Pacquiao toys with Clottey
Source: Agencies |
March 15, 2010, Monday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
FILIPINO Manny Pacquiao produced a dominating display to outclass Ghanaian Joshua Clottey and retain his WBO welterweight title with a unanimous points win in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday.
Pacquiao's speed and relentless punching proved too much for his bigger opponent, who offered little attacking threat in front of nearly 51,000 fans at Cowboys Stadium, the home of the Dallas National Football League team.
"I stayed focused to create some strategy to dominate him," Pacquiao told reporters. "He's a very good defensive fighter. I was looking for a strategy to beat that defense, like body shots, uppercuts. It worked."
Clottey concentrated on keeping his hands held high in front of his face to block his opponent's non-stop attack in a lop-sided contest.
One judge awarded every round to Pacquiao with the other two giving a 119-109 verdict. The champion landed 20 percent of the 1,231 punches he threw.
The fight was more of an event than a real competition, bringing in the biggest crowd in the US for a fight since Julio Cesar Chavez fought Pernell Whitaker at the Alamodome in 1993. It paid off handsomely for Pacquiao, though, who won at least US$12 million.
Whilst Pacquiao spoke respectfully of his opponent, the Filipino's trainer Freddy Roach was upset by Clottey's negative display.
"World title fights come once in a lifetime. If you don't have the balls to take it, and you just want to survive ... well," Roach said.
"Why not go for it and put it all on the line? I'm frustrated that he didn't try to win the fight."
Following constant encouragement to attack more from his corner, Clottey did land some blows, with a left uppercut followed by a heavy left hook in the 10th round, which Pacquiao admitted rattled him.
"He's strong. Some of his punches hurt," said the champion.
Pacquiao, considered the best pound-for-pound fighter, improved to 51-3-2 (38 knockouts).
Clottey, who dropped to 35-4, praised his elusive opponent. "He's very, very fast," the Ghanaian said. "I tried to catch him up and then when I get to him, he's strong too."
The outcome inevitably led to talk of a possible showdown between Pacquiao and undefeated American Floyd Mayweather Jr.
"I want that fight, the world wants that fight, but it's up to him," Pacquiao said. "I'm ready to fight any time."
That time won't come soon. Mayweather is fighting Shane Mosley on May 1, and the earliest the two could get together would be in the fall and only if Mayweather backs off his demands for blood testing.
Pacquiao's speed and relentless punching proved too much for his bigger opponent, who offered little attacking threat in front of nearly 51,000 fans at Cowboys Stadium, the home of the Dallas National Football League team.
"I stayed focused to create some strategy to dominate him," Pacquiao told reporters. "He's a very good defensive fighter. I was looking for a strategy to beat that defense, like body shots, uppercuts. It worked."
Clottey concentrated on keeping his hands held high in front of his face to block his opponent's non-stop attack in a lop-sided contest.
One judge awarded every round to Pacquiao with the other two giving a 119-109 verdict. The champion landed 20 percent of the 1,231 punches he threw.
The fight was more of an event than a real competition, bringing in the biggest crowd in the US for a fight since Julio Cesar Chavez fought Pernell Whitaker at the Alamodome in 1993. It paid off handsomely for Pacquiao, though, who won at least US$12 million.
Whilst Pacquiao spoke respectfully of his opponent, the Filipino's trainer Freddy Roach was upset by Clottey's negative display.
"World title fights come once in a lifetime. If you don't have the balls to take it, and you just want to survive ... well," Roach said.
"Why not go for it and put it all on the line? I'm frustrated that he didn't try to win the fight."
Following constant encouragement to attack more from his corner, Clottey did land some blows, with a left uppercut followed by a heavy left hook in the 10th round, which Pacquiao admitted rattled him.
"He's strong. Some of his punches hurt," said the champion.
Pacquiao, considered the best pound-for-pound fighter, improved to 51-3-2 (38 knockouts).
Clottey, who dropped to 35-4, praised his elusive opponent. "He's very, very fast," the Ghanaian said. "I tried to catch him up and then when I get to him, he's strong too."
The outcome inevitably led to talk of a possible showdown between Pacquiao and undefeated American Floyd Mayweather Jr.
"I want that fight, the world wants that fight, but it's up to him," Pacquiao said. "I'm ready to fight any time."
That time won't come soon. Mayweather is fighting Shane Mosley on May 1, and the earliest the two could get together would be in the fall and only if Mayweather backs off his demands for blood testing.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
