Pacquiao vs. Clottey Round-by-Round Analysis (Pacquiao Take 12-Round Decision)

Los Angeles Times ^ | March 13, 2010

[nickcarraway]

Times boxing writer Lance Pugmire breaks down the WBO welterweight title fight.

This wasn't the usual ring walk for Manny Pacquiao. With so much ground to cover inside this $1.2-billion, 100,000-person capacity palace known as Cowboys Stadium, Pacquiao came to Texas with a chance to take out his frustrations over the road not taken, the result of a bitter negotiation with fellow superstar Floyd Mayweather Jr. that squandered a $25-million guarantee. The target was Ghana's Joshua Clottey, a true welterweight with a chance to stun the boxing world. Clottey emerged from a locker room where African drums and instruments had been played. As a crowd of 50,994 roared for the Filipino, Pacquiao walked out to "Eye of the Tiger."

ROUND 1: Pacquiao, in red trunks contrasting with Clottey's satin red, ducks a left and goes right to the body. He bobs in his southpaw stance and unleashes a left that Clottey blocks. Clottey covering. He jabs, tries a right that misses. Pacquiao goes to body. Pacquiao jabs, sneaks in a right. Pacquiao more active.

Pugmire's take: Pacquiao's dedication to jabbing, to trigger an opening, is clearly on display, and he's banging the body, too.

The judges: Levi Martinez, 10-9 Pacquiao; Duane Ford, 10-9 Pacquiao; Nelson Vazquez, 10-9 Pacquiao.

ROUND 2: Pacquiao lands hard left to head, and big right to body. Insiders said that was his plan, to pound Clottey's gut. He aims for head, then dips to sides of Clottey. Clottey gets in a right to body and left to face. Clottey mockingly buckles his knees. Clottey left to face.

Pugmire's take: Lot of motion by Pacquiao, and little activity by Clottey. This is what was expected, but how could Clottey not want to try something new in the fight of his life?

[wendy1946]

Basic reality, they’re not doing Manny Pacquaio any favors having him fight welterweight. Sooner or later he’s going to get into the ring with something like Ray Leonard or Tommy Hearns and most likley get badly hurt.