SIGNORELLA PREVIEWS PACQUIAO-CLOTTEY!
March 11th, 2010 By John Signorella
New York, NY- Big time boxing returns this Saturday night when globally recognized number one “pound for pound” king and current welterweight (147) champion Manny “Pac Man” Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38 KOs) faces tough and rugged former welterweight belt holder Joshua “Grand Master” Clottey (35-3, 20 KOs) over 12 rounds or less at Dallas Cowboy Stadium in Arlington, TX, live, Saturday night at 9 PM ET on HBO PPV.
A DECADE OF DESTRUCTION & PRONE BODIES
Since his “coming out party” massacre of Marco Antonio Barrera (W TKO 11), Boxing Writer’s Association of America’s “Fighter of the Decade” Manny Pacquiao is the first pugilist in history to win a staggering seven world titles in seven different weight divisions. Considering the level of opposition he has faced by thrice scrapping with Erik Morales (L UD 12, W TKO 10, W KO 3), twice going to war against Juan Manuel Marquez (D 12, W SD12), and in pounding out one sided drummings over world elite combatants Oscar De La Hoya (W TKO 8), Ricky Hatton (W KO 2), and Miguel Cotto (W TKO 12), Manny’s ring endeavors have proven to be credible accolades in support of his status as an all time great living legend.
COULD HAVE. SHOULD HAVE. WOULD HAVE. EVER WILL BE?
By going perfect in his first 20 bouts (turning the lights out of 14), prospect Joshua Clottey was quickly on the rise to prominence. In a closely contested affair in his 21st fight, Clottey earned his first lost via 11 round disqualification for repeated intentional headbutting toward opponent Carlos Baldomir. After the set back, Clottey regrouped by winning his next ten straight bouts (five whacks). During his resurgence, Clottey was promoted to a title shot against feared brawler Antonio Margarito. In another close encounter, Joshua fell short on points to Margarito (L UD 12). Joshua would again rejuvenate himself and go on to pulverize a faded Diego Corrales (W UD 10) and pick up the vacant IBF strap against a “seen better days” version of Zab Judah (W TD 9). The victory over Judah launched Clottey to the upper stratosphere of the division landing him a unification showdown against Miguel Cotto. In a classic battle, Clottey gave Cotto all he could handle for 12 rounds, however once again Joshua dropped yet another close controversial decision (L UD 12) at the big show.
A CLOSER LOOK AT PAC MAN
Many of “Pac’s” victims have been systematically broken down by “master” trainer Freddie Roach’s pre fight observations. Roach’s fight plans consist of strategies and tactics which are usually executed with relative ease by Pacquiao resulting in emphatic victory for the Filipino Phenom. During such conquests, Manny has shown his own brilliant ring intellect by displaying an ability to control a foe by making an opponent fight his type of fight. On the contrary, (as seen in the early rounds in his bout against Cotto), Manny, on occasion, can get caught in the heat of the moment, become distracted, deviate from his predetermined fight plot, (and to his credit) make the adjustments necessary to beat his opponent at their own game. Pacquiao’s unique style is a hybrid of aggressively fast paced boxing accompanied with sound defense. In consideration of his overall attributes of speed, power, movement, and genius boxing IQ, Manny Pacquiao may not only be the game’s most complete fighter, he may be the most dangerous.
A CLOSER LOOK AT THE GRAND MASTER
Clottey is a capable fighter who fights out of an orthodox style processing a solid “high guard” type of defense. Although mindful in his defense, Joshua has a tendency to stand in front of his opponent for long periods of time making it easy for his adversary to find him and put some hurt on. Overall Joshua’s boxing game is a strong combination of a speed, skill, and strength. In previous successful efforts, Clottey’s biggest asset was his seemingly large sized frame for a welterweight. Joshua will enjoy a significant size advantage over Manny, and by being the biggest man Pacquiao has ever faced, Clottey will look to capitalize on this benefit to stand a chance at achieving his determined bid at greatness and world renowned supremacy.
UNDERCARD
WBC super featherweight (130) champion Humberto Soto (50-7-2, 32 KOs) takes on former world champion David Diaz (35-2-1, 17 KOs) scheduled for 12 championship rounds.
Mexican legend and former champion Jose Luis Castillo (60-9-1, 52 KOs) squares off against Alfonso Gomez (21-4-2, 10 KOs) in a 10 round welterweight (147) affair.
John Duddy (28-1, 18 KOs) vs. Michael Medina (23-1-2, 18 KOs) starts the night off in the middleweight (160) divison in a proposed 10 rounder.
John Signorella
Both fighters have a come forward style of fighting and its going to be very competetive in the early rounds as both are expected to exchange heavy blows.but as the fight progresses pacman’s intensity will be to much for clottey to handle and if clottey do not ran and decided to trade punches i think pacman will win by ko.this is the type of fight where nobody can beat the pacman at this point of his carreer.
Good analysis of both guys. Depending on Clottey fighting the full 12 rounds, he is a very “LIVE” underdog. Although I expect Pacquiao to win I’m going to put a hundred “beans” on Clottey (good value).
John Duddy is in soft, even though Medina’s record looks impressive, it is against soft competition at Jr. middleweight.
May the best man win!! Good luck to Pacquiao and CLottey
i’m probably in the minority on here but I’m actually interested in Soto vs Diaz. i think thier styles will match up for a good fight. Not that I’m making a plea to the overall undercard content being ppv worthy (it’s not IMO). But come on, the rest I’m just not that too impressed with considering I’m paying cashola for this! I’m sorry, but Castillo Gomez should be on fnf. Hopefully Mosley/Mayweather bring better undercards than this one!
BANG!! Try & stop it. BANG! U wanna throw back? BANG! BANG!! BANG!!! Come on. BANG! BANG!! BANG!!! BANG!!! What a despicable display of hbo cheerleading!! But it was funny as f— too!!!