley, the current record is 63,315 paid attendance generated by the Muhammad Ali-Leon Spinks rematch at the Louisiana Superdome in 1978.
On September 10, 1993, 58,891 people paid to watch the Julio Cesar Chavez-Pernell Whitaker super fight at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.
Quoting Top Rank Chief Executive Bob Arum, Pacquiao’s promoter, Marley said more than 24,000 tickets have been sold by Ticketmaster since Saturday.
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said the new and huge football arena with retractable roof will be configured for 40,000 to 50,000 seats, but that can easily be expanded up to 90,000 seats, depending on demand.
Samuels said they were pleasantly surprised by the early ticket sales results for Pacquiao-Clottey, which he described as a competitive match-up between two of the best welterweights in the world who both come to fight.
If the media interest in the fight is any indication, Samuels said, about 1,000 media men from around the world are expected to cover the fight, the first boxing event in the new Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
“Manny Pacquiao is the best fighter in the world. He has speed, superb footwork and explosive power in both hands,” Samuels said. “Josh Clottey is certainly a worthy, dangerous challenger—bigger, stronger and tough—who has never been stopped.”
What makes Clottey dangerous are not only his toughness and size advantage but also his being “hungry for a world title” and the fact that he has a game plan against the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.
“I expect Clottey to be aggressive throughout the fight because he feels that’s his only chance against Manny,” Samuels said, adding that a big, tough and aggressive fighter like him, who has pop in his punches, could pose a real challenge for Pacquiao.
Source: manilatimes.net
Joshua Clottey Is Cleaning The Corner Floyd Mayweather Jr. Crapped In
by Kevin Riley
Manny Pacquiao and Joshua Clottey were standing underneath the world's largest high-definition video display in the world's largest domed stadium.
All eyes were focused squarely on them and they knew it. So they smiled gleefully...at each other.
It was a refreshing display of humanity between two fighters who were announcing their upcoming boxing match that's scheduled to take place at the opulent new Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas on March 13.
A date that was originally reserved for Floyd Mayweather Jr. to face Manny Pacquiao at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
But most people know how those obnoxiously inhumane fight negotiations ended up.
Rather than agreeing to fight the Filipino icon who's won championships in seven different weight divisions, Mayweather decided that the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to stage the biggest event in the history of boxing would instead be an excellent time for him to pull down his pants and take a crap.
So he did.
He crapped all over Pacquiao, the sport of boxing, the Nevada State Athletic Commission, the numerous fans who have faithfully supported his career since he first won the National Gold Gloves in 1993, and everyone else in between.
And he seemed to enjoy it.
And now there is crap everywhere .
That's why it's so refreshing that Joshua Clottey is going to be Pacquiao's next opponent.
The fighter, also known as "The Hitter," is everything that Mayweather is not; he's dignified, respectful, aggressive, courageous, and willing to actually square up and fight.
He's the perfect selection to stand in the corner opposite of Pacquiao on March 13 and attempt to clean up the mess that's been left by Mayweather.
Born in the Republic of Ghana and now fighting out of the Bronx in New York, Clottey is 35-3 with 20 knockouts. All three of his defeats are also somewhat controversial:
In 1999, Clottey was disqualified against Carlos Baldomir in the 11th round for head-butting after previously being warned by the referee to stop. At the time he was ahead comfortably on all three of the judge's scorecards.
In 2006, Clottey lost unanimously to Antonio Margarito. But Margarito was later found with illegal plaster in his hand wraps before fighting against another opponent, casting a shadow of doubt on all of his previous victories.
And in 2009, Clottey lost via split-decision in a close, hard-fought battle with Miguel Cotto. Many people watching the fight live think it should have been scored a draw or a split-decision victory in favor of Clottey.
All in all, it's not that difficult to recognize how formidable of an opponent Clottey is for the naturally smaller Pacquiao. He's a legitimate welterweight that's never fought below 140 and he has never been knocked out.
If Pacquiao plans on extending his record to 51-3-2, it's quite apparent that he has his work cut out for him. On the bright side though, I don't think he's going to have to worry about any more crap storms precariously rolling in over the horizon.
Clottey seems ready and willing to put a stop to that immediately.
So from here on out I think we can expect forecasters to call for mostly sunny days with occasional smile storms opening up over the skies, something the sport of boxing can certainly use more of at this point in time.
I'm sure Pacquiao and Clottey will be more than happy to oblige—they seem to enjoy the positive energy.*
Source: bleacherreport.com
Manny Pacquiao – Joshua Clottey: A Great Showdown and Steroid Speculation
By Geno McGahee
Steroids & Boxing
The Manny Pacquiao allegations still linger over boxing and the public is divided somewhere around the middle. It will not affect the upcoming pay per view showdown with Joshua Clottey. The show will go on and it will be very successful. Clottey is a great opponent…far better than Paulie Malignaggi or Yuri Foreman, two other considered challengers.
Clottey has a much better chance to upset the “Pacman” then Ricky Hatton or Miguel Cotto did. His tight defense and consistency is something that Pacquiao will have to figure out. What Team Pacquiao is counting on, I’m sure, is the susceptibility of Clottey to straight punches. That straight left hand coming down the pike would do some serious damage to Clottey, or so they hope. Cotto was able to drop Clottey with a jab. Manny punches very hard and is very quick and his straight left is more powerful than any jab. Clottey will have to be extra defensive and use a very disciplined style, which he seems to do naturally anyway.
The steroid allegation has made many other boxers’ misdeeds resurface, proving that this is not an isolated incident and there should possibly be stricter guidelines.
Jameel McCline, the 4-Time Heavyweight Title Challenger, received more than 12,000 worth of steroids (Stanozolol, nandrolone, testosterone, and tamoxifen) in 2005 and 2006. He never tested positive for any substance, which means that he knew how to play the game and avoid positive testing while using.
James Toney, former Middleweight, Super Middleweight, and Cruiserweight Champion won the WBA Heavyweight Title in 2005 with a decision over then champion, John Ruiz, but would test positive for stanozolol and the decision would be turned into a no contest. Toney insisted that he was given the steroid by a doctor and didn’t knowingly cheat. He would test positive again in 2007 for boldenone and stanozolol.
Shane Mosley, multiple division champion, admitted using steroids prior to 2003, although he stated that he did so without knowledge. Many in the Mosley camp during this time beg to differ. Mosley stated to a grand jury in 2003 that he injected himself with EPO prior to his second bout with Oscar De La Hoya.
Former WBO Heavyweight Champion, Tommy Morrison, admitted using steroids to get an edge on his competition.
Recently, another former WBO Heavyweight Champion, Shannon Briggs tested positive for an illegal substance, although he claims that is was his asthma medication. No further details have emerged.
In 2002, former IBF Light Middleweight Champion, Fernando Vargas, tested positive for stanozolol after a bout with Oscar De La Hoya.
In a competitive sport where millions of dollars can be made, there will be steroid abuse and there will be controversies with loaded gloves and crooked judges. It is unfortunate that boxing has this dark cloud and especially as it hangs over the most popular and best fighter in the game, Manny Pacquiao. At this time, we have to believe Manny to be innocent until proven guilty but some would argue that he has not acted like an innocent man. Time should tell us the truth. For now, we can look ahead to the Pacquiao-Clottey showdown and hope for a great fight.
Allan Green in the Super Six
The Showtime super middleweight tournament lost a fighter in Jermain Taylor. He was scheduled to take on Andre Ward for the WBA Super Middleweight Title and for more points in the tournament, but bowed out after a knockout loss to Arthur Abraham in his first appearance. Allan Green has been eager to get into the tournament and felt that he belonged more so than many of the accepted competitors. He has only lost once in 2007 to Edison Miranda, and when you figure in his medical condition, you can forgive it. He has been flawless since.
Now slated is Allan Green, 29-1, 20 KO’s, as he challenges for the WBA Crown against Andre Ward, 21-0, 13 KO’s, on April 17th. Ward was lightly regarded prior to his title winning performance against tournament favorite, Mikkel Kessler. Now he is a big favorite to not only defeat Green but to go all the way.
Make no mistake, Ward looked great in his fight with Kessler. He used cagy tactics and timing to befuddle and subdue the strong champion en route to a technical decision. Ward fights like a veteran and knows many tricks and although he stands in front of his opponent, he proves hard to hit. Green will have to solve that and is quick enough to find him.
Jermain Taylor is a great fighter but he most likely would not have been mentally in the fight with Ward and would have lost a wide decision. Green is not only mentally in this fight, it’s an opportunity he’s been awaiting his entire career. He has a huge punch and great timing. If his timing is great enough to catch Ward, we will have a new champion and even more excitement in this tournament. This is a great turn for the event.
Source: ringsidereport.com
MANNY PACQUIAO: A PRAYER WARRIOR, AIN’T NEED A METH
By Samuel H. Cilocilo
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 27 Jan 2010
Dauis, Bohol - The “Black Mamba“, Floyd’s uncle, Roger Mayweather recent baseless verbal fuselage against Pacman that he’s into PEDs like the Filipinos “500 years ago against the American soldiers“ smacks of historical ignorance and prison cell paranoia.
He should check the Bible and history books.
Pacman’s secret weapon is prayer to the source of all power - the God of the universe.
His motivation and assurances?, “ If God helps my ring battle, I am invincible..?(.Romans 8:31) and.. not by boxing skill and power or ring savvy but God’s power …..(Zech 4:6)
If you have the ultimate power from God who needs poor substitutes as PEDs?
Uncle Roger should know that during the Philippine-American War 100 years ago, (1899-1902) the Pinoys employed mostly bolo, balut and bravado against the Yankees.
Pacquiao was recently made an adopted son of Bohol. He has now in his BLOOD the courage and invincibility of Dagohoy who led the longest revolt in Philippine history against the Spanish rule for 85 years (1744-1829).
Is it any wonder the “Black Mamba” is crazy to subject Pacquiao to Olympic-style blood test?
Yes. PED is indispensable in boxing.. Prayer Eliminates Detractors.
Source: PhilBoxing.com
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Ticket sales booming for Manny Pacquiao fight
January 26, 2010 | 11:27 am
More than 20,000 tickets have been sold for Manny Pacquiao's March 13 fight against welterweight Joshua Clottey at Dallas Cowboys Stadium, and officials say there could be close to 60,000 in attendance on fight night.
"The first days of sales for boxing events can be about 25% of the total," said Texas boxing publicist Lester Bedford, who's assisting Top Rank and Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones in the Pacquiao-Clottey fight promotion. "There'll be a heavy Hispanic undercard that has yet to be announced, and that could trigger more sales.
"With the fight being in this new stadium there's no history to predict how a boxing event will do. It could go to 50,000, 60,000."
Jones originally arranged a seating plan to accommodate 40,000, and tickets went on sale Saturday through Ticketmaster.
The undercard could feature the return of former world welterweight champion Antonio Margarito, who had his boxing license revoked by the California State Athletic Commission February 2009 after officials removed plaster-caked inserts inside wraps on both of his hands before being defeated by Shane Mosley last January at Staples Center.
Margarito is planning to apply to get his license restored in Texas next month, and promoter Bob Arum said if Margarito wins the super-welterweight undercard fight against Carson Jones, he'd strongly consider making a Margarito-Pacquiao bout at Dallas Cowboys Stadium later this year.
Bedford said former lightweight world champion Jose Luis Castillo will also appear on the Pacquiao-Clottey undercard.
-- Lance Pugmire
Source: latimesblogs.latimes.com
Manny Pacquiao’s to do list for 2010: Beat Clottey, Destroy Mayweather Jr, Cement Legacy
Sacramento Fight Sports Examiner | Rick Rockwell
2010 can possibly go down as the greatest year for Manny Pacquiao’s boxing career. In one calendar year, Pacquiao can defeat another solid opponent, destroy Mayweather Jr in the “Fight of the Century”, and cement his legacy as one of the Greatest Boxers of All-Time.
Beat Clottey
* “For the first time in a while, we have a fighter that respects Pacquiao. I don’t want to see Pacquiao end this guy’s career, but I do want to see him beat Clottey”… Gio Boone of Sacramento, CA.
I completely agree with these comments. I want to see Pacquiao win but I do not want to see him end Clottey’s career. Clottey has been respectful of Pacquiao so far. He has shown a lot of appreciation for Pacquiao’s character and boxing skills. Here's a few quotes from Clottey about Manny:
* ”This is going to be a hell of a fight. I love Manny Pacquiao.”… Joshua Clottey from the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
* "This is not an easy fight for me. I am fighting the pound-for-pound king,”.. Joshua Clottey from the Manila Bulletin
Destroy Mayweather Jr
I couldn’t have said it any better than John Snyder of Rancho Cordova, CA. “I don’t just want to see Pacquiao beat Mayweather Jr, I want to see him DESTROY Mayweather Jr”. I’m absolutely on board with these comments. With everything that Mayweather Jr has said about and done to Manny, this sport, and the Pacquiao fans, I want to see Pacquiao knock Mayweather Jr into retirement and then into a retirement home. This obviously depends on whether Mayweather will stop running scared long enough to fight Manny.
Cement his Legacy
If Pacquiao can defeat both Clottey and Mayweather Jr this year, he will cement his legacy as one of the greatest boxers of all-time. Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvin Hagler, Joe Louis, Rocky Marciano, and Muhammad Ali can move over and make some room for Manny Pacquiao; because he will have defeated almost every top boxer in 7 weight classes. Now, it’s not easy for me to push Hagler aside because he’s my favorite boxer of all-time. However, Manny’s accomplishments warrant his rise to the top of the sport’s Greatest of All-Time list. He will have earned a spot at the table of Boxing Immortality.
Source: Examiner.com
Clottey Tabs Former Trainer Godwin Kotey for Pacquiao Fight
Posted by Ramon Aranda on 01.26.2010
The two will reunite for March 13.
Joshua Clottey is going back to former trainer Godwin Kotey of Ghana for his March 13 date with Manny Pacquiao. It's been nearly six years since the two last worked together but they'll be reuniting for this fight.
"Godwin is a very famous trainer in Ghana," said Vinny Scolpino, manager of Clottey. "This is the trainer Joshua has been asking for to prepare for Pacquiao. It will be Godwin who puts together our game plan."
Kotey be in New York on Friday night to meet up with Team Clottey before heading out to their training camp in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
Source: 411mania.com
The two will reunite for March 13.
Joshua Clottey is going back to former trainer Godwin Kotey of Ghana for his March 13 date with Manny Pacquiao. It's been nearly six years since the two last worked together but they'll be reuniting for this fight.
"Godwin is a very famous trainer in Ghana," said Vinny Scolpino, manager of Clottey. "This is the trainer Joshua has been asking for to prepare for Pacquiao. It will be Godwin who puts together our game plan."
Kotey be in New York on Friday night to meet up with Team Clottey before heading out to their training camp in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
Source: 411mania.com
ARIZA AMAZED AT PACQUIAO’S POWER
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 27 Jan 2010
Conditioning expert Alex Ariza who teams up with three-time “Trainer of the Year” Freddie Roach to prepare pound-for-pound boxing icon Manny Pacquiao for his fights, says he is amazed at Pacquiao’s power.
Ariza said Pacquiao moved up from eight to twelve round on the punch-mitts with Roach and was “really good. Good power man, I’m telling you.”
He said when I looked at his body it seems like he hasn’t been off from training since his November 13 WBO welterweight title fight when he stopped Miguel Cotto in twelve rounds at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Ariza said Pacquiao weighed a 150 pounds which is no problem at all since he will be defending his 147 pound title against tough Joshua Clottey on March 13 at the $1.2 billion state-of-the-art Dallas Cowboys Stadium.
Roach’s instructions to clear the gym of onlookers when Pacquiao trains was implemented according to Ariza who said the only non-training member of Team Pacquiao he saw in the gym was Joe Ramos.
Ariza revealed that he hadn’t seen any probable Pacquiao sparring partners in the gym as yet but indicated he wouldn’t be surprised if the first planned day of sparring on Thursday would be brought forward since Pacquiao was looking so good.
Word from the Clottey camp is that the fighter who gave Cotto a rough time in a title fight which many ringsiders felt Clottey won, will set up his training camp in Fort Lauderdale, Florida starting this weekend.
Clottey’s manager Vinny Scolphino was quoted as saying “Joshua is in great fighting shape right now. He is anxious to get into the ring against Pacquiao.”
In a commendable gesture Top Rank promoter Bob Arum will set aside $1 from every ticket sold for the Pacquiao-Clottey fight as well as all the Top Rank fight cards for the rest of the year to the Clinton-Bush Haiti Fund. Already 25,000 tickets have been sold for the Pacquiao-Clottey fight titled “The Event” which means an initial $25,000 to the fund.
Arum actually launched the fund donation during the spectacular double-header at New York’s Madison Square Garden Theater last weekend when Puerto Rico’s Juanma Lopez won the WBO featherweight title with a crushing win over Steven Luevano and Cuba’s sensational Yuriorkis Gamboa annihilated Tanzania’s Rogers Mtagwa to retain his WBA title.
Arum said “helping people is the right thing to do and we are hoping other promoters will join us.”
Source: PhilBoxing.com
Only 39,316 tickets to go: Manny Pacquiao beats Muhammad Ali, JC Chavez
Boxing Examiner | Michael Marley
The number, according to Bob “I Never Lie” Arum, is about 24,000.
The probable maximum number, according to Arum when speaking to Steve Kim at Maxboxing, is 45,000.
I say Uncle Bob is too conservative. I say he’s showing a real lack of imagination with his red hot and smoking Manny Pacquiao product.
We’re talking about the Joshua Clottey-Pacman WBO welterweight title bout set for March 13 at Jerry’s World, Mr. Jones’ swanky football playpen in Arlington.
I say Arum is not shooting for the moon when he should be.
They are calling this “The Event,” aren’t they?
The head of Top Rank is aiming low by margins of 18,315 tickets sold and also by 13,891 ducats peddled.
The magic numbers—attention Dallas Cowbys marketing and publicity machines—are 63,315 and 58,891.
Let me explain as I was at both of these magical boxing events
(Click here to see Freddie Roach irritated at Floyd Mayweather Jr.)
The 63,315 was the paid attendance in the Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, in 1978 when Muhammad Ali beat upstart Neon Leon Spinks in their rematch.
The 58,891 is how many people paid to put their respective butts into seats at the then new San Antonio Alamodome for the Pernell Whitaker-Julio Cesar Chavez superfight on Sept. 10, 1993/
Yeah, the one with the odious majority draw decision, a blatant robbery of Whitaker but we’ll get to that. later.
Then there was the Greg Haugen-Chavez bout in Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, when 132,000 tickets were sold and 136,000 filled the massive soccer stadium but don’t get me started.
Btw, this also took place in 1993, so it's astounding to note that Chavez sold at least 190,000 fight tickets in just two bouts that year. He fought four other times in the calendar year so it's safe to say that 200,000 people paid to watch "El Gran Campeon" fight in person during 1993.
Let’s stick to venues where there is a roof, retractable otherwise.
It’s not even Feb. 1 and Pacman-Clottey has sold almost 25,000 tickets.
The addition of returning from disgrace Antonio Margarito has been leaked but not formally announced. And the Cowboys peddle many football tickets throughout Mexico, especially around Monterey where a Pacquiao-Clottey presser will drive ticket sales south of the border.
The promotion has not even moved into second or third gear so why not aim for the moon, why not try to eclipse San Antonio or even New Orleans?
Greg Marotta, former football agent and nephew of legendary boxing cutman Ace Marotta, has done business with Jones and his staff. Marotta said the Pacquiao-Clottey fight can came close to or surpass the 63,315 and 58,891 attendance figures.
"In 1992 Jerry Jones, through his revolutionary deal with APEX ONE, re-wrote the NFL licensing book.Jerry's philosophy was simple. The Dallas Cowboys were going to return to glory and re-entrench themselves as America's Team-----and the Dallas Cowboys alone deserved to reap the benefits of all that hard work,” Marotta said.
“Why should the apparel licensing pie be cut up in equal parts when not every team put the same product on the field? The Cowboys were committed to greatness and deserved to garner their just financial reward for such commitment. His maverick, risk-taking style translated to other deals also, like Pepsi and American Express. The APEX ONE deal set the tone for how Jerry was going to change the NFL marketing business------he was going to market the Dallas Cowboys to those who wanted to be in business with The Dallas Cowboys. I would not bet against him changing how the great sport of boxing is marketed. He's going to change the entire landscape, once again
"I wouldn't be surprised if Jerry surpassed the 60,000 sold for Whitaker-Chavez. I wouldn't be shocked if he sold out the building. I really wouldn't." When we started the APEX ONE deal the Cowboys were selling single digit percentages of all NFL licensed apparel. It quickly went to 25 percent. Jerry is a results-motivated guy."
Source: Examiner.com
Pacquiao camp off to better start than previous camp
Mississippi Fight Sports Examiner | Brad Cooney
It wasn't too long ago when we were hearing about how Pacquiao conditioning coach Alex Ariza slapped some manners into adviser Michael Koncz. And it wasn't too long ago when we were watching HBO 24/7 and witnessed Freddie Roach and Koncz showing their dislike for one another. In the previous training camp there were several incidents that took place that created a lot of bad blood within the team.
It appears as if in this camp for Joshua Clottey the storms have subsided. Although it's still early, so far there have been no internal issues, no slapping, no public jabbing at one another, and no major distractions. Recently famed trainer Freddie Roach told this writer that the camp is getting off to a good start, " So far so good. Manny is in pretty good shape right now, we will get sparring started a little earlier this time around because camp is a little bit shorter than normal." Listen to the Podcast with Freddie Roach here - http://www.8countnews.com/news/129/ARTICLE/2252/2010-01-23.html
While conducting my tours of the Jackson, Mississippi sports bar scene, I quickly learned that the boxing fans, more so the Pacquiao fans are very happy that it's been quiet so far. I spoke with several of the fans about Pacquiao's normally distraction filled training camps. Bill Boyd of Jackson, a big Pacquiao fan, is pleased, 'So far it seems like Manny's camp has gotten off to a good start. It is nothing like last time, but it is still early. Anything can still happen, but Manny always seems to cut through the bull and ends up winning anyway."
Recently this writer spoke to former Pacquiao sparring mate Shawn Porter, a Jr Middleweight freight train promoted by Prize Fight Promotions. Porter has fought several times up in Tunica, Mississippi and each time displayed relentless speed and power. Porter witnessed what a Manny Pacquiao training camp is all about first hand, " He is the greatest fighter of all time. I am not surprised what he did to Miguel Cotto at all. He is a blessed athlete and his fans are 100 percent behind him at all times. When I got into the ring with him, I said to myself, ' Oh my God, I am about to do this.' Read more about what Porter had to say here - http://www.8countnews.com/news/129/ARTICLE/2166/2009-12-22.html
Porter was in camp when there were plenty of distractions to go around, but this time around? It's all quiet and that probably does not bode well for Joshua Clottey. Pacquiao has shown that he can handle bigger opponents, and he relies on his speed to do it. Freddie Roach agreed that speed is the key, 'Manny is in pretty good shape, he's 148lbs right now. We will use Manny's speed, that's our advantage. Clottey has size and power and we got speed. We will fight a smart fight, a tactical fight. We know that Clottey is no joke, he's never been knocked out, so we are not looking for a knockout. We are looking for 12 hard rounds, but if the knockout comes, it comes."
So far the camp is smooth sailing. The Wild Card Gym is all systems go, and hopefully the fans will get to see a great fight between Pacquiao and Clottey in March.
Source: Examiner.com
Freddie Roach exclusive: secrets behind Manny Pacquiao’s incredible physique
The third part of an exclusive Telegraph Sport interview with Freddie Roach, the LA trainer reveals that:
* Manny Pacquiao’s great physique has been built on “sports science and hard work”
* Pacquiao needs five meals a day and five protein shakes a day while in training camp because he loses weight so rapidly
* Floyd Mayweather “has never been the bravest of fighters”
Roach acknowledges the great work done over the past two years by conditioning coaches Alex Ariza and Teri Tom, who have created a dynamic programme for Pacquiao based on sports science technology.
Roach revealed that the ’secret’ to Pacman’s great physique is the science, nutrition and work ethic combined, a combination of analysis, genetics and sweat and spit. The marriage of old school, and sports science. “Manny Pacquiao’s strength and physique have been built by science and hard work, yes. But there is a real hard work element there. We have to keep weight on Manny, not off, in training camp. He loses weight so fast and gets in condition so rapidly. He responds so quickly – because his work ethic is so incredible. You know – you’ve seen him train many times,” he told me.
“When Manny Pacquiao trains, we have to keep feeding him – five meals a day and five protein shakes a day. When we get closer to the fight we start cutting back on the work because we want him at the weight.”
“I don’t want him at 147 coming into camp. I want him at 155 coming in. You always have to have something to work down to. If you are on weight the whole time…for me that doesn’t work. People say it’s the way to go, but it’s not logical…”
“You need to to come down to your peak weight…”
Roach also re-asserted that Mayweather may be unable, mentally, to walk around with the prospect of a loss on his unbeaten record:
“It is always been a factor. He’s never been the bravest guy in the world. When [Antonio] Margarito was the toughest guy out there, Mayweather wouldn’t fight him. He was offered 8 million dollars a couple of times and he never fought him…never will. He picks and chooses his opponents. He picks the right guys, with the right styles. There is so much controversy in getting a fight together between Mayweather and Pacquiao because they are trying to come up with all these ‘Mayweather Rules’. Either they were trying to get inside Manny’s head, or my head, or they really don’t want to fight us…. Period.”
Source: blogs.telegraph.co.uk
'Clueless' Manny Pacquiao should throw in electoral towel
When he is inside a boxing ring, the last adjective anyone would ever use to describe Manny Pacquiao is “clueless.” Under the tutelage of Coach Freddie Roach, Pacquiao has steadily improved and become the most ferocious and one of the slickest fighters of his generation.
But, when it comes to political games people play in his homeland, some observers think that the Pinoy Idol is heading towards another fight he cannot possibly win, a second electoral thrashing as the “National Fist” seeks a congressional seat from wife Jinkee’s home province of Sarangani.
I stumbled upon this fascinating story on Philboxing.com, a substantive piece authored by the highly educated Granville Ampong. In the column, Ampong quotes a prominent professor and Monsignor from Cebu named Roger Fuentes and Congresswoman Jocelyn Limkaichong and they both opine that Manny should throw in the towel rather than lose his second election in as many tries.
It’s no secret that, when Dazzling Darlene Antonio-Custodio, whipped him by nearly 40,000 votes in his hometown of General Santos City, that Pacquiao put plenty of “bank: into his political operation with sad results.
The professor-priest and the female politician said that Roy Chiongbian, another scion of a political dynasty as is Dazzling Darlene, may beat Pacman in a one-sided manner that even Floyd Mayweather could.
Source: Examiner.com
Monday, January 25, 2010
RON FRAZIER: "CLOTTEY IS A TOUGH CHALLENGE FOR PACQUIAO"
By Percy Crawford | January 25, 2010
"I think the Clottey and Pacquiao fight is an interesting matchup. Clottey is one of those guys that a lot of people avoided because he's a big, strong welterweight, but he's also a defensive-oriented welterweight. So he's kind of a hard guy to look good against, but he's also a guy that takes rounds off. He's going against a smaller guy, so let's see if he tries to enforce his will on the smaller guy in this fight and if so, it could be a very interesting fight…All of those in the know understand that Clottey is a tough challenge for Pacquiao and anything can happen," stated boxing and MMA trainer Ron Frazier as he shared his thoughts on the March 13th clash between Manny Pacquiao and Joshua Clottey. Check out what he had to say about Pacquiao, Clottey, Floyd Mayweather, Shane Mosley and much more.
PC: What would you like to see Mayweather do next considering Pacquiao has moved on and Mayweather has given up on the March 13th date? How do you see Pacquiao-Clottey fight going?
RF: Well, first and foremost, I was glad to see Floyd give up on the March 13th date. I think if Floyd and Shane can fight, that would be the megafight of this year and if Floyd goes on to win, that would kind of force Manny's hand. I think the Clottey and Pacquiao fight is an interesting matchup. Clottey is one of those guys that a lot of people avoided because he's a big, strong welterweight, but he's also a defensive-oriented welterweight. So he's kind of a hard guy to look good against, but he's also a guy that takes rounds off. He's going against a smaller guy, so let's see if he tries to enforce his will on the smaller guy in this fight and if so, it could be a very interesting fight. If not and he fights his typical fight, he normally comes up a little short when he fights in big fights. he was disqualified against Carlos Baldomir. The Margarito fight he was doing well in and I will give him a pass in that fight because he did break his hand and that affected him I'm sure. I thought the Miguel Cotto fight was his for the taking and for the last 2 ½ rounds, he just didn't do anything and then he complained about the decision, but if he would have stepped on the gas, it wouldn't have been anything to worry about. We'll see and we will see what he brings to the table. Obviously Top Rank knows something because I don't think they would risk a $40 million payday with Floyd Mayweather if they weren't confident that they could beat Joshua Clottey.
PC: Miguel Cotto is moving up to 154 to fight Yuri Foreman. After seeing him at 140 and then 147, how do you see Cotto fairing at 154?
RF: He can go up there and possibly beat a Yuri Foreman. Yuri Foreman is not a big hitter. He has 28 fights and he has 4 or 5 knockouts. That might not be that problematic. He's going to try to outbox Cotto and Cotto is a decent enough boxer, so he could beat guys like Yuri Foreman. I just don't understand how you get blown out in your last fight and then you get a title shot at the next weight. That's what's wrong with boxing to me. That's what's wrong with this sport. You have guys bypassing guys; they don't want to fight this guy and they don't want to fight that guy. I don't care what some of the typical fans say, how does a guy…and I like Cotto. Cotto is one of the nicest guys you ever want to meet. He's a good guy and a good boxer, but you don't deserve a title shot when you just lost to a smaller guy. And he didn't lose close, he got blown out in that fight and now you get a title shot at a higher weight against a bigger guy? What about the other 154-pounders out there? What about the #1 and #2 contenders? What do they have to be saying to themselves? I'm sure they are asking themselves what do they have to do to get a fight and that's my problem with boxing.
PC: Friday Night Fights went through their stage of who is to blame for Pacquiao and Mayweather not fighting. I want to get your opinion.
RF: Bob Arum. I blame Bob Arum more than I blame Pacquiao or Mayweather. Obviously negotiation-wise, those 2 can be difficult to negotiate a fight, but I blame Bob Arum because he is the one that came out and said that they have a done deal and obviously they didn't have a signed deal and everything wasn't agreed upon. And he decided to take it to the media and I think that was the wrong approach. I think Richard Schaefer did it best to kind of negotiate everything behind the scenes. When everything and all of the details were ironed out, then you can come out and say we have a fight, but until then, don't negotiate in the media. I know Bob Arum has no love lost for Mayweather and Oscar De La Hoya probably doesn't have any love lost for Top Rank, so that makes it very difficult sometimes to get things done. Unfortunately, the people that lose the most are the boxing fans. It's a great fight that could have happened and now we may or may not see it.
Hopefully it comes off in the fall. It looks like Mayweather will be fighting someone else and Pacquiao is signed to fight someone else and it's a fight and anything can happen in a fight. All of those in the know understand that Clottey is a tough challenge for Pacquiao and anything can happen; a cut can happen or anything. Unlike basketball and football where you have the next week to perform and you can erase a bad night, in boxing, if you have a bad night, titles changes hands and money goes out of the window. We've seen it in the history of boxing. I'm sure Joe Frazier was looking forward to fighting Muhammad Ali and defending his title again and all of a sudden, he gets annihilated by George Foreman and he had to backtrack and go in a whole other direction. Time and time again, in boxing, you have a mega showdown getting ready to happen and then you have somebody spoil the party and this could happen. I blame Bob Arum for this because he is the one that came out and announced they had a done deal and they didn't. You're going to have your people in the Pacquiao camp, and his camp can be a little ridiculous in their statements, and so can the Mayweather people from time to time, but my thought on the situation is personally, I don't believe Manny has done any performance-enhancing drugs, but having said that, why are you balking at the test? We've seen him give blood on 24/7 before he fought Ricky Hatton and he blew him out. I think he just didn't want Mayweather dictating to him and he decided he wasn't going to let Mayweather be the boss of him. Hopefully everything goes smoothly and Manny wins his fight in March and Floyd fights and beats Mosley, which I think he could, and we get this fight in the fall.
PC: Good luck with your guys you have coming up. It's always good to catch up with you. Is there anything you want to say in closing?
RF: I hope everybody has a great New Year. I think the situation down in Haiti kind of put things in this sport in perspective. You can love Manny Pacquiao or Floyd Mayweather or Shane Mosley or Berto or whoever, but when human tragedies happen, hopefully people can find it in their hearts to lend a helping hand to those that need it and get away from the BS of calling people names and all of the other nonsense that happens on a daily basis. It doesn't bother me. People can say anything that they want about me and it's not going to affect me, but when a human tragedy like this happens, hopefully people can come together and lend a helping hand.
Source: fighthype.com
"I think the Clottey and Pacquiao fight is an interesting matchup. Clottey is one of those guys that a lot of people avoided because he's a big, strong welterweight, but he's also a defensive-oriented welterweight. So he's kind of a hard guy to look good against, but he's also a guy that takes rounds off. He's going against a smaller guy, so let's see if he tries to enforce his will on the smaller guy in this fight and if so, it could be a very interesting fight…All of those in the know understand that Clottey is a tough challenge for Pacquiao and anything can happen," stated boxing and MMA trainer Ron Frazier as he shared his thoughts on the March 13th clash between Manny Pacquiao and Joshua Clottey. Check out what he had to say about Pacquiao, Clottey, Floyd Mayweather, Shane Mosley and much more.
PC: What would you like to see Mayweather do next considering Pacquiao has moved on and Mayweather has given up on the March 13th date? How do you see Pacquiao-Clottey fight going?
RF: Well, first and foremost, I was glad to see Floyd give up on the March 13th date. I think if Floyd and Shane can fight, that would be the megafight of this year and if Floyd goes on to win, that would kind of force Manny's hand. I think the Clottey and Pacquiao fight is an interesting matchup. Clottey is one of those guys that a lot of people avoided because he's a big, strong welterweight, but he's also a defensive-oriented welterweight. So he's kind of a hard guy to look good against, but he's also a guy that takes rounds off. He's going against a smaller guy, so let's see if he tries to enforce his will on the smaller guy in this fight and if so, it could be a very interesting fight. If not and he fights his typical fight, he normally comes up a little short when he fights in big fights. he was disqualified against Carlos Baldomir. The Margarito fight he was doing well in and I will give him a pass in that fight because he did break his hand and that affected him I'm sure. I thought the Miguel Cotto fight was his for the taking and for the last 2 ½ rounds, he just didn't do anything and then he complained about the decision, but if he would have stepped on the gas, it wouldn't have been anything to worry about. We'll see and we will see what he brings to the table. Obviously Top Rank knows something because I don't think they would risk a $40 million payday with Floyd Mayweather if they weren't confident that they could beat Joshua Clottey.
PC: Miguel Cotto is moving up to 154 to fight Yuri Foreman. After seeing him at 140 and then 147, how do you see Cotto fairing at 154?
RF: He can go up there and possibly beat a Yuri Foreman. Yuri Foreman is not a big hitter. He has 28 fights and he has 4 or 5 knockouts. That might not be that problematic. He's going to try to outbox Cotto and Cotto is a decent enough boxer, so he could beat guys like Yuri Foreman. I just don't understand how you get blown out in your last fight and then you get a title shot at the next weight. That's what's wrong with boxing to me. That's what's wrong with this sport. You have guys bypassing guys; they don't want to fight this guy and they don't want to fight that guy. I don't care what some of the typical fans say, how does a guy…and I like Cotto. Cotto is one of the nicest guys you ever want to meet. He's a good guy and a good boxer, but you don't deserve a title shot when you just lost to a smaller guy. And he didn't lose close, he got blown out in that fight and now you get a title shot at a higher weight against a bigger guy? What about the other 154-pounders out there? What about the #1 and #2 contenders? What do they have to be saying to themselves? I'm sure they are asking themselves what do they have to do to get a fight and that's my problem with boxing.
PC: Friday Night Fights went through their stage of who is to blame for Pacquiao and Mayweather not fighting. I want to get your opinion.
RF: Bob Arum. I blame Bob Arum more than I blame Pacquiao or Mayweather. Obviously negotiation-wise, those 2 can be difficult to negotiate a fight, but I blame Bob Arum because he is the one that came out and said that they have a done deal and obviously they didn't have a signed deal and everything wasn't agreed upon. And he decided to take it to the media and I think that was the wrong approach. I think Richard Schaefer did it best to kind of negotiate everything behind the scenes. When everything and all of the details were ironed out, then you can come out and say we have a fight, but until then, don't negotiate in the media. I know Bob Arum has no love lost for Mayweather and Oscar De La Hoya probably doesn't have any love lost for Top Rank, so that makes it very difficult sometimes to get things done. Unfortunately, the people that lose the most are the boxing fans. It's a great fight that could have happened and now we may or may not see it.
Hopefully it comes off in the fall. It looks like Mayweather will be fighting someone else and Pacquiao is signed to fight someone else and it's a fight and anything can happen in a fight. All of those in the know understand that Clottey is a tough challenge for Pacquiao and anything can happen; a cut can happen or anything. Unlike basketball and football where you have the next week to perform and you can erase a bad night, in boxing, if you have a bad night, titles changes hands and money goes out of the window. We've seen it in the history of boxing. I'm sure Joe Frazier was looking forward to fighting Muhammad Ali and defending his title again and all of a sudden, he gets annihilated by George Foreman and he had to backtrack and go in a whole other direction. Time and time again, in boxing, you have a mega showdown getting ready to happen and then you have somebody spoil the party and this could happen. I blame Bob Arum for this because he is the one that came out and announced they had a done deal and they didn't. You're going to have your people in the Pacquiao camp, and his camp can be a little ridiculous in their statements, and so can the Mayweather people from time to time, but my thought on the situation is personally, I don't believe Manny has done any performance-enhancing drugs, but having said that, why are you balking at the test? We've seen him give blood on 24/7 before he fought Ricky Hatton and he blew him out. I think he just didn't want Mayweather dictating to him and he decided he wasn't going to let Mayweather be the boss of him. Hopefully everything goes smoothly and Manny wins his fight in March and Floyd fights and beats Mosley, which I think he could, and we get this fight in the fall.
PC: Good luck with your guys you have coming up. It's always good to catch up with you. Is there anything you want to say in closing?
RF: I hope everybody has a great New Year. I think the situation down in Haiti kind of put things in this sport in perspective. You can love Manny Pacquiao or Floyd Mayweather or Shane Mosley or Berto or whoever, but when human tragedies happen, hopefully people can find it in their hearts to lend a helping hand to those that need it and get away from the BS of calling people names and all of the other nonsense that happens on a daily basis. It doesn't bother me. People can say anything that they want about me and it's not going to affect me, but when a human tragedy like this happens, hopefully people can come together and lend a helping hand.
Source: fighthype.com
Ring hails Pacquiao as decade's best
By NICK GIONGCO
January 25, 2010, 7:09pm
The Ring magazine has named Manny Pacquiao as the best boxer of the 2000s.
In its March 2010 issue, Pacquiao was listed on top ahead of Floyd Mayweather, Bernard Hopkins, Joe Calzaghe, Juan Manuel Marquez, Winky Wright, Shane Mosley, Marco Antonio Barrera, Rafael Marquez, and Israel Vazquez.
Eric Raskin, The Ring’s contributing editor, wrote that “as far as we’re concerned, Manny Pacquiao is the only choice for number one.”
“In terms of quality of opposition and success across a broad spectrum of weights, nobody else comes close,” wrote Raskin, noting that in the division rankings,
Pacquiao rated No. 2 at super-bantamweight (122 lbs) and feather (126), first at super-feather (130), fourth at super-lightweight (140), and third at welter (147).
The mere fact that Pacquiao was even voted Fighter of the Year thrice (2006, 2008 and 2009) by The Ring and was 23-1-2 in the 00s, is more than enough to name him as the recipient of the accolade.
“And to name anybody else Fighter of the Decade would be unfathomable,” said Raskin.
Pacquiao’s biggest wins during the decade were those over Barrera (twice), Erik Morales (twice), Juan Manuel Marquez, Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, and Miguel Cotto.
Pacquiao is revving up for a March 13 defense of his World Boxing Organization welterweight crown against Joshua Clottey of Ghana at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas, Texas.
Source: mb.com.ph
January 25, 2010, 7:09pm
The Ring magazine has named Manny Pacquiao as the best boxer of the 2000s.
In its March 2010 issue, Pacquiao was listed on top ahead of Floyd Mayweather, Bernard Hopkins, Joe Calzaghe, Juan Manuel Marquez, Winky Wright, Shane Mosley, Marco Antonio Barrera, Rafael Marquez, and Israel Vazquez.
Eric Raskin, The Ring’s contributing editor, wrote that “as far as we’re concerned, Manny Pacquiao is the only choice for number one.”
“In terms of quality of opposition and success across a broad spectrum of weights, nobody else comes close,” wrote Raskin, noting that in the division rankings,
Pacquiao rated No. 2 at super-bantamweight (122 lbs) and feather (126), first at super-feather (130), fourth at super-lightweight (140), and third at welter (147).
The mere fact that Pacquiao was even voted Fighter of the Year thrice (2006, 2008 and 2009) by The Ring and was 23-1-2 in the 00s, is more than enough to name him as the recipient of the accolade.
“And to name anybody else Fighter of the Decade would be unfathomable,” said Raskin.
Pacquiao’s biggest wins during the decade were those over Barrera (twice), Erik Morales (twice), Juan Manuel Marquez, Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, and Miguel Cotto.
Pacquiao is revving up for a March 13 defense of his World Boxing Organization welterweight crown against Joshua Clottey of Ghana at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas, Texas.
Source: mb.com.ph
Ormoc prizefighter eyeing bout in Pacquiao-Clottey undercard
Written by Felix N. Codilla III / Correspondent
Monday, 25 January 2010 19:14
ORMOC CITY—A local boxer might play undercard between Manny Pacquiao and Joshua Clottey in March.
Promoters are considering rising star Jhunriel “Quadro Alas” Casimero as one of the featured attractions of the much-awaited bout in Dallas, Texas, on March 13 after he won a major fight last month.
This was bared by councilor Ruben Capahi, chairman of the committee on sports, when Casimero came home recently and received a hero’s welcome from Ormocanons led by Mayor Eric Codilla.
He was taken on a motorcade around downtown, and shook hands and signed autographs at the public market and police station.
The 19-year-old native of Can-untog here beat by technical knockout former world champion César Canchila for the World Boxing Association interim light-flyweight championship at the national stadium in Nicaragua last December 19.
He knocked down the Colombian in the third, sixth and ninth rounds and again twice in the 11th round, prompting the referee to stop the fight.
Casimero’s latest win boosted his record to 28 wins (22 knockouts) and two losses.
Casimero also scored an eighth-round win over Ardin Diale last May 28 in Cebu. He also bagged the World Boxing Organization (WBO) Asia-Pacific light-flyweight title when he knocked out Thailand’s Lempetch Sor Veerapol in the fifth round on October 3, 2008. He is now ranked No. 4 by the WBO.
Before turning professional, Casimero started at small boxing matches held during fiestas and Charter Day at the city plaza. His promising talent was first noticed when he won gold at the Eastern Visayas Regional Athletic Association meet in Ormoc in April 1996. He further shone at the Palarong Pambansa by winning gold that same year.
Casimero is now in Cebu training for the Pacquiao-Clottey event.
Source: businessmirror.com.ph
Monday, 25 January 2010 19:14
ORMOC CITY—A local boxer might play undercard between Manny Pacquiao and Joshua Clottey in March.
Promoters are considering rising star Jhunriel “Quadro Alas” Casimero as one of the featured attractions of the much-awaited bout in Dallas, Texas, on March 13 after he won a major fight last month.
This was bared by councilor Ruben Capahi, chairman of the committee on sports, when Casimero came home recently and received a hero’s welcome from Ormocanons led by Mayor Eric Codilla.
He was taken on a motorcade around downtown, and shook hands and signed autographs at the public market and police station.
The 19-year-old native of Can-untog here beat by technical knockout former world champion César Canchila for the World Boxing Association interim light-flyweight championship at the national stadium in Nicaragua last December 19.
He knocked down the Colombian in the third, sixth and ninth rounds and again twice in the 11th round, prompting the referee to stop the fight.
Casimero’s latest win boosted his record to 28 wins (22 knockouts) and two losses.
Casimero also scored an eighth-round win over Ardin Diale last May 28 in Cebu. He also bagged the World Boxing Organization (WBO) Asia-Pacific light-flyweight title when he knocked out Thailand’s Lempetch Sor Veerapol in the fifth round on October 3, 2008. He is now ranked No. 4 by the WBO.
Before turning professional, Casimero started at small boxing matches held during fiestas and Charter Day at the city plaza. His promising talent was first noticed when he won gold at the Eastern Visayas Regional Athletic Association meet in Ormoc in April 1996. He further shone at the Palarong Pambansa by winning gold that same year.
Casimero is now in Cebu training for the Pacquiao-Clottey event.
Source: businessmirror.com.ph
PACQUIAO TO GET CRACKING ON TUESDAY
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 25 Jan 2010
Manny Pacquiao, the reigning pound-for-pound king and boxing icon will get cracking in his preparation for “The Event” with former world champion Joshua Clottey at the state-of-the-art $1.2 billion Dallas Cowboys Stadium on March 13, on Tuesday, Manila Time.
When Pacquiao walks into Freddie Roach’s Gym at around 1:00 p.m. he will see people walking out because that’s the way Roach wants it. He knows how serious the fight against Clottey is and he is not taking any chances although he knows Pacquiao likes training with his fans around him.
Nobody but the most essential members of Team Pacquiao will be allowed into the Wild Card Gym when Pacquiao is training but there’s no word on who will be allowed in with rumors typical of the Pacquiao camp claiming that Manny’s trusted adviser Michael Koncz won’t be allowed in. If by chance the rumor turns out to be true then it will be a test of just how much Pacquiao is in control of his own training camp.
Conditioning expert Alex Ariza who had a minor altercation with Koncz during the Baguio City training camp as Pacquiao prepared for the WBO welterweight title fight against Joshua Clottey told us he hadn’t seen Koncz the two days that Pacquiao worked out at the gym but didn’t wish to say anything that could spark unnecessary tension within Team Pacquiao.
Pacquiao himself has told us more than once that he trusts Koncz, values his loyalty and says Koncz does what he asks him to.
For his part Koncz looks after Pacquiao’s needs 24/7 and doesn’t bother about anybody else, except perhaps Manny’s wife Jinkee, or what anybody else has to say.
Ariza said they took a day off Sunday which is normal but that they would get cracking on Monday as both he and Roach realize they cannot take Clottey for granted because a hungry fighter is always a dangerous opponent.
Ariza said he would know about who Roach has picked as sparring partners for Pacquiao even as there were indications he could start sparring sooner than later because the seven division world champion looked like he hadn’t taken a break after the November 13 fight against Cotto.
Ariza told us he plans to get Pacquiao working on his rigorous strength and conditioning exercises on Monday when he shows up at the gym.
Source: PhilBoxing.com
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