Pacquiao vs Clottey fight week events

Philippine boxer and pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao will square off against Ghanaian Joshua Clottey with Pacquiao's WBO welterweight title belt at stake at the new $1.2 billion Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

The general public has an opportunity to attend and watch several pre-fight events.

Updated Clottey Training Photos
Scheduled Events >

Fight week will include the following scheduled events:

Open Workouts:

Monday, March 8

1:30 pm: Joshua Clottey

2:00 pm: Humberto Soto

Tuesday, March 9

1:30 pm: Manny Pacquiao

Wednesday, March 10

12:30 pm: Official Press Conference begins at Cowboys Stadium – East Plaza (closed to the general public)

1:30 pm: Press Lunch Cowboys Stadium – Main Club South (closed to the general public)

Undercard Press Conference:

Thursday, March 11

1:00 pm: Press Conference Begins - Gaylord Texan – Grapevine A&B

Weigh-In (Open to the Public):

Friday, March 12

5:00 pm: On Scale Cowboys Stadium – Outside East Plaza

Current Fight Day Schedule:

4:00 pm: Doors open

5:00 pm: First bout

8:00 pm: Televised fights begin

10:00 pm: "The Event" Pacquiao vs. Joshua Clottey
Pay-Per-View (PPV) Offers >

Tecate is offering a $20 mail-in rebate coupon for the HBO PPV event with the purchase of a 12-pack or larger of Tecate or Tecate Light.

Regional grassroots promotions in select grocery stores give fans the chance to participate in a meet-and-greet with their favorite fighters and take photos with the Chicas Tecate.

Source: Examiner.com

Pacquiao camp update

Mississippi Fight Sports Examiner | Brad Cooney

Manny Pacquiao looks focused and right on track as he prepares for his showdown against big Joshua Clottey. Yesterday Manny sparred with former world champion Steve Forbes. Both fighters gave each other good work. Freddie Roach feels good about where Manny is thus far into his training, " So far so good, everything is looking good so far."

With each camp Manny Pacquiao's popularity grows and grows. The Wild Card has a history of celebrities walking in so that they too can have a brush with greatness. Yesterday actor Ron Perlman, who has a resume that could stack up against Pacquiao's in terms of accomplishments, walked into the gym. Perlman who currently has a role in the hit television show Sons of Anarchy, on the FX channel, summed it all up, "Anytime you can have a brush with greatness and see someone like Pacquiao, you should do it. He's one of a kind."

Manny looks very impressive as he draws closer to his March 13th clash against Joshua Clottey. The camp's atmosphere seems focused, yet relaxed at the same time. Void of any major distractions, this camp seems to be on cruise control. Pacquiao's hand-speed and power were both on display for those fortunate enough to have been in the gym. The pound for pound king got in some good sparring rounds with Steve Forbes yesterday, and looked very good.

8CountNews.com's Peter Czymbor spoke with Pacquiao yesterday and informed him that over 40,000 tickets have been sold. With hearing this, Manny smiled wide. The camp is focused and seems to be right on track so far.

Source: Examiner.com

Trainer Roach thinks his fighter will KO Clottey

Manny Pacquiao ran roughshod through four sparring partners this week, and boxing's pound-for-pound king plans to churn through just as many today.

He has been peppering the speed bag, pounding the heavy bag and doing enough running to make Usain Bolt fall over in a heap. Under the watchful eye of trainer Freddie Roach, Pacquiao is preparing himself to stop Joshua Clottey when they fight March 13 in Arlington, Texas.

"Manny is getting better all the time," Roach said after a training session Friday at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles. "I know Clottey is a big, strong guy. I respect him; he's a great fighter. But Manny, I feel, is going to overwhelm him with his speed and combinations, and I do believe we will be the first one to stop him in 12 rounds."

If it sounds simple, that's because Pacquiao has little trouble when fights are decided in the ring. Things aren't so easy when the fight is contested with words.

That continues to be the case with Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr., after their proposed blockbuster fell through because of drug-testing protocol. Mayweather and his relatives have accused Pacquiao of using performance-enhancing drugs, either directly or by innuendo, and the Filipino champion has balked at taking a blood test within 14 days of a fight.

Pacquiao will instead fight Clottey at Cowboys Stadium, and Mayweather is headed for a showdown May 1 against welterweight champion Shane Mosley. Along with the verbal jabs, Pacquiao and Mayweather can fight over who generates bigger pay-per-view numbers.

"We're not happy with his remarks, and Manny really wants to fight him in the future because of the remarks he made," Roach said. "Manny, sometimes when he's shadowboxing, he shows me how Mayweather fights and how he'll take care of the problem, and I've never seen that before."

Promoter Bob Arum still thinks Mayweather never wanted to fight Pacquiao and that his strict adherence to blood testing -- which is far more extensive than the urine analysis required by the Nevada Athletic Commission -- was his way of getting out of it.

"We don't have to be geniuses to know what they were trying to do. They were trying to get into Manny's head so he'd be discombobulated," Arum said. "Mayweather against Manny is a no contest, no contest. Manny would wipe the ring with Floyd Mayweather."

If that's to happen, he'll first have to defeat Clottey.

The fight appears to be a mismatch on paper, especially considering the rugged fighter from Ghana lost to Miguel Cotto -- the same guy Pacquiao dominated last fall. But just as fights aren't decided with words, they aren't decided on paper, either.

Source: lvrj.com

Joshua Clottey Training Videos

A native of Ghana who is preparing for a March 13 challenge for the WBO welterweight (147 pounds) crown held by seven-division champion, Manny Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38 KOs), of the Philippines, Joshua Clottey (35-3, 20 knockouts), of The Bronx, N.Y., has been speaking with FanHouse from his training quarters facility at Fort Lauderdale's Contender Gym in Fla.

The bout against Pacqauiao is the biggest in the career for the 32-year-old Clottey (pictured above, with trainer Lenny DeJesus), whose only losses were to former world champions, Carlos Baldomir, Antonio Margarito and Miguel Cotto.

Clottey never has been knocked out, and is known for his steller defense and punching accuracy.

Under new trainer, Lenny DeJesus, Clottey claims to be in the best shape of his life heading into the bout with Pacquiao.

"I have more confidence this time around because I'm taking this fight like if I win, I have bigger things ahead. I have so much respect for Manny, so that gives me more confidence because I respect the guy," said Clottey recently, telling FanHouse that he weighed 154 this past Thursday.

"I respect the guy because, if he has the chance, he can stop me," said Clottey. "So I respect him because of that, and because of that, I'm more confident."

Photos such as this one (at right), by Top Rank Promotions, Chris Farina, detail the muscular upper torsoe of Clottey. But you can also check out the live video links of his training that are viewable by clicking below.







Source: boxing.fanhouse.com

No steroid testing for Pacquiao-Clottey fight

By Wallace Matthews / Newsday (MCT)

Manny Pacquiao’s last fight fell apart over steroid testing.

For his next fight, it won’t even be an issue.

Pacquiao, whose negotiations for a projected $100-million megafight with Floyd Mayweather Jr. collapsed in January when he balked at Mayweather’s demands for random, Olympic-style blood testing, will not be tested at all before or after his March 13 welterweight title fight against Joshua Clottey at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

According to a spokeswoman for the Texas Combative Sports Program, the state agency that regulates boxing matches, Texas does not test boxers for steroids unless there is probable cause. "As of this date," the spokeswoman said, "the executive director, William Kuntz, finds he has no good cause to order it."

Kuntz was not available for comment, but Clottey, who lost a split decision to Miguel Cotto at Madison Square Garden in his last fight in June, said he would not request Pacquiao be tested before this fight.

"I don’t want to do that because I respect him so much," Clottey (35-3, 20 KOs) said on a conference call on Thursday. "I don’t think Manny Pacquiao would do that. But if he does, then he’s cheating the sport."

Clottey’s opinion was echoed by his manager, Vinny Scolpino, who said, "We’ll comply by the commission’s rules. If they want to implement further testing, let ’em implement it and we’ll follow it. If Manny is a super-champion, we all hope he’s doing the right thing."

After Pacquiao’s convincing 12th-round TKO of Cotto in November, Mayweather’s camp accused Pacquiao, a former 106-pounder who now fights as a welterweight, of using steroids and demanded he submit to random blood-testing the week of the fight.

Pacquiao, who has never failed a postfight steroid test, refused and for now, what might have been the most lucrative prize fight of all time was put on hold while Pacquiao faces Clottey next month and Mayweather takes on Shane Mosley on May 1.

"Is (Pacquiao-Clottey) a consolation prize? Well, in a way," promoter Bob Arum said. "The fight everyone wanted to see didn’t happen for one reason or another, but who the hell knows? Maybe Joshua beats Manny and Mosley beats Mayweather and then we’re doing a Clottey-Mosley fight. So what? Life goes on. That’s what makes boxing interesting."

Arum said he expects a near-sellout for the fight in an 80,000-seat stadium that will be configured to seat 45,000. "If you believe, as I do, that boxing is a big-time sport, that it isn’t a niche sport or a dying sport, then putting your event in a stadium like this or Yankee Stadium or the new Meadowlands Stadium is a great way to prove it," he said. "It’ll be a great night of boxing. The Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders will be all over the place, there’ll be fireworks, and a terrific main event."

And no steroid testing to spoil the fun.

Source: news.bostonherald.com

Pacquiao-Clottey primer on Solar TV

A dose of boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao is in store for the Filipinos as Solar TV airs some of his memorable fights 15 days before ‘The Event’ when the Filipino ring icon stakes his World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title against Joshua Clottey of Ghana.

The TV special is a two-week series featuring the last 14 fights of the 31-year old boxer considered the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world today, leading up to his March 13 showdown (March 14, Manila time) with Clottey at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium.

The Pacquiao-Clottey primer will be aired nightly at 11 p.m. over Solar TV.

For its initial presentation on February 28, relive Pacquiao’s first shot at full-time stardom when he battles Mexican great Marco Antonio Barrera in their 12-round fight in San Antonio, Texas (Destined For Greatness)

On the first day of March, watch ‘Moment Of Truth’ as Pacquiao battles long-time Mexican nemesis Juan Manuel Marquez in a controversial draw of their 2004 title fight in Las Vegas.

March 2 features his non-title bout against Fahsan Por Thawatchai in the ‘Yanig Sa Taguig’ match, followed by the first of his classic trilogy with Eric Morales (Coming With Everything) on March 3.

Up next on March 4 is his bout with Hector Velazquez at the Staples Center in Los Angeles (Double Trouble) in a fight that serves as prelude to Pacquiao-Morales II (The Battle) on March 5 and Pacquiao-Morales III (The Finale) on the 6th.

Source: mb.com.ph

Pacman all set and rarin' to KO Clottey

By Abac Cordero (The Philippine Star) Updated February 28, 2010 12:00 AM

MANILA, Philippines - Barely six weeks into training and Freddie Roach believes that Manny Pacquiao is ready to fight.

And ready to knock Joshua Clottey out.

“Manny Pacquiao is in great shape. We boxed 11 rounds yesterday with four different sparring partners. With all four of them, he’s looking really good. He’s got the gameplan in place,” Roach told fighthype.com.

Roach said Pacquiao will spar 12 rounds today (Saturday in Los Angeles) and will start tapering off with two weeks left for the fight at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

For this fight, Roach has reduced the number of sparring rounds from close to 150 as in the previous fights to just a little over a hundred. He said they’re not underestimating Clottey but Pacquiao is just as sharp as when he defeated Miguel Cotto last November.

It took Pacquiao just a couple of weeks of training for Roach to feel that both the power and speed were there. And it was just a matter of days for Pacquiao to work on his timing and his strength and conditioning.

“He did such a good job yesterday I almost wanted to give him a day off. But Manny won’t take a day off. We’ll box 12 rounds on Saturday. That will be our peak day then we’ll start tapering off from that point,” said Roach.

The four-time Trainer of the Year recognizes the ability of Clottey but is getting even more confident that Pacquiao will be the first one to knock out the 33-year-old former champion from Ghana.

“I do believe he will be the first person to stop him (Clottey) before the 12th round,” said Roach.

Pacquiao, who fielded questions Friday during a media conference, will head to Dallas on March 8 after a morning session at the Wild Card Gym.

Yet, Clottey remained unfazed. To him, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be up against the greatest fighter of this era, and he’s not going to waste it.

“I have more confidence this time around because I’m taking this fight like if I win, I have bigger things ahead. I have so much respect for Manny, so that gives me more confidence because I respect the guy,” he said.

“I respect the guy because, if he has the chance, he can stop me. So I respect him because of that, and because of that, I’m more confident,” he said.

Source: philstar.com

IF PACQUIAO KO'S CLOTTEY, WILL MORE PED ACCUSATIONS ARISE?

Whether you're willing to accept the fact or not, there are still many that believe Manny Pacquiao is cheating the sport of boxing. He didn't do anything wrong. He never failed a drug test, nor was he listed as a client of a known PED supplier. He simply was accused by a potential opponent – one Floyd Joy Mayweather Jr.

For the most part, Pacquiao supporters still support their man. They mount their keyboards and take to the internet forums and chat rooms in an effort to glorify Pacquiao and trash Mayweather. The Mayweather supporters are standing behind their man on the other side of the line. They too hit the net and trash Pacquiao in order to defend Mayweather. Those stuck on the fence have tried to remove themselves from the hate-filled debate as the "Pactards" and "Flomos" battle it out.

What exactly has caused the debate over the accusations of Pacquiao's alleged PED use to last so long?

The battle is fueled constantly by the principles, as every interview with Manny Pacquiao or Freddie Roach is loaded with Mayweather questions. Likewise, every interview that Floyd Mayweather has been involved in has been loaded with inquiries into Mayweather's thoughts on Manny Pacquiao. And the quotes given by Pacquiao, Roach, and the Mayweathers make great headlines that keep the feud raging on.

As Pacquiao prepares for his March 13 bout with former IBF welterweight champion Joshua Clottey, he has tried in vain to keep his focus squarely on the tough task at hand: the concrete-chinned Joshua Clottey. Clottey has earned the reputation as a guy that can take whatever is thrown at him. The now infamous Antonio Margarito was unable to finish off a one-handed Clottey. Miguel Cotto got the slight nod over Clottey in June of 2009, but was unable to score the knockout. Clottey has stepped in the ring 39 times as a professional and has yet to have been knocked out. To the best of my knowledge, he has never even been so much as seriously staggered, save for the flash knockdown at the hands of Miguel Cotto.

Pacquiao may find himself riding along the edge of a blade on March 13. Struggle for 12 rounds against Clottey, and people will say he didn't take Clottey seriously. Destroy him and some may raise a suspicious eyebrow.

Most are expecting Pacquiao to easily dominate Clottey en route to a decision victory. Some are predicting a knockout. If Pacquiao dispatches of Clottey in a manner similar to that in which he disposed of Ricky Hatton and Miguel Cotto, will the accusations of PED use make a comeback? That may be the question left to those that have sat on the fence regarding Pacquiao's alleged PED use. What do you think? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

Source: fighthype.com

JOSHUA CLOTTEY CONFERENCE CALL TRANSCRIPT

PRESS RELEASE: BOB ARUM: We are a little over two weeks away and we are very excited about the full house we are going to have at Cowboys Stadium with Manny Pacquiao, who is the most exciting fighter in the world today and we couldn’t find a more competitive opponent that Joshua Clottey. Clottey has a heart like a lion and he is a terrifically balanced fighter who comes and gives it everything. We think that whoever wins this fight, at the end of the night, they will be saying that this is the best fight that Manny has ever, ever been in. This is the toughest fighter that Manny Pacquiao, the Fighter of the Decade, has been in the ring with. There are many experts saying they wouldn’t be surprised if Joshua Clottey won this fight.

VINNY SCALPINO: Joshua has been training very hard and his team around has been reporting wonderful things. So we are ready to rumble.

JOSHUA CLOTTEY: I would like everybody to know that I have been training very hard and that the owner of the Cowboys and Bob Arum will be very happy and I want to make everyone happy, that’s what I am doing now. I am training to do my best and to bring my best to the ring.

Can you talk about your confidence level going into this fight?

JOSHUA CLOTTEY: Like I always said, Manny’s a good fighter, he’s the best now. This is my 40th fight in the professional ranks and it is the most special and I’m taking it a special way. I think this is the third time going for the WBO title and my fourth world title overall. I have had a fight with Cotto and now Manny Pacquiao. I was so surprised that I had this opportunity to fight against Manny Pacquiao and when Bob Arum and Top Rank called me about this opportunity to fight Manny Pacquiao, I was so happy and I want to win this fight in a big way.

I think you are right. He does throw a lot of punches. He throws a lot of punches to people when he sees the openings. He won’t see the openings with me. When I block the punches it will always make him think. You see, I have my game plan. I know what is going to happen in the ring. I always come to fight and I always see my openings. My game plan is to chase him, but if he is going to be there, fine.

Do you think you need to throw more punches to win the fight? Against Cotto it seemed as if you needed to throw more…

JOSHUA CLOTTEY: I think you are right. You know, I’m not a flyweight. I am not a bantamweight. I am a welterweight and welterweights only throw punches that connect. I can throw shots which connect and land and cause damage. Not throw a lot of punches that he is deflecting and blocking. If you look at the last fight, I won the last round. He threw punches and I blocked them and I threw punches and they connected. I will throw punches that cause damage.

My training is going to show when I get in the ring, but with Manny Pacquiao you don’t have to miss with him. When he is throwing you have to let him do it. Like you said, they come from many angles. I have my plan.

Manny has made tremendous improvement as he has moved up in weight, which has caused suspicion. Do you have any reason to believe he is doing anything illegal and why aren’t you requiring to take additional tests?

JOSHUA CLOTTEY: I don’t want him to do that because I respect him too much. He is a very nice guy to be honest with you and I feel comfortable around him. He is nice and respects everybody and I know where he is from. I don’t think Manny Pacquiao is doing that thing. If he is doing that thing, he is killing the sport. Between he and God, it is going to some day be a problem. I wouldn’t make him do that steroid thing because I believe in him. I know he throws a pot of punches. I respect him for that so I couldn’t ask him to do that.

What would a victory mean to you?

JOSHUA CLOTTEY: A victory would mean very, very more than a lot to me. That’s why I am so happy about this opportunity. And second, if I beat Manny Pacquiao I am going to be very much happy, because he is the best fighter out there. He is the man now and he’s giving me a chance to fight him and if I beat him, I’m going to be on top of the world. It will be very important to the people in my country and that is very important in life.

What was it like growing up?

JOSHUA CLOTTEY: When I was a young boy growing up I saw the boys in the area and I

said I wanted to fight them. I fought one and then I wanted to fight again like a revenge. I beat him and I became a boxer. My life was not easy for me at all. I had to go all over the world to become champion. I came to America after fighting in England where things were very wrong. Then I came here and things were moving along with Top Rank and Bob Arum and I have to give thanks to them.

These are both your fighters and it must be difficult for you…how do you see this fight playing out?

BOB ARUM: Of course I have and the more I play it over in my head I realize how competitive this fight is going to be. Nobody, with any real certainty, can predict this fight. Everybody knows how Manny Pacquiao fights. Everybody knows the angles that he throws punches from. Everybody knows that Joshua Clottey is a tremendous defensive fighter and can put a real hurting on an opponent. Everybody knows that Clottey is the bigger man and Manny is the smaller man. People talk about how much Manny has gone up in weight, but he really hasn’t gone up much. He couldn’t make 130 so he fought at 135 pounds. He was 138 when he fought Ricky Hatton. If he gets on the scale now at the weigh-in weighing 142 or 143 that’s because he ate breakfast and lunch on the day of the weigh-in, so if he had to he could still make 135 pounds. The idea that suddenly Manny Pacquiao has become a big man is just not true. Joshua has the size and he is a natural welterweight…Manny Pacquiao isn’t and that makes intrigue in the fight. Even Joshua would admit that Manny is the favorite in the fight because he has such a great resume but I can go either way.

What do you think Manny’s weak spots are?

JOSHUA CLOTTEY: No matter what people are going to talk about him, he is the best now. When he beats guys, like in the Cotto fight, he beats guys that don’t have a good defense. I have a defense. I will never say anything bad about the guy because he is the best now. When I walk in the ring with Manny Pacquiao and I lost, I will tell everybody I lost the fight. But I keep telling people I didn’t lose the Cotto fight because I don’t feel that I did. When I walk into the ring, I do what I want to do to win the fight, to do my best.

When I walk into the ring I will know what I need to do to win the fight.

What areas do you need to improve to become great?

JOSHUA CLOTTEY: I trained a lot for this fight. I trained really hard for this fight. I trained when I was in Africa. I run to the beach from my house here and I do everything I can. That is good for me because I am going to be fighting the best guy out there and if I don’t prepare correctly and he is hitting me with the punches he throws, he is going to hurt me so I am protecting myself at the gym. So when I get to the ring I will be fine. I promise everybody a good fight, that’s what I’m telling you.

How surprised were you when this fight came about?

JOSHUA CLOTTEY: I wasn’t really thinking about this fight at all. But I know I can fight anybody and I know I can beat any boxer. It looked like somebody didn’t want to fight. All the guys were talking about Pacquiao vs. Mayweather and it looks like he didn’t want to do it and it’s good for me. If they didn’t do it, I get in. I feel like it was a blessing from God.

Bob, can you talk about the venue?

BOB ARUM: As you will see on March 13, there is no stadium or arena in the world like Cowboys Stadium. It is an architectural marvel – just the paintings alone. But that is not what makes an exciting event. What makes the event super exciting is that screen that goes from one 20 yard line to the other and is super high definition. The screen will be 30 feet above the ring. Every replay and every punch in the fight will be seen in really high definition. Indeed, as pretty as the Cowboy Cheerleaders are, wait until you see them on that big screen, it is something really special. Until you see it and until you’re there, it is very difficult to describe the experience. I know that they just had the NBA All Star Game and the players were on the bench waiting to get in as the game was going on and many of them were watching the game on the screen rather than right in front of them on the floor.

When I saw the Cowboys-Eagles game sitting in Jerry Jones’ box, I found myself half the time watching the game on the screen than watching the field just because just because the picture is so incredible. I think that’s what helps make it. It has lounges, the Patrón Lounge, the concession stands. Yankee Stadium has a lot of that but it is really an experience to be in the huge arena and watch an event.

What about Margarito, was it a disappointment he not being on the card?

BOB ARUM: We are disappointed. The Texas Commission said they would have to hold a hearing and if they did we realized we wouldn’t get a result until it was too late. So instead we did the Humberto Soto/David Diaz lightweight championship in its place.

Did steroid testing come up in the negotiations for this fight?


BOB ARUM: My view is that is not a topic for negotiation. That is something for the commission to decide. If a boxer would like more stringent testing than is applicable in that state, he should go before the commission, present his case and let the commission decide. It is not for a bunch of amateurs to start talking about and start making demands – that is what’s called chaos. That’s what you have to do and that’s what you have commissions for. You go before the commission and you tell them I want such-and-such done and you let the commissioners decide – that’s what they are getting paid for – to handle those kind of questions.

VINNY SCOLPINO: I couldn’t agree with Bob more. If the commission wants to implement other drug testing rules, let them implement them. We abide by the rules that are set for us then we move forward. Manny is a super champion and we all hope he is doing the right thing. If the commission finds it in their drug testing – they find it. We were going to abide by the rules set by the state. W are professionals in the sport, Joshua is a professional and if that commission in that state says to do this, we do it.

Is 40,00 people still a target?

BOB ARUM: We didn’t set the stadium up for 40,000, we set it up for 45,000 and we are on our way to selling out.

There are a lot of Hispanics in Dallas. We are selling a lot of tickets to Hispanics. On the principal undercard bouts we have Hispanics. We have Jose Luis Castillo fighting Alfonso Gomez, John Duddy, who is Irish, fighting Michael Medina, a Mexican from Monterey, middleweight, and David Diaz against Humberto Soto for the WBC lightweight title. On the non-televised portion of the card, it is loaded with Hispanics like Roberto Marroquin of Dallas – the Hispanics and Mexicans will be well-represented. Manny Pacquiao has fought many Mexicans and when I was down in Mexico identified Manny as a Filipino/Mexican and the Mexicans in California feel that Manny is one of them.

When did you feel it was a reality to be having a fight at Cowboys Stadium?


BOB ARUM: Well, you remember back when we were involved in the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight, Jerry had called me at home. I knew Jerry, he had come to a couple of fights and he said, ‘Bob, we want the fight in Cowboys Stadium.’ We set up a meeting and Mayweather’s guy, Richard Schaefer, canceled the meeting the day before and it was kind of embarrassing for us. I knew in my mind that Cowboys Stadium would be a great venue for this fight. When the Mayweather fight fell out and the fight was made with Joshua Clottey, the first call I made was to Jerry Jones. I told him I want to come out and make a deal with Cowboys Stadium. He invited me out and it was in conjunction with the Cowboys-Eagles game. I was there that night and the next day, Jerry, Todd [duBoef] and myself and Jerry’s staff and Steve Jones had a meeting and we made a deal.

Could you get more than 45,000?

BOB ARUM: That’s up to Jerry. Right now everyone would have a tremendous view of the fight. We could expand but right now we are on target to sell the 45,000 tickets and we’d be very happy doing that. I know yesterday we sold 350 tickets and we are on course to do that again today. By the time the fighters get into town, we would have sold well over 40,000 tickets. We would then have 3,000 or 4,000 tickets to go and it would be up to Jerry to expand.

Are you worried about the training situation?

VINNY SCOLPINO: I think Lenny [DeJesus] brings a lot of experience, probably over 40 years and he was with Pacquiao during many of his fights. Lenny has always been more than just a cut-man, he also trains a lot of fighters. He brings a wealth of experience, he knows the business, he knows what to do in the ring whether he’s a cut man or whether he’s a trainer. So we are comfortable. Joshua is comfortable with him and we are ready to rumble. We feel comfortable coming out of that rind with a victory with what we are doing. Josh was training in Ghana with another trainer and we tried to get that trainer in but we weren’t sitting on the sidelines hoping and praying that that trainer would get in. We had plans. If the trainer joined us from Ghana we would love it. Right now we are comfortable with what we have and Josh is a true professional. Josh is so excited to get in that ring with Manny. We are ready to rumble. When that bell rings, everything changes. Right now they are respectful of each other and are true professionals, but when that bell rings, those hats come off. Fists are going to fly.

Are you disappointed your trainer could not get to the States, there were reports you brodke down and wept, is that true?

JOSHUA CLOTTEY: It is true. We have been together for a very long time. If he could get his visa, I would fly him here. They are not going to give him his visa and I can’t wait for him because I have to get ready to fight and my life is on the line. When I get in the ring my trainer will give me motivation. I had him in Ghana for weeks and that matters. In other fights, my cut man, Lenny, was pushing me a lot so I thought I would use him as my trainer.

Are you ready for Manny Pacquiao and how do you plan on beating Manny Pacquiao?

JOSHUA CLOTTEY: I am very much ready for Manny Pacquiao. I keep telling people that I am going to fight and I know it’s not easy. It’s not going to be easy for me and it’s not going to be easy for Manny Pacquiao because I am going to fight the guy who the people think is the best.

I have never watched his tapes. I never sit down and watch him and I never sit down and talk about him. The only thing I think about is me and what I have to do when I come into the ring. I have been training very hard for myself to get to the ring and do my best. When I get to the ring, the fight will start and that’s what I’ll do.

Will your size make a difference in the fight like it did in the Cotto fight?

JOSHUA CLOTTEY: I am not talking about whether I am bigger or stronger than Manny Pacquiao. I don’t want to talk like that because little guys beat the big guys out there. I am not thinking about that. The writers make the story so good. I know I’m big and I’m strong but I’m not thinking about that. I just train to get in the ring to do my best. I just know what kind of a fighter he is. I just have to be me. That is most important to me.

I have known Lenny and he is a very good man. He was my cut man with Cotto. So my trainer could not get a visa and I picked him to be my trainer for this fight. Miguel Diaz used to be my cut man but he will be with Manny Pacquiao for this fight.


Do you feel Pacquiao-Mayweather could be made in the future?

BOB ARUM: Life goes on, that what these boys fight for. If Joshua beats Manny, who knows? If Mosley beats Mayweather then we do a Mosley-Clottey fight. That’s what makes boxing interesting. If I did a walkover fight, for example, Pacquiao and Malignaggi, which was at one point bandied about, people would say I was just keeping Pacquiao busy and they would have been right. But there is danger in Manny losing this fight. Clottey is a very dangerous fight. There is also the chance that Mosley goes back to the fountain of youth, which he got for the Margarito fight and if he gets in the ring with Mayweather could very well beat Mayweather – the Mosley that fought Margarito. If these were walk-over fights, nobody would give a damn. The fight that everyone wanted to see didn’t happen for one reason or another and I’m not here on this call to cast blame on the other side, but on March 13 we have a really good fight, a competitive fight, a fight that could go either way and a fight that will be Manny Pacquiao’s toughest fight.

Did you say you haven’t watched tape of Manny’s fights?

JOSHUA CLOTTEY: That is right. I never watch tapes of people. I don’t like watching tapes but I know how he fights. When I get to the ring I know how he is going to be.

Negotiations to get to this fight?

BOB ARUM: In all the fights that I’ve done, this whole series of fights, the Hatton fight, the De La Hoya fight, the Cotto fight…it was never any kind of serious problems in the negotiations. There were a couple of problems that went back and forth and the Mayweather negotiations threw me for a loop because they became so acrimonious and so in a lot of ways nonsensical, that it led me to believe rightly or wrongly that the Mayweather side never wanted to do the fight. Now the negotiations for the Clottey fight took about 24 hours. They contacted Clottey in Africa and I spoke to Vinny and Pat English the lawyer and we put it together quite promptly. But that has been that way with every fight, that we can put it together without much back and forth. Whether it was the presence of Al Haymon because we had problems with the Williams fight with Kelly Pavlik, I don’t really know. I just know that the Mayweather negotiations were extremely difficult and extremely acrimonious and kept the fight from happening.

If we believe, and I certainly believe that boxing is a big-time sport, boxing is on a crest and boxing isn’t a niche sport or a dying sport, but it’s a big-time sport and putting it in big stadiums like Cowboy Stadium, like Yankees Stadium, like the new stadium in the Meadowlands, proves that point. Because when you put your product in venues like that, what you’re saying to the world that boxing is a big-time sport and can hold its own past any other sport. We know what’s happening in Mexico…boxing is getting higher ratings than soccer and certainly any other sport going on regularly on terrestrial TV on a Saturday night. We know it from Germany where arenas are constantly sold out and the ratings are through the roof, we know if from England and the Philippines and Japan. We don’t know it yet from the United States but I’m telling you, it’s like the sleeping giant that is there. Boxing in the U.S. will takes its place the same way that it is doing it in the rest of the world like a big-time sport. Putting these events in these stadiums will prove that and demonstrate that.

JOSHUA CLOTTEY: I would like to thank the media and all the questions that they ask me and the answers that I put through. I want to thank God and Bob Arum and the Top Rank crew. I am very happy that this fight is coming up on the 13th of March and I’m going to do the best that I can.

BOB ARUM: I am really looking forward to March 13 and this great event in Cowboys Stadium. The telecast is $49.95. I have explained the undercard and it will be a great night of boxing. Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders all over the place, fireworks. It will be a real event and that’s why we have named it THE EVENT. More importantly this will be the best fight you have seen. This will be the toughest for many Pacquiao. You’ve heard today how determined Joshua Clottey is and you’re going to see fireworks in the ring and that’s what boxing is all about. Thanks for being on this call and we’ll see you on March 13th.

Source: boxingtalk.com

Pacquiao vs. Clottey: Keys to victory

February 27th, 2010
Allan Tolentino

Lot of things happened in the world of boxing in the past few months. And in barely three weeks' time, on 13th of March, we shall witness another action packed boxing action between the WBO welterweight champion and the pound-for-pound best fighter in the world Manny Pacquiao against the formidable worthy opponent from Ghana, former IBF welterweight world champion, Joshua "The Grand Master" Clottey.

Now, the whole world knows about Manny Pacquiao. Pacquiao’s ring exploits were well documented against many legends. Outside of the avid boxing fans, Joshua Clottey's name does not ring a bell like, say, Floyd Mayweather Jr. but that doesn't mean this tough guy from Ghana is a push-over.

If you look at Joshua Clottey's record, won 35 (KO 20) + lost 3 (KO 0) + drawn 0 = 39, those 3 of his losses can be negligible. Let's take a look at them one by one shall we?

First loss: Against Carlos Baldomir, former WBC welterweight champion, Joshua Clottey lost via controversial disqualification when Clottey seems to be winning the rounds in the score cards.

Second loss: Against Antonio Margarito, former WBO and WBA welterweight champion. Joshua Clottey lost via controversial decision when Joshua seems to be winning the first half of the fight then broke his hand, giving Antonio " Loaded Gloves" Margarito a gift decision.

Third loss: Against Miguel Angel Cotto, former WBO and WBA welterweight champion. Joshua Clottey lost via controversial split decision when some fight fans saw Clottey winning this fight. But then again, its Cotto's home turf and Cotto was then the champion, so Clottey was expected to do more than that to win via decision against Cotto.

So, Joshua "The Grand Master" Clottey is a very worthy opponent. He is a BIG and strong welterweight! It's amazing how Clottey can weigh 147lbs on the weight-in and then after 1 day at fight night climb up to the ring looking like a hulking super-middleweight!

On the other hand, the whole world knows about Manny Pacquiao by now. He's already transcended the sport and attracted the attention of many Hollywood actors. Here is Manny again, this time defending his WBO belt at 147lbs, facing another bigger, stronger, and taller opponent as usual.

Training

Manny Pacquiao is said to look phenomenal in his training camp. When Pacquiao trains, he gives it his all. He is a machine who goes non-stop!

There have been reports about Manny hurting his sparring partners very bad that some of them were sent home. Numerous posts and articles were published saying that Manny Pacquiao is still very much fit from his fight with Miguel Cotto and had adjusted well in the welterweight division. This is again, a classic blending of Freddie Roach's brilliant work and Manny dedication to the sport.

Recently, there have been reports that Manny could've over-trained and hurt his left leg in training. Thus, was given few days rest. But Manny Pacquiao still opt to train. Freddie Roach has toned his training down a few notches to help Manny recover from his injury. Now, it seems like Manny Pacquiao is back in full gear after passing the medical examinations with flying colors. Statements from Conditioning trainer Alex Ariza saying Manny is recovering very well, and getting close to being 100% or its just that Manny has extremely high tolerance with pain.

We can all hope Manny Pacquiao comes to the ring in the best condition.

Let's look at Joshua Clottey's training camp. Lenny De Jesus, Pacquiao's former cut-man is now Joshua Clottey's lead trainer when Clottey's preferred trainer, Godwin Kotay, also from Ghana, had troubles in getting a visa to the USA. This is such a very important matter because victories are won in the training camp and only manifest themselves in the ring!

Although reports say that Joshua Clottey looked great in training, we shall see how his team handles the pressure come fight night.

We also hope that Joshua Clottey comes in the ring in 100% best condition to give us the best fight they can give.

With regards to training, Manny Pacquiao definitely has the advantage here. He's training with his long time trusted coach Freddie Roach at their home turf at the Wild Card gym doing what they do best. While Joshua Clottey is still in the feeling stages with his new trainer, Lenny De Jesus, a part-time lock smith and more well known as a cut-man than a trainer.

Style

Clottey presents Pacquiao a style he has never encountered before. If there's a style that proves to be troublesome to Manny, it’s the defensive counter-punching style, like that of Juan Manuel Marquez. Manny seems to get caught with some clean punches when his opponents are on the defensive and back-pedaling. We saw that at times when Cotto was on his bicycle throwing sporadic jabs to keep Pacquiao off of him. But unlike Manny's other defensive minded foes, Joshua Clottey doesn't move backward, but rather he stays put or moves forward, with his arms right in front of him as a defensive shield that blocks punches. He uses that style very well in the past. The elongated Antonio "Loaded Gloves" Margarito had a very difficult time penetrating Clottey's defenses. Given that Antonio's style is to overwhelm his opponents with the volume of his punches and use his height and reach advantage. But even so, in the early stages of that fight, most of Margarito's
punches were blocked by Clottey's defenses.

Joshua Clottey fought and beaten Zab Judah, the former undisputed welterweight champion. Take note that Zab Judah, like Manny Pacquiao is a speedy southpaw. What Joshua Clottey did very effectively against Judah was his "peek-a-boo" counter-punching style using the high guard defense. He allowed Zab to come to him and hit him, while Clottey blocks those punches with his arms. Then when he sees an opening, he would time Zab Judah with a straight right hand in the middle and wicked left hook to the body. This strategy nullified Zab Judah's speed and was able to launch his attack the way he wanted it.

Joshua Clottey is not a volume puncher who throws plenty of combinations. He is very conservative with his offenses. This is because he uses his arms as a defensive guard to lure his opponents to attack at him most of the time. You can't throw a punch while your forearms are covering high up in front. A fighter utilizing this kind of defense would find it hard to be the first one to mount an offense simply because, from a high guard position, a fighter needed to pull back his arms or twist his torso to throw an effective punch. Sure, one can throw a punch from an elbows-close-together and forearms parallel in front position, but generally, it would lack power, as it does not have the leverage and momentum to deliver an effective punch. From a high guard position, if a fighter pulls back his arms or twists his torso to punch, he effectively telegraphs his intentions to his opponents. This shall give his opponents time to adjust, evade, block or
counter-punch the coming offensive.

For the high-guard defense to be effective, you must lure your opponent to come at you and then counter-punch him as he attacks. Impeccable timing is the key for this style to be successful. You can observe the same style being employed by former middle weight champion Arthur Abraham, and he uses it brilliantly. That's exactly what Joshua Clottey is also doing. Then again, a fighter using this style of defense must pack some power to make the counter-punches effective. Or else, a good blocking defense plus minimum offensive activity mixed with ineffective counter-punches, equals losing on the score cards. Joshua Clottey has decent power to make this style work for him as we have witnessed during his fight against Zab Judah.

I'm just not sure if Clottey can block all of Manny Pacquiao's punches when Pacquiao fires up 15-punch-combinations in less than two seconds from all sorts of weird angles. We saw Miguel Cotto, who is not too slow himself, able to block two or three of them, but 11 or 12 of those punches still landed by Pacquiao. And those punches packs a lot of hurting power.

Notice also how Clottey often remains stationary with his footwork and depends more on his blocking defense during a fight. I believe this will not work very well with Manny Pacquiao because with Pacquiao's nimble feet, he'll be everywhere in that ring. So Clottey needed to keep up with Manny's speed with regards to footwork in he wants to remain standing in this fight. He needs to keep moving, side to side, around in circles, feint forward then dash backwards then attack, etc.

Back when Pacquiao was about to fight David Diaz, I thought, for him to beat Pacquiao, he must impose his size and strength on the little guy. He must do some rough-housing, a bit of wrestling here and there, just like what Nadel Hussein and Agapito Sanchez did back when Pacquiao was still a bantamweight, which gave Pacquiao some troubles. I also thought of the same when Manny was about to fight Oscar Dela Hoya, Ricky Hatton and Miguel Cotto. I realized that the Manny Pacquiao at bantamweight is a totally different version of Manny Pacquiao at welterweight. So, yes, Joshua Clottey is bigger and stronger than Manny Pacquiao, but I believe imposing one's strength against Manny Pacquiao by using his size to try to bully the little guy is NOT the way to beat Manny. Manny Pacquiao is too quick and elusive for Clottey to catch him brawl it from the inside. And though Pacquiao is smaller, he packs a lot of power! So matching power for power against Pacquiao is
not a wise thing to do. Right now, Joshua Clottey's size and strength once again could mean nothing against Manny Pacquiao.

What Joshua Clottey needs to do to beat Pacquiao is to do his own version of Marquez. He needs to time Manny and counter-punch him at the right moment when the little guy attacks. Clottey needs to keep his legs in perpetual motion, employ his superior defensive skills to block Pacquiao's combinations and use his reach advantage to keep him at bay. And he needs to keep at it for 36mins in that fight.

The question is, "Does Joshua Clottey has enough in his tank to do that?" because Pacquiao will definitely be in his face for the full 3 minutes of every round. Clottey cannot afford to fade even just for a minute, like what he did against Cotto, when he faces Manny Pacquiao.

To be concluded...

Source: 8countnews.com

Joshua Clottey Dissects The Manny Pacquiao/Steroids Myth

By Keith Idec (photo by Chris Farina/Top Rank)

Joshua Clottey seems as certain that Manny Pacquiao isn’t on steroids as he is that he will win their welterweight title fight March 13 in Arlington, Texas.

Clottey refused to support suggestions from Floyd Mayweather Sr. and Floyd Mayweather Jr. regarding Pacquiao’s possible use of performance-enhancing drugs on a conference call to promote their fight. After getting to know Pacquiao during the press tour for their HBO Pay-Per-View main event, Clottey cannot bring himself to suspect Pacquiao of wrongdoing.

Mayweather’s supporters surely will call Clottey naïve, but Clottey couldn’t care less.

“I don’t want to do that, because I respect him so much,” Clottey said. “He’s a very nice guy. I feel comfortable around him. He’s a nice, classy guy. He respects everybody. … I don’t think Manny Pacquiao does [steroids]. But if he does that, then that is cheating the sport.”

Clottey (35-3, 20 KOs, 1 NC), a Bronx, N.Y., resident raised in Ghana, understands why steroid speculation has swirled around Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38 KOs) now that he has dominated Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton and Miguel Cotto in his last three fights. But Clottey contends those fighters made mental mistakes that enabled Pacquiao to stop each of them.

“Mayweather started thinking [Pacquiao is on steroids] because of the way Pacquiao beat Cotto,” Clottey said. “To me, from the way I analyze it, I think the other guys [lost to Pacquiao] because they don’t respect his power. That’s why he’s surprising them.”

Clottey is convinced Cotto, who beat Clottey by split decision June 13 at Madison Square Garden, was most guilty of underestimating Pacquiao’s power.

“Cotto is stronger than Pacquiao,” Clottey said. “It is true. But Cotto [didn’t] respect Pacquiao. He [thought] Pacquiao is too small to hurt him. I’m not thinking that at all. See me in the ring. I will give him a lot of respect. With that, he’s not going to surprise me with any punch. If you don’t respect an opponent, even your little son can hit your jaw and if it connects, you’re going to go down.”

Puerto Rico’s Cotto had been stopped by Antonio Margarito 15 months before he fought Pacquiao, but Clottey, a good defensive fighter with a granite chin, has never been knocked out. His three losses include 12-round decision defeats to Cotto and Margarito, and a disqualification defeat to former welterweight champ Carlos Baldomir.

The 31-year-old Pacquiao, of course, has been knocked out twice during his 15-year professional career, once in a 110-pound bout and again in a WBC flyweight title fight.

Rustico Torrecampo, another Filipino southpaw, knocked out Pacquiao in the third round of a February 1996 bout in Manila. Thailand’s Medgoen “3-K Battery” Singsurat also knocked out Pacquiao in the third round of their 112-pound championship match in September 1997 in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand.

Those losses, coupled with Pacquiao’s ability to withstand the power of much bigger men, have made Mayweather question Pacquiao’s legitimacy even more. While Mayweather’s demand for Olympic drug testing eventually ended negotiations for boxing’s biggest bout, Clottey and his handlers never considered trying to make Pacquiao submit to additional testing prior to their fight.

Bob Arum, Pacquiao’s promoter, said negotiations for the Pacquiao-Clottey fight lasted about 24 hours. It obviously helped that Arum’s Top Rank Inc. also promotes Clottey, who clearly learned an invaluable lesson during negotiations for an ill-fated rematch against Margarito late in 2008.

Clottey, 32, turned down what would’ve been a career-high $750,000 purse because he wanted at least $1 million to meet Mexico’s Margarito again. Margarito instead fought Shane Mosley, and although Clottey eventually landed the Cotto fight, he made $200,000 less than he was offered for the Margarito fight to box Cotto.

Nevertheless, Vinny Scolpino, Clottey’s manager, said he never even mentioned additional testing to Arum before the fight was made.

“If the commission wants to implement other drug testing rules, let them implement it and we’ll follow them,” Scolpino said. “We abide by the rules that are set forth and we go forward. Look, Manny’s a super champion; we all hope that he’s doing the right thing. And if the commission finds [Pacquiao’s steroid use] in their drug testing, they find it. That’s the way it is.”

Mosley met Mayweather’s demands for Olympic drug testing to secure a fight he has wanted for a long time. But if Mayweather wins their fight May 1 in Las Vegas and Pacquiao overcomes Clottey, Arum assures anyone who’ll listen that a Pacquiao-Mayweather fight won’t get made if Mayweather continues to push for random testing before the fight.

“That is not a topic for negotiation,” Arum said. “That is something for the commission to decide. And then any participant in a boxing match who wants more stringent testing than is applicable in that state can go before commission, present his case and let the commission decide. That’s not for a bunch of amateurs to start talking about, and start making demands. That is wrong. That is what’s called chaos.

“What you have to do, and every fighter has the right to do it … that’s what you have commissions for, you go before the commission and you say, ‘I want such-and-such and such-and-such done on the testing.’ And you let the commissioners decide. That’s what they’re getting paid for, to decide those kinds of questions.”

Clottey, meanwhile, is more focused on figuring out how to neutralize Pacquiao’s speed, Pacquiao’s biggest advantage in their 12-round fight for Pacquiao’s WBO 147-pound title at Cowboys Stadium. If Clottey can do that, throws more punches than usual and pulls off an upset, he knows March 13 won’t represent the last seven-figure payday of his career.

“I’m so happy about this opportunity,” Clottey said. “If I beat Manny Pacquiao, I’ll be so happy. I think I’ll be happy for the whole month, because he’s the best fighter out there. He’s the man now. He’s giving me a chance to fight him, and if I beat him I’m going to be on top of the world.”

Keith Idec covers boxing for The Record and Herald News, of Woodland Park, N.J., and BoxingScene.com.

Source: boxingscene.com

Roach on Mayweather: "We'll knock him out in the ring"; Arum adds "and in court"

By Dennis 'dSource' Guillermo
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 27 Feb 2010

Just moments ago, Manny Pacquiao together with his trainer Freddie Roach and promoter Bob Arum answered questions from the press in their scheduled Media Conference Call for Pacquiao's upcoming clash against Joshua Clottey in Jerry Jones' highly acclaimed Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

As much as the topic was Pacquiao vs. Clottey, the interest simply could not be veered off the failed mega-fight between Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. as media members shot questions regarding blood testing and whether a Mayweather fight was crucial to Pacquiao before he ends his boxing career one after the other.

When asked about the impact of Mayweather's PED and HGH comments and allegations on Pacquiao, Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach replied,

"We're not happy with his remarks and Manny really wants to fight him in the future because of the remarks he made. You know Manny sometimes when he's shadow boxing, he shows me how Mayweather fights and how he's going to take care of the problem. I've never seen him do that before and with the allegations he's trying to ruin our reputation and so forth and we do want to fight him and we will knock him out".

After which, promoter Bob Arum interjected and added,

"And we'll knock him out in the court also because that lawsuit continues on and justice will prevail".

As far as Pacquiao is concerned, the number one pound for pound fighter and 7 division world champion simply shrugged it off saying "that's his style and I can't change him because we are different," referring to Mayweather's trash-talking nature. Pacquiao also pointed out that his accomplishments speak for itself and that a fight against Mayweather is not necessary to satisfy him on the legacy he has already left boxing.

When highly respected writer and our prolific friend in New York Michael Marley asked Pacquiao to elaborate on what he meant about what makes him different from Mayweather, Pacquiao responded saying,

"Some fighters like me, we can be great fighters without trash talk and his style, he is talking a lot of trash talk and to be know as Mayweather and all that and that he is a champion," and added, "but he is not a good example for everybody."

Whether Pacquiao will face Mayweather in the ring is something fight fans will just have to continue clamoring and hoping for until it actually happens and both fighters sign on the dotted line. But with this much interest, regardless of what Team Pacquiao and Team Mayweather says, this fight not to happening might very well be the death of boxing. Oh, don't get me wrong with my figurative assessment, Boxing will continue on, but if you can't make the biggest money making fight between the two best fighters of this era happen, then man, shame on all of us involved in this sport.


Dennis 'dSource' Guillermo is a freelance sportswriter. You can contact him by e-mail through dennisguillermo2@yahoo.com. You can also check out his daily column on Filipino Sports at Examiner.com.

Source: PhilBoxing.com

Manny Pacquiao ‘Mayweather is not ready to face me; maybe he’s afraid of me’

Sacramento Fight Sports Examiner | Rick Rockwell

Has Manny Pacquiao started to publicly fight back against the verbal onslaught from the Mayweathers? In a recent interview for the upcoming fight with Clottey, Pacquiao spoke about Floyd Mayweather Jr and why he thought the fight didn’t happen. Let’s examine the quotes from PacMan.


“What I believe is Floyd Mayweather is not ready for this time to face me. That’s why he makes up some reason to control the fight. I feel bad, I feel disappointment, because he’s accusing me of using drugs or whatever and he tries to ruin my name. People know that I always pray to God and do hard work. Maybe he’s afraid of me or maybe he’s afraid for this fight. I’m disappointed for what he’s accusing me and I really feel bad, Manny Pacquiao, Conference Call for Clottey fight

“What I believe is Floyd Mayweather is not ready for this time to face me”

Manny just echoed what many Floyd critics have been saying. They don’t think that Floyd was ready to really face Manny. They think that Floyd sabotaged these contract negotiations because he’s afraid.


“Maybe he’s afraid of me or maybe he’s afraid for this fight.”

There’s a large contingency of people who think Floyd is afraid to fight Manny. In fact, there are several other boxers that Floyd has “avoided” who also think that Floyd was afraid to fight them. Miguel Cotto has publicly questioned Floyd’s choices on past fighters and the fact that that Floyd wouldn’t fight him. Of course, we hade a decade of Shane Mosley saying Floyd was scared too.

Jason Larsen Sacramento, CA “Is this the best Manny can do for trash talking?”

Jason, Manny isn’t a trash talker. He lets his boxing do the talking. In fact, on the same conference call Manny commented on trash talking.

“Some fighters like me, we can be the greatest fighter without trash talk. His style is, you know, he’s talking a lot of trash talk to be known as Mayweather like that, to be known as champion, but it’s not a good example for everybody. We can not change that because we are different.” PacMan

Pete Nelson Sacramento, CA “Why do people say Floyd was scared to fight Manny?”

Floyd has developed a reputation for ducking fighters in the past. People think Floyd continued his ducking by accusing Manny of taking PEDs and then demanding a non-mandatory style of drug testing. Floyd has never made these accusations of Manny before yet the Mayweathers think Manny has been on PEDs for years.

Conclusion

I think the more Manny publicly combats Floyd’s actions and comments, the more positive it will be for Manny. As long as he doesn’t take a page out of Floyd’s “gum bumping” then Manny could really help his cause from a public image standpoint. In regards to these specific comments, I agree with Manny and the rest of the Floyd critics. I do think Floyd is scared to fight Manny and he did whatever he could to destroy these fight talks.

Source: Examiner.com

Manny Says He's Content With Career If Mayweather Fight Doesn't Happen

By Michael Woods

Say it ain't so, Manny.

Please tell us that you aren't going to get sucked into the politics vortex, and let that uglier-than-boxing arena kidnap you, and keep you. At the top of your game, a seven division champion, you aren't going to win a Filipino congressional seat, and bid boxing adieu, are you? Just when we've come to savor your status as a commendable role model for this sport which is in such need of humble, virtuous ambassadors?

The rumor mill has been grinding out rumors that Pacman will exit the sweet science after he fights Joshua Clottey on March 13 in Dallas, and the boxer addressed the issue on a Friday conference call.

"This is my last fight before the election," he said, and left the door fully ajar for pugilism post election. "I'm not going to say I'm going to retire."

Promoter Bob Arum said he'd be OK with Manny hanging up the gloves after the Clottey scrap and that he'd throw the rapidly climbing all-time Pound for Pounder a big ole bash if he decided to wave bye bye. "He's the best fighter I've ever seen," Arum opined. "I'm an old guy so I never saw Marciano, and Sugar Ray Robinson fight in person. And you can't tell much by watching films. But that includes Sugar Ray Leonard, and Ali, and Hagler. Manny's the best fighter I've ever seen." Arum reiterated Manny's anything-is-possible-but-he's-leaning-towards-keeping-on- fighting declaration. "He's leaving his options open."

Let me go on record, and please mark this statement: there ain't no way Manny's leaving after knocking out Clottey. (You can mark that prediction, as well..I'm with Arum on Manny-as-the-best-I've-seen stance, think Pacquiao's untouchable right now, and his hand speed and angles will be befuddling to the Ghanian). Nope..I see Manny going another five or more years. I'm guessing he does too. When asked what sort of fighter could take him down at this stage of his career, Pacquiao pondered and answered, "When I get old."

Now, regarding another matter that continues to hang over this promotion...will I be so bold in stating that I believe Pacquiao-Mayweather will DEFINITELY happen? No..As long as the announced lawsuit versus Team Mayweather is in play, I think that's a severe hurdle to making it happen. It will be hard for Team Pacquiao and Team Mayweather to separate the suit, and the purely boxing elements of the negotiations, if and when they try and hash out a deal again.

I do, however, wonder if the suit actually gets beyond the talk stages, though. Why hasn't the lawsuit been officially filed yet? For the record, two calls to the office of attorney Daniel Petrocelli, repping Pacquiao, were not returned, so I can't say for certain where the suit stands, beyond what Arum says.

Pacquiao says he'll be secure in his legacy if he and Floyd never tangle, and Arum says he too will be able to leave this plane settled if Pacquiao doesn't fight Mayweather. "I'm OK, I'm content," the fighter said when asked if he'd be alright never battling Floyd. "I don't really need to fight Mayweather. My achievements in boxing are enough for me." Now, Roach, I'm not so sure about him. He seems to reeeallly want Manny to shut Floyd's mouth. "I'd like to shut Floyd up, of course," he said on the call. "I know Manny will knock him out, and the whole world would be happy."

My take: don't think for a second that because Pacquiao comes off as an almost angelic figure, always benevolent and beaming, that he's not capable of posturing for leverage. If part of him does think that Mayweather in fact wants to take him down, and hasn't deliberately shot down a fight with his ultra-stringent testing demands, then he'd be smart to send signals to Mayweather that he doesn't crave a battle. A l'il reverse psychology, right? I still haven't determined, and I don't know anyone who has outside of Floyd's inner circle, what his deal is, if he is truly confident of his ability to better Manny, or if his unease with Pacquiao's skill set has lead him to sabotage a showdown..Manny wouldn't publicly declare without reservation that he thinks Floyd fears him, or for whatever reason doesn't want the fight. Like a skilled politician, he said for whatever reason, Floyd doesn't seem like he wants to fight Pacquiao right now. Unlike a politician, he turned down a chance to score a point when he took the high road, and said he was not "angry" at Floyd for insinuating PED usage, but rather was "disappointed." Gosh, Manny is a skilled pol..is there any doubt he's ready for Congress??

The issue of testing..surprise, surprise...popped up. Arum continued to hammer home the point, which I fully embrace, that no fighter should be attempting to co-opt the system, and make unilateral demands above and beyond what the state commissions are adhering too. He likened Mayweather's demands to a situation where the New York Yankees Alex Rodriguez strikes out against a certain Red Sox hurler a bunch of times, and then demands the pitcher be tested for PEDs. No, not a perfect analogy, because Floyd hasn't been whupped by Manny. He's making the demand and muddying the waters with insinuations before he's thrown down. But I'm in Arum's camp on this matter... "It causes chaos," Arum said. "No one has anything against random testing (or non-invasive urinalysis)." But, he continued, why hasn't Golden Boy been similarly stringent in regards to Roy Jones, who has tested positive for steroids ten years ago, and why hasn't Mayweather been as vocal against known PED user Shane Mosley? Because, he suspects, Mayweather may well not want the Pacquiao fight, and he used the is-Manny-dirty ploy to try and get into Manny's mind. If we do get the bout, what happens, Bob? "Manny-Mayweather is a no contest," Arum said. "Pacquiao would wipe the ring of him."

Along those same lines, one reporter asked Manny why he wouldn't accept Floyd's testing parameters, so he could clear his name. This reporter, I think, as a veteran, should know better. Unless Manny were tested on a daily basis, for three months before a bout, until right after the bout, then even if he tested clean, there would still be those who wouldn't be convinced that his rise from 106 to 147 pounds wasn't aided by PED use. If Floyd tells Manny to jump through 100 hoops, and he does so, there will be folks who won't be satisfied until he jumps through 101.

Arum brought up a couple megamatches that didn't come off, even though it looked like they were a given, or were delayed: Bowe-Lewis; Tyson-Foreman; and Tyson-Holyfield. The 78-year-old dealmaker has a most healthy take on the matter: "These things happen." Or...they don't...and the world will keep turning regardless. And compelling matches will continue to get made. But Arum sounded beyond stubborn when he said that no fighter of his, under his watch, would get pushed around at the negotiating table around the issue of PED testing. "Mayweather," he said, "was totally out of line in making demands."

Let's bottom line it, Bob: will Pacquiao-Mayweather happen? Only, the promoter said, if Team Mayweather softens their stance, and trusts in the testing protocols of the commissions.

As of today, February 25, I do not see that happening, people. What about you? Weigh in!

Source: thesweetscience.com

Clottey confident Pacquiao plays by the rules

As the year began, the attention of the boxing world was on the negotiations between Top Rank and Golden Boy, rival promoters who were attempting to finalize the biggest fight in the sport -- a showdown between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr.

We all know by now what happened -- how the fight fell apart over a single issue when the sides wouldn't compromise on drug-testing protocol.

Pacquiao and Mayweather went their separate ways after weeks of one of the more rancor-filled negotiations in recent history.

Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38 KOs) quickly came to terms with former welterweight titlist Joshua Clottey (35-3, 20 KOs), who is also promoted by Top Rank, making their deal a snap to finalize. They'll meet for Pacquiao's welterweight title on March 13 (HBO PPV) at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Mayweather ultimately came to terms to challenge welterweight titleholder Shane Mosley for his belt on May 1 (also HBO PPV) at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

The replacement fights certainly have merit. Both shape up as competitive bouts in which all four fighters have reasonable chances to win, even if Pacquiao and Mayweather are the favorites in their respective bouts.

But even with two strong bouts taking the place of Pacquiao-Mayweather, there is still the feeling that the new bouts are merely a consolation. Even Top Rank's Bob Arum can't escape that feeling, although he tried to put a happy face on it.

"Are they consolation prizes? Maybe," Arum said on a media conference call with Clottey to promote the fight with Pacquiao on Thursday. "[Pacquiao-Mayweather] didn't happen for one reason or another. I am not here to cast blame. But it didn't happen and now we have this fight that could go either way that I believe is Manny's toughest fight."

As for the possibility of putting Pacquiao-Mayweather together in the future if each wins, Arum was unsure.

"Life goes on," he said. "That's what these boys fight for. If Joshua beats Manny and Mosley beats Mayweather, maybe we do a Mosley-Clottey fight. That's what makes boxing interesting. If I did a walkover fight like Pacquiao-[Paulie] Malignaggi, which was talked about, then people would say I'm just keeping Pacquiao busy and there is no danger in him losing the fight.

"But there is danger in him losing the fight. Joshua Clottey is a very dangerous fighter. Similarly, maybe Mosley goes back to the fountain of youth that he had for the [Antonio] Margarito fight [13 months ago]. That Mosley could very well beat Mayweather. That's what makes boxing interesting. If these would be walkover fights nobody would give a damn. You'll see fireworks [in Pacquiao-Clottey] and if there is an upset, that's what boxing is all about."

For his part, Clottey sounded happy to be in the position of having the biggest fight -- and first seven-figure payday -- of his career, especially because he is coming off a split-decision loss last summer to Miguel Cotto, who was later battered by Pacquiao in a 12th-round knockout in November.

"I'm coming to do my best," Clottey, a native of Ghana living in New York, said from his training camp in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. "Like I always said, he is a good fighter. He is the best now. This is the test and I am going for the WBO title. I'm going all out. I have my game plan and I always come to fight.

"I am so happy about this opportunity. He's the man now and he is giving me a chance. If I win, I will be on top of the world."

Unlike Mayweather did in the talks for the fight with Pacquiao, Clottey and manager Vinny Scolpino didn't ask for any special drug testing.

"I don't want to do that because I respect him so much," Clottey said. "He's a very nice guy. I feel comfortable around him. He's a nice, classy guy, he respects everybody."

Mayweather and his father, Floyd Mayweather Sr., accused Pacquiao of using performance-enhancing drugs, even though they had no proof.

Clottey said he didn't think Pacquiao was doing anything against the rules.

"I don't think Manny Pacquiao does that," he said. "But if he does, then he is cheating the sport. I don't think he did that steroid thing. I believe that."

Scolpino said additional drug testing never came up in the negotiations with Arum. Of course, Clottey had zero leverage in the talks to demand more testing even if he wanted it.

"If the [Texas] commission wants to implement other drug-testing rules, let them and we will follow it," Scolpino said. "We abide by the rules set forth. Manny is a super champion and we all hope he is doing the right thing. If they find something in the drug testing, that's the way it is.

"We were going to abide by the rules set forth in the state. We're not getting into extra testing. We're professionals in the sport. Joshua is a professional, Manny is a pro. If the commission says do it, we do it."

Arum, who was against additional testing during the Pacquiao-Mayweather talks, agreed with Scolpino.

"My view is that [drug testing] is not a topic for negotiations," Arum said. "That is something for the commission to decide. Any participant in a boxing match who wants more stringent testing than is applicable in that state can go before the commission and ask for it. It's not for amateurs to make a bunch of demands. That is called chaos. Every fighter has the right to go before the commission and say I want such and such done on the testing and you let the commissioners decide. That is what they are getting paid for."

Source: espn.go.com

I cannot underestimate Clottey, says champion Pacquiao

Kieran Mulvaney
WASHINGTON
Fri Feb 26, 2010 3:55pm EST

"Joshua Clottey is taller and bigger than me," Pacquiao told reporters in a conference call on Friday. "He is a former (IBF) champion. I cannot underestimate him."

Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr, widely regarded as the two best pound-for-pound boxers in the world, had been scheduled to fight on March 13.

However, negotiations collapsed when the Filipino refused Mayweather's demands for Olympic-style dope testing procedures.

Pacquiao filed a lawsuit against Mayweather, the American's father Floyd Sr, his uncle Roger and Golden Boy Promotions for falsely accusing him of using performance-enhancing drugs.

"I believe Floyd Mayweather was not ready to fight me," said Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38 KOs). "That's why he makes some reasons to cancel the fight.

"I feel bad that he is accusing me of doing drugs, that he tries to ruin my name in boxing. I'm disappointed for what he's accusing me of but I'm not angry at him. That's his style."

After the collapse of the Mayweather fight, Pacquiao turned to Clottey (35-3, 20 KOs).

It is a fight Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach is confident his man will win.

"Clottey's a very strong guy, he's a good puncher," Roach said. "I think his best punch is the uppercut.

"But I have a lot of confidence in my fighter. He's sparring with guys who fight quite a bit like Clottey.

"We have big, strong guys and Manny's handling them with ease. I think we will overwhelm him and I think the fight will end before 12 rounds are over," added Roach.

"I think Manny will be the first to knock him out."

Source: reuters.com

Joshua Clottey in 'Best Shape' of His Career For Manny Pacquiao

2/26/2010 4:52 PM ET By Lem Satterfield

A native of Ghana who is preparing for a March 13 challenge for the WBO welterweight (147 pounds) crown held by seven-division champion, Manny Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38 KOs), of the Philippines, Joshua Clottey (35-3, 20 knockouts), of The Bronx, N.Y., spoke to FanHouse on Friday from his sleeping quarters near his training facility at Fort Lauderdale's Contender Gym in Fla.

This is the second of four diaries translated from Clottey that is appearing regularly on FanHouse as the 32-year-old fighter enters the most lucrative and biggest fight of his career.



Joshua Clottey wept, openly, earlier this month when a work Visa to the U.S. was denied to his preferred chief second, Godwin Nii Dzanie Kotey.

Kotey is perceived by many in their native Ghana as legendary and a father figure, having been the trainer for former welterweight star, Ike Quartey, of Ghana. Kotey was to be in Clottey's corner for the first time against Manny Pacquiao.

Kotey's presence was sought after Clottey had split with Kwame Asante in a reported disagreement over money -- this after Asante had served as Clottey's chief second for June's 12-round split-decision loss to then-WBO king, Miguel Cotto.

But now, with the biggest fight of his life on the horizon, Clottey was trainer-less.

Enter Lenny DeJesus (pictured above, left, with Clottey), a man Clottey had known of prior to employing DeJeus as the cutman for the Cotto fight.

A resident of the Bronx, the 32-year-old Clottey had seen DeJesus working with other fighters at the John's Gym, a venue he, himself, frequents that is located not too far from Yankees Stadium.

"I knew of DeJeus, but I didn't talk to him. Vinnie introduced me to him," said Clottey, referring to his manager, Vinnie Scolpino. "So he was used as a cut man in my fight with Miguel Cotto because he's been around for a long time. He seemed like a good choice."

Clottey said that DeJesus turned out to be even more of an asset during the fight with Cotto,

"When he was my cut man against Miguel Cotto, he pushed me. He sort of wakes you up, tells me some good things. We established a good relationship during the Cotto fight, so I chose him" to be primary trainer for the Pacquiao fight, said Clottey. "It was an easy transition. He motivates you."

Another advantage, said Clottey, is the fact that DeJesus knows a little bit about Pacquiao, having worked as the Filipino superstar's cut man throughout much the early part of his career.

DeJesus was last in Pacquiao's corner for the latter's March, 2005 loss to Erik Morales at super featherweight (130 pounds), after which Pacquiao won his next 11 bouts, eight of them by knockout.

A southpaw, Pacquiao has gotten more-and-more powerful as his weight has risen, having stopped his past four opponents, David Diaz, Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, and, Miguel Cotto, respectively, while weighing 134, 142, 138, and, 144 pounds.

"Does DeJesus know a little bit about Manny Pacquiao? Yes," said Scolpino. "But we also know that Manny Pacquiao is a different fighter now than he once was. We're prepared, but we're preparing for the Manny Pacquiao of today."

Clottey said that his respect for Pacquiao's power is among the reasons he will dethrone him.

"I have more confidence this time around because I'm taking this fight like if I win, I have bigger things ahead. I have so much respect for Manny, so that gives me more confidence because I respect the guy," said Clottey. "I respect the guy because, if he has the chance, he can stop me. So I respect him because of that, and because of that, I'm more confident."

Conversely, said Clottey, it was his lack of respect for Cotto that led to his demise.

"When I went to fight Cotto, I knew, within me, or at least my thinking was, 'I could beat Cotto because I knew Cotto had not faced a guy like me before.' That was my thinking," said Clottey.

"I didn't respect him like he was going to cause any damage," said Clottey. "So, compared to that, I respect this guy, Manny Pacquiao, because he's stopped a lot of good guys. So, I'm giving him respect, and the respect will carry me through the fight."

Clottey, who weighed out at 154 pounds on Thursday, claims to be in the best shape of his life, and punching with more power than ever.

"We're two weeks from the fight, and that's where I want to be right now. I don't want to come down too much or too fast from sparring because that might hurt you," said Clottey.

"I eat a lot of chicken and a lot of fish. It's African food. I don't eat any other meat," said Clottey. "Sometimes, I have salads -- things that make me strong and to wake up in the morning and go jogging, or which can make me go to the gym and work out. I drink a lot of water and I'm very strong in the gym at work."

In photos, the challenger (pictured above) appears to have a more muscular upper body than ever.

"This is the best shape that I've ever been in. Because, I know that I've got a really tough fight with Manny, Pacquiao. All that you've seen from my photos is from the hard work of training," said Clottey, who a week ago, already was sparring 10, four-minute rounds with a 30 second rest in between and little if any fatigue.

"You know, I'm always in shape. I train even when I'm not fighting," said Clottey. "I play soccer. So when I start training, it doesn't take long. After a three weeks or a month, I'm strong."

And that, for Clottey, has meant more energy during sparring sessions, and, throughout his training overall.

"I've been trainig to do what I have to do. When the opening's there, I'm going to find them. When he's running, and he's moving around, I'll be able to cut off the ring," said Clottey. "When he stops running, I'll throw punches. And when I throw a punch, and he's there, I will be able to land it."

There are some who have questioned Pacquiao's ability to rise from one weight class to another with power, believing that he is on steroids or some other performance-enhancing drug.

Clottey, however, said that he is not among those who believes Pacquiao is dirty.

"Manny is a good man. He prays a lot. God gave him his power. He is a great champion, and this is going to be a difficult fight," said Clottey. "However, I have a plan: Hard punching, back him up, don't let him take charge. I will pressure him."

Source: boxing.fanhouse.com