Pacquiao looking for KO against Clottey
by Corey E
Pacquiao looking for KO against Clottey
Although Manny Pacquiao tends to be the smaller man when he enters the boxing ring, those watching him fight tend to forget it once the bell rings.
Despite a rapid rise through the weight classes, beginning his professional career at a whopping 107 pounds, and now reigning as the WBO welterweight champion at 147 pounds, the Filipino whirlwind has overwhelmed opponents at every level.
This Saturday, Pacquiao may be a boxing betting favorite once again, but he will be inside the squared circle with the strongest opponent he has ever faced in Joshua Clottey.
Clottey, a brawny Ghanaian fighter who has been touted as one of boxing's most dangerous and avoided fighters, has never been knocked out, and moreover, has never been beaten decisively.
According to Pacquiao's Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach, that will change over the weekend.
“He's a big, strong guy, but size doesn't win fights--skill does,” said Roach to Digital Journal. “Joshua will not be a problem. Manny will overwhelm him with speed and combinations. He will be the first person to stop Clottey.”
The difficulty is that Clottey is a defensive master, regarded as perhaps the best defensive fighter in the sport. Using a high, tight guard, Clottey is able to cover his face and kidneys with his long arms, making hitting him clean an unenviable task.
However, Clottey puts himself at a disadvantage by thinking defensively first, and is often fairly inactive in terms of punch output in certain rounds. He has also never faced a puncher the likes of Pacquiao before, and if the boxing odds are any indication, many believe that he could be a bit overwhelmed.
Roach has also assured the media that Pacquiao has no plans of fighting power with power against the bigger man.
“We're not gonna be there when he's counter punching, because when he throws, we're not gonna be there,” proclaimed Roach.
In the end, Roach's prediction of a knockout may not be the wisest one for those betting on boxing to take, despite the odds on the BetUs sportsbook. Clottey may be just complicated and stubborn enough to keep the fight going for 12 full rounds, even if he may not win.
For Pacquiao, who still does not know whether he will continue on in the sport of boxing, the plan is to ensure that he can go out on a winning note.
Or into a showdown with Floyd Mayweather.
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