Pacquiao vs Clottey
By Roy Luarca
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 00:30:00 03/11/2010
GRAPEVINE, TEXAS—The hype and hysteria surrounding Manny Pacquiao continues as The Event heats up.
Obliging more than 400 fans and the press that have gathered at the Gaylord Texan Hotel Tuesday, Pacquiao put on a dazzling display of footwork, hand speed, rhythmic movement and astounding stamina to underscore his status as overwhelming favorite against Ghana’s Joshua Clottey in their World Boxing Organization welterweight title fight this Saturday (Sunday in Manila).
Egged on by intermittent applause and shouts of “Manny! Manny!” from his fans at the cavernous Exhibition Hall, the Fighter of the Decade put on a hit-and-run show, sliding and gliding while throwing a series of punches.
Pacquiao said his speed will be the key to victory, adding that he and Roach are confident that Clottey won’t be able to react when he gets tagged by body shots, followed by blows to the head and back to the stomach.
“He’ll wait for you to throw a combination and then, when you’ve stopped, he’ll throw back,” said four-time Trainer of the Year Roach. “So if you stand in front of him, you’re an idiot. We’re not going to do that. He’s not going to be able to find us.”
After warming up, Pacquiao, assisted by conditioning expert Alex Ariza, did the mitts with Roach.
Ariza noted that Pacquiao stopped using plyometrics exercises two weeks ago, but remained super-fit to carry out his mission of becoming the first boxer to knock Clottey out.
Pacquiao proceeded to jump ropes before completing his workout with more exercises.
With the crowd refusing to leave the venue, Pacquiao decided to approach them and sign autographs.
Meanwhile, Arnel Pineda, lead vocalist of rock band Journey, has been chosen to sing the national anthem. Pineda will be arriving here Thursday.
San Antonio referee Rafael Ramos has been chosen to officiate The Event. He has more than 300 fights, including 50 world title bouts, tucked under his belt. Ramos was also the third man on the ring when Juan Manuel Marquez beat Juan Diaz for a version of the lightweight championship last year.
Two Filipino prospects, bantamweight Eden Sonsona and featherweight Michael Farenas, and former Pacquiao victim, David Diaz are also seeing action in the undercard.
Diaz, who was knocked out by Pacquiao in the ninth round when they clashed in 2008, will try to regain the WBC lightweight title against reigning titlist Humberto Soto of Mexico in the main supporting bout.
Sonsona will be battling Colombia’s Maurcio Pastrana in the opener while Farenas will be tangling with local find Joe Morales in the second round.
Other TV matches will be the 10-round collision between Mexicans Alfonso Gomez and Jose Luis Castillo for the WBC Continental Americas welterweight title.
Also on tap is the middleweight battle between Michael Medina and John Duddy.
Source: sports.inquirer.net
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