Clottey Vs Pacquiao

Next Attraction: Pacquiao vs. Margarito at Cowboys Stadium?

2010-01-23T23:08:00.000-08:00

Suspended boxer Antonio Margarito may see action in the under card of Pacquiao-Clottey match on March 13 if the State of Texas grants him a new license. He may have a crack at Pacquiao late this year if he wins over Carson Jones in the under card
Depending on the outcome of the boxing license application of Antonio Margarito in Texas, a possible match-up between the Mexican boxer and Manny Pacquiao could take place at the Cowboys Stadium late this year.
Promoter Bob Arum said Margarito is free to regain his license after his current California disciplinary period ends Feb. 11, and he's scheduled to fight Carson Jones in a junior-middleweight fight.
"If he looks good on the Texas card, a major match at the same stadium later would be Pacquiao-Margarito," Arum said. Pacquiao will fight Joshua Clottey in a welterweight bout expected to attract 40,000.
Margarito, who is a former welterweight champion was suspended from professional boxing in the State of California during his fight with Shane Mosley last January 24, 2009 at the Staples Center in California. His suspension came about when the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) investigators was prompted by a complaint from the Mosley camp about a pasty white substance present in his hand wraps prior to the fight.
The California Department of Justice laboratory later confirmed the substance to be similar in nature to plaster of paris. As a result of the incident Margarito was forced to re wrap his hands multiple times before the fight. The California State Athletic Commission judged the evidence and considered him and his trainer Javier Capetillo guilty of altering his bandages, suspending him for 'at least a year' on February 10, 2009.
During the investigation, Margarito claimed that he was not aware of the presence of illegal substances in his hand wraps but the commission said otherwise. His trainer Jose Capetillo was later asked to sever ties with Margarito.
The Mexican-American boxer who is the former WBA , IBF and WBO welterweight champion, is reportedly training in Tijuana, Mexico for his fight in the under card of the Pacquiao-Clottey match against Carson Jones at the Cowboys Stadium in Texas.

Get to know Joshua Clottey

2010-01-23T23:06:00.000-08:00

So we’re not getting the fight we wanted.

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

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

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

* * *

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

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

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

* * *

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

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

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

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

* * *

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

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

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

* * *

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

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

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

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

* * *

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

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

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

source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/

Pacquiao-Clottey tickets on fire on first day of sales

2010-01-23T22:35:00.000-08:00

NEW YORK -- Sure, most boxing fans really, really wanted to see pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao fight Floyd Mayweather on March 13. While that fight isn't happening now because of their inability to agree on how to handle drug testing for the bout, the public seems to have accepted with open arms Pacquiao's replacement fight.

He's going to meet former welterweight titleholder Joshua Clottey on HBO PPV on March 13 in the first boxing event to be held at the new Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, outside of Dallas.

In just the first three hours of public tickets sales (preceded by three days of limited pre-sales) on Saturday, more than 20,000 of the approximately 40,000 available were gobbled up. They ranged in price from $50 to $700.

"Ross Greenburg and I are very gratified that the public has responded like they have, and we are happy for our partner (Cowboys owner) Jerry Jones," Top Rank promoter Bob Arum told me on Saturday night at the Madison Square Garden Theater.

Arum and Greenburg, the president of HBO Sports, were sitting together shortly before the telecast of Top Rank's doubleheader, featuring featherweight title bouts pitting Steven Luevano and Juan Manuel Lopez and Yuriorkis Gamboa and Rogers Mtagwa.

Arum said if the demand for the fight continues the capacity of the stadium, which is 100,000 or so for Cowboys games, can easily be increased.

"It's going to be quite a night," Arum said. "And Jerry isn't just a one-event guy. If he sees this as a success you can be sure he'll do more boxing in that great stadium."

Also Saturday night, junior middleweight titlist Yuri Foreman and former welterweight titlist Miguel Cotto were in the house. Arum, who promotes both, was talking with both sides trying to finalize a June 12 fight between them, which he is planning for in the Madison Square Garden main arena.

source:http://sports.espn.go.com

Boxing sticker shock: Pricing for Pacquaio vs. Clottey

2010-01-21T23:23:00.000-08:00

Just received a presale offer from the Cowboys for the Manny Pacquaio-Joshua Clottey fight on March 13 at Cowboys Stadium.

Want a ticket on the floor? It'll cost $700, which is pricier than the priciest seat at Cowboys Stadium. For $500, you can get a seat on the floor in either end of the end zone. For bowl seating, prices range from $300 (which are approximately aligned with the video board on both sides of the stadium) to $50 for end zone corners.

Presale tickets go on sale Friday. Tickets go on sale to the general public through Ticketmaster at 10 a.m. Saturday.

In addition to hyping the fight as "the first of its kind to take place in North Texas," the Cowboys note that floor seating is elevated to increase the quality of the sightlines. And of course, they say the fight will be shown in the stadium on the "largest HD Quality Television in the World."

source: http://stadiumblog.dallasnews.com/

Pacquiao Vs Clottey Live

2010-01-21T23:16:00.000-08:00

Pacquiao Vs Clottey - Saturday, March 13 at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium - LIVE! on Pay-Per-View

See it here first!

For tickets go to ticketmaster.com
They start as low as $50.

Joshua Clottey's chance of a lifetime

2010-01-21T23:15:00.001-08:00

In my opinion, Jushua Clottey should've beaten Miguel Cotto in his last fight- except that he didn't.

Not that he wasn't capable of doing so, it was more of his inability to muster enough heart and will for him to steal the victory in the 'money' rounds.

If he didn't then, he has to now. For his next opponent has plenty of both.

Manny Pacquiao is not considered the best fighter in the planet for laying down and fading when it matters most. It's actually quite the opposite.

In his last loss against Erik Morales way back in 2005, Pacquiao's best round of the fight was the 12th and final round when Morales obliged him by going toe-to-toe.

As it is with the greats- they don't crack under pressure. On March 13, Joshua Clottey will have an opportunity of a lifetime to find out whether he truly has what it takes.

So how did Joshua Clottey get the opportunity to fight the world's best if he practically "choked" in his last fight according to my previous statements?

Quite honestly by chance- plus the fact that he is an absolute monster.

When Floyd Mayweather Jr. made it impossible for a fight with Manny Pacquiao to happen, and when Pacquiao didn't want to hurdle another weight class by going up to 154 to fight Yuri Foreman, Clottey's tough reputation and favorable inclination with Top Rank allowed him to get the call.

Clottey's 2 real losses have come at the once-proven dirty hands of Antonio Margarito and that razor-thin split decision loss to Cotto. Clottey has never been knocked out in his career before, and with his huge frame and superior defense, it's hard to fathom seeing the rugged Ghanaian going down against a much smaller man in Pacquiao.

That will be the challenge for both him and Pacquiao though. Pacquiao has defied odds and logic and retired more boxing legends in the past decade than any other fighter. Clottey on the other hand aims to create a legend of his own by slaying the legend-killer.

By beating Pacquiao, Clottey can exorcise his demons and redeem himself for the times he fell short. On his part, he has vowed to 'shock the world' and go for a knockout. I hope Pacquiao is listening, because unlike the brittle hands of Floyd Mayweather Jr., Clottey's fists can definitely back up his 'talking'.

source: http://www.examiner.com/

PACQUIAO DEMANDS EVIDENCE; BURDEN OF PROOF ON ATLAS AND SMITH

2010-01-21T23:14:00.001-08:00

In an article by Manny Pacquiao at Philboxing.com, he expressed his sentiments regarding the accusations of steroids that were undeservingly put upon him.

Manny Pacquiao stated, in his native language, that he will not be held hostage by shallow talk and accusations regarding his supposed use of steroids and performance enhancing drugs. According to Pacquiao, he filed the lawsuit against the accused because they destroyed his good reputation and he is hoping that those who abused their ‘freedom of speech’ by spouting baseless accusations will pay a high price.

One of the hardest working boxers in the sport, Pacquiao has worked hard to get where he is and for someone to take that away without furnishing any evidence is irresponsible. What is more troubling is when some of his colleagues basically accused or implied that Pacquiao must be on something without holding any substantial proof, especially when they know how the steroid issue can tarnish an athlete’s reputation. I will not even mention their names since publicity is probably the only thing that they were after.

When Jose Canseco accused Mark McGwire and Alex Rodriguez of using steroids, he either had hard or circumstantial evidence. He had said that he injected McGwire with steroids when they were teammates and introduced Rodriguez to a known steroid supplier. In fact, in other sports, you don’t hear other athletes admonish or link their colleagues to steroids until hard evidence is found.

One can even argue that it’s the same way in boxing and Pacquiao is only being singled out. It’s laughable when some imply that Pacquiao’s legacy is now tarnished, yet at the same time, rave about the accomplishments of other boxers who have been linked to steroids, such as Shane Mosley.

Pacquiao also mentioned that he, along with his team, planned to be quiet since the lawsuit is already in court and that he believes that justice, similar to God, whom he credits for strength and courage, does not sleep.

But word of the ‘email’ scandal had reached him and he specifically mentioned the incident during ESPN’s Friday Night Fights when Teddy Atlas informed the viewing audience that a ‘reliable’ source informed him of an email, sent by a member of Team Pacquiao, that had been sent to the camp of Mayweather, which asked the latter camp if the results can be kept a secret if Pacquiao somehow tested positive for banned substances. Pacquiao further mentioned that he tried to ignore it, but he cannot stomach such malicious journalism.

Pacquiao assured everyone that no one on his team was behind this ‘email’ scandal that Teddy Atlas and Tim Smith had reported. According to him, it must have been created or invented by someone with a malicious mind and character. Also, he was bothered by the fact that no one thought of the fact that anyone can make a fake email address in order to impersonate someone and damage a person’s character.

He also mentioned that it must be a trend to judge someone even before talking to all the people involved so that each party that will be affected can give their opinion or position on the matter. Would it have been such a difficult task for Atlas to place a phone call to Freddie Roach or other members of Team Pacquiao to get their side of the story, considering the large number of viewers that a network of ESPN’s magnitude can attract? Teddy could have still told the viewers about the email, but also could have given Team Pacquiao’s side of the story.

Pacquiao also alluded that he is saddened that many have already crucified him as guilty until he proves himself innocent when it should be the other way around and as a result, Pacquiao in his article, stated, “Ngayon, hinahamon ko sila Smith at Atlas, kasama na rin ang ESPN, na ilabas nila ang mabaho nilang ebidensiya, para na rin sa hustisya, kung may respeto pa sila sa kanilang mga sarili at kung may tunay silang professional etiquette. Dahil kung hindi, habambuhay ko silang tatawaging sinungaling.”

Translation:

“Now, I challenge Smith, Atlas along with ESPN to show their evidence for the sake of justice if they have any respect left for themselves and real professional etiquette. If not, then I will call them liars as long as I live”

The steroid issue is obviously troubling Pacquiao more than previously thought, but it is also evident that he will not be bullied and content enough within himself that he’s achieved the pinnacle of his sport by doing it the right way. So, as Ed De La Vega of Philboxing.com said in one of his previous article, let the burden of proof be on the accusers.

I'll Shock The World- Clottey

2010-01-21T23:12:00.000-08:00

Ghana's Joshua Clottey has promised to shock the world by knocking out the world's best pound-for-pound fighter Manny 'Pacman' Pacquiao, when the two clash on March 13 in Dallas.

Speaking in an interview with East Side Boxing of the USA, Clottey 35-3 (20) whose last fight was a loss to Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto, said he had always dreamt about fighting the best boxer and therefore the fight against Pacman is a dream-come-true.

“Yes, this is the fight I have always wanted. I've always wanted fights like this - against the best fighters in the world,” he told the renowned East Side Boxing.

He explained: “I really want to prove my point in this fight; prove to the whole world that I am the best. I'm so happy to get this fight with the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.”

Clottey, who jetted to the USA on Tuesday to sign for the bout, said he had started some light training, jogging in the morning and in the evening.

On who to spar with since Pacquiao is a southpaw, Clottey said he would think about it later.

“But one thing about me is I know how to handle southpaws easy. Miguel Cotto switched to southpaw in the fight and it was no problem. So I'm not concerned about Pacquiao's stance. I can handle that good.”

He commended Top Rank for arranging the biggest fight of his career. By Charles Nixon Yeboah

Clottey vows: I’ll fight Pacquiao to the last

2010-01-21T23:11:00.000-08:00

CEBU CITY—What Manny Pacquiao wants in a fight he’ll get from Joshua Clottey.

The muscular Ghanaian has vowed not to run, saying he’ll bring the fight to the Filipino pound-for-pound superstar from the opening bell.

“I will follow him; I will come forward in the fight,” the 33-year-old Clottey told James Slater of eastsideboxing.com on Wednesday.

Grateful for the fight opportunity given him by Pacquiao and Top Rank Promotions, Clottey said he wants to return the favor by promising a hell of a fight for the World Boxing Organization welterweight title bout on March 13 at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

“I want Manny Pacquiao to know that he picked a guy who will give him all that he wants,” Clottey also told Lem Satterfield of Boxing Fanhouse in another interview. “I’m going to fight until the last bell.”

In his last fight, Pacquiao was left pursuing a backpedalling Miguel Cotto in the last few rounds, eventually stopping the Puerto Rican in the 12th. Cotto came into the fight at a catch weight of 145 pounds after salvaging a close decision over Clottey.

Clottey is over two inches taller than Pacquiao at nearly 5-foot-9 and is expected to tip the scales at around 160 lb on fight night. It would make him the biggest man the General Santos lefty has ever faced in the ring.

After vacationing with his family on Samal Island, Pacquiao plans to leave for Los Angeles on Sunday, according to boxing promoter and trusted confidante Rex “Wakee” Salud.

Pacquiao will be accompanied by trainer Nonoy Neri, lawyer Jing Gacal and adviser Michael Koncz.

Top Rank honcho Bob Arum has scheduled a kickoff press conference for the bout at the Cowboys Stadium on Jan. 19.

source: http://sports.inquirer.net

Teddy (Bundy) Atlas blasts boxing, the internet and Pacquiao anew-- Marley too

2010-01-21T23:09:00.001-08:00

"Tell him to go get an apology from Tim Smith at the Daily News. As soon as he gets that apology then he'll get my apology. I'm really not going to talk too much about this because again, the internet to me is like a graffiti board and it justs gets more and more, I mean you got people like Mike Marley out there who are just low-life people. To me, I feel dirty every time I go near the internet. I feel like I got to take a shower or something."

Those were some of ESPN's TV boxing analyst Teddy Atlas' fighting words when G. Leon of Boxing Talk inquired about his controversial statements on last Friday night's ESPN FNF.

Atlas spoke in length, but the few things that needed answers -- like who his source was regarding those alleged "e-mails"-- remained unanswered. Perhaps maybe because Atlas never truly had any "breaking" revelation and simply was adding to the "internet clutter" he himself vocally detested but cheapening ESPN with his allegations against Pacquiao that were not supported by any facts.

Why is the truth so secret when the trash talk and the allegations are already being made public? That simply just does not make sense to me.

It's funny because I was talking to our Boxing Examiner Michael Marley the other day and he asked me, "D, do you really think Atlas should be fired? That's a bit harsh." And I told him, "You know what, I just want him to show some proof because I'm tired of all these Golden Boy people and Mayweather people throwing all this dirt without giving any of us any form of proof. I don't wish harm on the guy and his livelihood, but when you are given a powerful tool like TV, you better make sure you can back-up such allegations,"

Marley went on to describe that Atlas was a respectable guy and all that, and if you want proof of this conversation, I have a reliable source who has seen the e-mail conversation I had with Marley. Kidding aside, do I really need to make up a conversation with me and the White Gorilla?

Anyhow, it's quite ironic how a veteran scribe like Marley can be complimentary of another veteran trainer in the sport like Atlas only to be rewarded by getting trashed in public by the same guy. Man, these old people. (just kidding MM)

Atlas also bashed Pacquiao's team members and the sport of boxing itself when he said,

"I don't think he has any rocket scientists around his group. You ever watch 24/7? (laughs) I mean none of these guys have rocket scientists around them. That's all I can say. It seems on the surface like a very stupid thing to do, to obviously have a record of something that can be incriminating or potentially look as though there's something that leads towards something inappropriate by even asking such a question? Yeah, I agree. And that was the first thing I asked. Why would somebody be so stupid to leave a paper trail on that? But yeah, these people that are around boxing, both as writers, both on the internet, both as people who get to hang around the camp and wind up becoming people that are involved in their careers, they're not rocket scientists and it just makes me sick.

"This is the reason I want to get out of boxing, I don't want to be around it no more. Everybody wants to get in for some reason. I don't know why. They think it's glorious or something, but I wish I could get out of this sport." (source Boxingtalk.com G. Leon)

Well if this guy is really dying to leave the sport of boxing, allow me to assist him out the door. I could care less what Atlas has done in the past because it looks to me like he is just taking what he can get from boxing now and trashing it on his way out. Please, you are not above the sport. And if you think you are God's gift to boxing, then allow me to tell you straight up, it's bitter, negative and biased old-timers like you who are cock-blocking (like a rooster who is blocking the entrance to a rooster-sized door) hungry and motivated people who want to make it in boxing. It's attitude like yours that is killing the sport. Leave. Boxing needs new blood anyway, because if this sport is to continue on thriving, it needs a new generation, not just of boxers, but writers, promoters and fans of the sport as well.

If it weren't for internet boxing writers, BOXING WOULD BE 10 TIMES WORSE THAN WHAT IT IS TODAY! In case you noticed, nobody hardly watched mainstream boxing on TV anymore and when they do, they have to listen to baseless allegations like Atlas'. It's funny to that he said that since the interview he was doing was for a boxing website. Ahh.. The many self-contradictions of Teddy Atlas. He could've just ended the whole mess by revealing his source and the whole story, and yet he opted to just keep us hanging and play defensive while acting all upset for being held accountable for his controversial statements.

Here's what other people had to say about Atlas:

"I used to like him a lot but I tink he is a f*ck*ng a**ho*e. He never gave credit to Manny, and what he’s preaching right now are all lies." -- Freddie Roach told Philboxing.com.

Shaun Hassen Obsum wrote, "internet is garbage? how come he believes in e-mail? lolz! he is a joke just like Mayweather"

Earlvin Cruz wrote, "He also said that he wanted to step away from boxing..I can't wait..."

SR wrote, "If he's feeling dirty each time he's near the internet - he should stay off the p0rn sites!! haha."

source: examiner.com

Underestimate Clottey?

2010-01-12T23:25:00.000-08:00

"Joshua who?"

That's what a lot of casual fans together with some Manny Pacquiao fans were saying when Top Rank chief Bob Arum announced that Ghanan former welterweight champ Joshua Clottey (35-3-0-20KOs) was to step in as Pacquiao's dance partner on March 13 at the magnificent billion-dollar Cowboys stadium in Dallas, Texas.

That's understandable. Compared to the guy he's stepping in for, some dude named Floyd "Money" Mayweather, Clottey is a relative unknown to mainstream media. So a lot of the casual fans who were drawn in from all the Pacquiao-Mayweather hype were left scratching their heads trying to figure out who this Clottey guy is. Well, allow me to be one of the many boxing insiders that will tell you that Clottey is a very dangerous fight for Pacquiao. Emphasis on "very".

Clottey is more than capable to derail the Pac Man and in my honest opinion, is a much tougher fight for Pacquiao than Mayweather. I was talking to Boxing Truth Radio host John Chavez the other day and he pretty much echoed my sentiments. He even went as far as saying that he doesn't see an aspect in his (Clottey) game that Mayweather is significantly better at. He also said at the TBT show last night that he would pick Clottey to beat Mosley or Berto at the moment. As surprising as that may sound, I can see where Chavez is coming from. Clottey has great foot speed and defense and is built like a tank. Mind you this, Clottey hydrates up to as much as 170 pounds which he weighed against Corrales in 2007 on the night of the fight.

Here's more of what Chavez had to say about Clottey,

While Pacquiao undoubtedly made me a believer in his abilities following the Miguel Cotto fight, Joshua Clottey might be the most underrated welterweight on the planet right now. The Ghanan fighter possesses the skillset to give the "Pacman" some serious difficulties being that he's a very polished technical boxer from every standpoint.

"The Hitter's" defense is what I consider to be one of the best in the welterweight division comprising of a tight guard, great upper body movement, and sharp footwork. While some will state that Clottey isn't busy enough with his work-rate, I believe that this works to his benefit when facing off against Manny being that it will make it tough for the "Pacman" to land consistently and cleanly.

While size has been an asset that hasn't proved to be able to overcome Pacquiao's size deficiency at 147 pounds, Clottey is undoubtedly one of the biggest welterweights today and without a catch-weight for this fight, it will most definitely show on Fight Night.

Pacquiao-Clottey is a great fight on paper and will translate itself as such when the initial bell rings. Don't let the lack of a "big name" fool you... Clottey provides more stylistic difficulties than anyone else in boxing not named Paul Williams or Floyd Mayweather Jr. for Manny.

I'll make one thing very clear, if Manny beats Clottey... he beats Floyd.

To off-set Clottey's size advantage however, Pacquiao's camp has asked for a 144 catch-weight for the fight, which to me doesn't sound too bad except for the fact that Clottey has never weighed in at that weight in about ten years. Honestly, this leaves a bad taste in my mouth. It was alright to ask Cotto to lose two pounds but Clottey to drop to 144 is almost similar to having Dela Hoya drop to 147 except that now we know Pacquiao can manage to fight at welter. If Clottey was too big for Pacquiao, he should've just fought someone his size- maybe even someone like Edwin Valero or Humberto Sotto. Those two are still tough opponents and Pacquiao doesn't need to go up against killers all the time does he? But then again, that's why people love him I guess, I just don't think that 144 catch-weight is necessary against Clottey. If I can find one positive out of it though is that, Pacquiao knows he is still the smaller guy and if he was indeed on steroids, all these catch-weights would have never mattered.

(UPDATE: I wrote this article last night and as of press time, reports were that Pacquiao was to fight Clottey at 144. I have received word however that this will be fought at the 147 weight limit. I apologize for any confusion Michael Koncz has caused upon myself with his statements in the media. I should really stop listening what that guy says)

Regardless though, Clottey is still a tough opponent and many even say he should've won his last fight against Miguel Cotto. Personally, I thought Cotto won but had Clottey applied more pressure in the last two rounds, something he could've done since Cotto was backing up through the final rounds of the fight, definitely would've had his hand raised by the ref at the end of the night.

By taking on Clottey, I think Pacquiao is sending a message. He would rather fight bigger and tougher opponents than to shortchange his fans by fighting a smaller and over-matched fighter. Whether that message blows up on his face is something we have to wait to see on March 13.

source: examiner.com

11,520 reasons to see Pacquiao-Clottey in Dallas

2010-01-12T23:21:00.001-08:00

I will literally fly to Dallas to watch Manny Pacquiao face Joshua Clottey so I can watch the fight on TV. No joke. If you live around the Dallas area and want to watch the fight, why shelf out $50 for Pay-Per-View when you can buy tickets for pretty much the same price at the nosebleeds and be in the middle of the excitement and fight vibe and still get a great view of the action? That's a no-brainer.

Because sitting atop the new billion-dollar Dallas Cowboys stadium, or what some fans call "Jerryland" attributing to the stadium's owner and visionary Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, is the largest high-definition TV screen in the entire galaxy. Sounds epic right? It is. At 160 feet wide, the TV is more than half of the football field itself.

Fight fans will definitely be in for a new and historic experience that might just change how big-time boxing is done forever. As they say, everything is bigger in Texas, and what better place to showcase the biggest star in boxing than in one of the biggest, most sophisticated and state-of-the-art stadiums in America?

Texas is also home to a huge Mexican and Latino population, a demographic Pacquiao has captured with his action-packed fighting style and sensational victories over the best Mexico had to offer. A fight of this magnitude is a welcome treat for the loyal Latino fan base in Texas and also reunites Pacquiao with the state where he first shot to superstardom after defeating Mexican legend Marco Antonio Barrera in 2003. And who wouldn't want to see an irresistible force meet an immovable object once again? The wrecking ball in Pacquiao ran himself into another brick wall with the huge and tough Clottey. A lot of boxing experts even say this will be a tougher match-up for him than Mayweather. I agree!

There's really so many reasons why I am excited to see this fight go down in Dallas. But borrowing a quote from a famous football related movie, "they got me at "hello"- in other words, the HD TV."

source : examiner.com

COWBOYS STADIUM HITS A GUSHER LANDING PACQUIAO-CLOTTEY WORLD WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP!

2010-01-12T23:19:00.000-08:00

Saturday, March 13, 2010
Live on Pay-Per-View!

ARLINGTON, TX (January 10, 2010) – The stars will fight, big and bright, deep in the heart of Texas!

Jerry Jones and Bob Arum, owner of the Dallas Cowboys and chairman of Top Rank, respectively, announced today that Cowboys Stadium would be the site of the MANNY PACQUIAO vs. JOSHUA CLOTTEY World Welterweight Championship fight taking place on Saturday, March 13 and broadcast Live on Pay-Per-View. Formal news conferences at Cowboys Stadium and in New York next week will provide details on tickets and the pay-per-view broadcast. Pacquiao vs. Clottey will be promoted by Top Rank, in association with the Dallas Cowboys and MP Promotions.
Pacquiao and Clottey boast a combine record of 85-6-2 (59 KOs) -- a winning percentage of 91% and a victory by knockout ratio of nearly 70%.
“I have wanted to bring a major boxing event to North Texas for many years, so why not bring in the biggest and the best?” asked Jones. “Manny Pacquiao is boxing’s No. 1 pound for pound attraction and the world champion. Manny defending his title against Joshua Clottey is not just a great fight, it’s a great event, and one we can showcase to the fullest in Cowboys Stadium. We’re going to promote this like it was the Super Bowl.”

Cowboys Stadium will be configured for 40,000 fans for the event.

“Jerry Jones knows exactly how big and important this event is which is why it was so easy to put this deal together,” said Arum. “As a lifelong Giants fan I had to receive special dispensation from Steve Tisch, the Giants’ Chairman and Executive Vice President, to bring this event to Cowboys Stadium and he blessed the deal. If Jerry could sell me on Cowboys Stadium and the North Texas market, you know he is going to have no problems selling out Cowboys Stadium on March 13. We are ready to roll up our sleeves and promote Manny’s debut as World Welterweight Champion. Manny Pacquiao is the lone star of boxing. There isn’t a more appropriate place in the world for him to fight!”

Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38 KOs), of General Santos City, Philippines, will be defending the World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title he earned in his last fight, produced by a 12th round knockout of three-time world champion Miguel Cotto. Pacquiao’s victory made him the first man to win seven titles in as many different weight divisions, with his last three world championships coming by way of knockout. The consensus Fighter of the Year for the third time in the past four years, Pacquiao’s resume features victories over future Hall of Famers, including Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, Juan Manuel Lopez and Cotto. His knockout victories over Cotto and Hatton made him the 2009 pay-per-view king, exceeding two million buys combined.

Clottey (35-3, 21 KOs), a native of Accra, Ghana, now fighting out of Bronx, NY, captured the International Boxing Federation (IBF) welterweight title in 2008 by trouncing three-time world champion Zab Judah. His career has been a highlight reel of thrills featuring victories over two-division world champion Diego Corrales and undfeated contender Richard Gutierrez and a close decision losse to world champion Antonio Margarito. In his last fight Clottey lost a controversial split decision to defending WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto at Madison Square Garden. Clottey is currently world-rated No. 1 by the WBO and No. 4 by the World Boxing Association (WBA).

Freddie Roach says focus now on Clottey, believes mega-fight will happen someday

2010-01-12T23:18:00.000-08:00

Boxing fans hanging on to the hope that a mega-fight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. could still happen on the originally scheduled date of March 13 at the MGM Grand are wasting their time, according to Pacquiao's head trainer, Freddie Roach.

Roach, who has worked with Pacquiao since 2001, said at this point there is no hope that the fight with Mayweather could still work on that date and that his fighter's focus has shifted to Ghanaian fighter Joshua Clottey.

"I don't think there's any hope, the deadline for HBO is past," Roach told the Las Vegas Sun today. "Manny is going to fight Clottey on March 13 and we're just going to move on."

Nearly every detail of the proposed mega-fight between the top two pound-for-pound fighters in the world had been hammered out except for the method of drug testing.

Negotiations hit a stalemate in December when Mayweather demanded that Pacquiao undergo Olympic-style drug testing that included random blood tests. The Nevada State Athletic Commission traditionally requires fighters to undergo random urine tests, not blood tests.

When Pacquaio refused, both sides attempted a final effort to save the fight last week, meeting with a mediator, retired judge Daniel Weinstein, in Santa Monica, Calif.

When Mayweather again refused to agree to the terms set by the mediator Wednesday night, Roach says the Pacquiao camp knew the fight was dead.

"I definitely thought this fight would happen when Manny beat Miguel (Cotto, in November)," Roach said. "Floyd had made his comeback and looked really good against (Juan Manuel) Marquez. He had a tune-up fight under his belt and he's a talented guy. I was looking forward to the challenge.

"But as we got close to the fight we could see Floyd pulling away. Bottom line is he just doesn't want to fight."

Despite comments made by Mayweather on Thursday that he still wanted to fight Pacquiao, the Filipino's camp immediately went into making other arrangements.

It had been initially rumored when the Mayweather talks began to fall through that Pacquiao's promoter, Bob Arum, was looking at either Paulie Malignaggi or Yuri Foreman as potential opponents for Pacquiao.

Roach said Saturday tha the decision to move to Clottey (35-3, 20 KO) was based on the fact the trainer wants to see his fighter in exciting fights, something he didn't feel would happen against either Malignaggi or Foreman.

"I wanted an action fight, I don't want Manny in a boring fight," Roach said. "With Paulie it would be a blowout. Let's face it, he's not in the same class as Manny Pacquiao or Floyd Mayweather. Yuri Foreman is a good fighter, he's clever, but he's boring.

"I wanted Manny in an action fight and that's what we got with Clottey."

According to Roach, Pacquiao still will arrive at his Los Angeles gym on Monday to begin preparations — the same schedule the fighter was going to follow for the Mayweather fight.

Pacquiao's representatives are expected to meet with Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones today about hosting the fight with Clottey at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Although Roach says the camp has shifted its focus to Clottey, Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38 KO) remains disappointed that the fight with Mayweather (40-0, 25 KO) was derailed.

"He wants to fight the best fighters out there and Floyd is definitely one of them," Roach said. "I had been studying his style and coming up with a game plan and we were mentally getting ready for that fight. It's disappointing because the whole world wants to see that fight and it would have been good for boxing because boxing needs that.

"But we can't force people to fight each other. He has all the excuses in the world and that's just what it is."

Roach also added that if Pacquiao defeats Clottey, they would look to the winner of a fight between Shane Mosley and Andre Berto as their next opponent. That fight is scheduled for Jan. 30 in Las Vegas.

Pacquiao won't meet Mayweather in the ring March 13, but he might see him in court.

The Filipino filed a defamation lawsuit against Mayweather and his camp based on allegations they had made that Pacquiao used illegal, performance-enhancing drugs to help him successfully go up in weight classes in recent years.

When asked if the lawsuit was legitimate or more for publicity value, Roach said Pacquiao's anger toward the Mayweather camp is 100 percent real.

"He's really angry about it — the thing is all of a sudden these guys think they are drug experts," Roach said. "My fighter has never tested positive for any illegal substance, not even cough medicine or anything like that. I have trouble giving him vitamins and protein shakes.

"Look at his moods; he's always smiling. Steroids usually don't let you do that. Why can't people just realize he's a good fighter? All the greats — Roberto Duran, Sugar Ray Leonard — went up in weight because that's where the competition is. I know that Manny Pacquiao is clean for a fact. I'm with him every day in training camp and I know him very well. He would never do something like that."

While Roach says there's no shot that the mega-fight will still happen in March, he said he does believe Pacquiao and Mayweather will fight eventually.

In addition to a matchup the world wants to see, the fight was expected to be the richest in boxing history, with each fighter making as much as $50 million.

"I do think it will happen eventually," Roach said. "I don't think that either one of them has many other options out there if they want to keep fighting the big fights. And if Mayweather keeps gambling and living the lifestyle he does, he's going to need money again."

source: lasvegassun