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

Dallas Boxing Examiner | Matt Stolow

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The difference is the clout of Jerry Jones.

Source: Examiner.com

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

By Evan Korn | January 20, 2010

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

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

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

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

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

On whether or not Pacquiao is underestimating him...

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

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

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

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

On his gameplan for the fight...

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

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

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

I'm training already.

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

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

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

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

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

Source: fighthype.com

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

By Evan Korn | January 20, 2010

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

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

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

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

On the defamation lawsuit that was filed...

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

On changing opponents from Mayweather to Clottey...

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

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

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

On his place in boxing history...

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

On the possibility of Mosley fighting Mayweather...

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

More on blood testing...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

On what concerns him about Clottey...

Source: fighthype.com

Clottey stunned by Pacquiao chance: This is my miracle fight

Boxing Examiner | Michael Marley

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Source: Examiner.com

Exclusive photos of Dallas Pacquiao vs. Clottey press conference

Dallas Boxing Examiner | Matt Stolow

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Source: Examiner.com

Big fight looks bigger in Texas

By Jeff Zimmerman

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Source: fightnews.com

Pacquiao vs Clottey Dallas Press Conference (Top Rank)

Source: Examiner.com