Defence the key for Clottey

Joshua Clottey believes he has the tools to end the winning streak of Manny Pacquiao in Dallas on March 13.

The tough Ghanaian lost a controversial decision to Miguel Angel Cotto in his last fight in June, with Pacquiao handing out a 12-round beating to the same opponent later in the year.

Clottey is something of an afterthought for Pacquiao after the much-hyped match with Floyd Mayweather fell through, but the 32-year-old says he is ready to cause a shock.

"I wasn't really thinking about this fight at all," he told boxingtalk.com. "But I know I can fight anybody and I know I can beat any boxer.

"It looked like somebody didn't want to fight. All the guys were talking about Pacquiao v Mayweather and it looks like he didn't want to do it, and it's good for me.

"I feel like it was a blessing from God."
Defence

While Clottey, whose record stands at 35-3 with 20 kos, will have a natural size advantage over Pacquiao, he insists it is not his superior strength that will be the key, but his defence.

"When he beats guys, like in the Cotto fight, he beats guys that don't have a good defence. I have a defence," he said. "I will never say anything bad about the guy because he is the best now.

"When I walk in the ring with Manny Pacquiao and I lost, I will tell everybody I lost the fight. But I keep telling people I didn't lose the Cotto fight because I don't feel that I did. When I walk into the ring, I do what I want to do to win the fight, to do my best."

He also said that while naturally lighter boxers like Pacquiao can throw a higher volume of punches, his more accurate blows will eventually tell.

"You know, I'm not a flyweight. I am not a bantamweight. I am a welterweight and welterweights only throw punches that connect.

"I can throw shots which connect and land and cause damage. Not throw a lot of punches that he is deflecting and blocking. If you look at the last fight, I won the last round.

Damage

"He threw punches and I blocked them and I threw punches and they connected. I will throw punches that cause damage."

While Clottey respects Pacquiao's star quality he knows that beating him would be a life-changing experience.

"He is the man now and he's giving me a chance to fight him and if I beat him, I'm going to be on top of the world," he added. "It will be very important to the people in my country and that is very important in life.

"When I walk into the ring I will know what I need to do to win the fight."

Source: skysports.com

Clottey: I throw punches that cause big damage

Joshua Clottey doesn’t enjoy watching tapes of his opponents on the ring. Not even Manny Pacquiao.

However, that doesn’t mean that the 33-year-old fighter from Ghana is climbing the ring on March 13 not knowing what he’s up against.

“I have never watched his tapes. I never sit down and watch him and I never sit down and talk about him,” said Clottey during a media teleconference the other day to drum up his coming showdown with Pacquiao in Arlington, Texas.

The fight is set at the $1.2 billion Cowboys Stadium, and no less than 40,000 fans are expected to brave the cold weather and see the fight. Promoter Bob Arum said there’s only around 8,000 tickets left and by fight time should be sold out.

“The only thing I think about is me and what I have to do when I come into the ring. I have been training very hard for myself to get to the ring and do my best. When I get to the ring, the fight will start and that’s what I’ll do,” he said.

Clottey is facing the biggest fight of his life and he considers this one as a rare opportunity to be with the greatest fighter in the planet. He is getting paid $1.2 million for this fight, and it’s more than what he’s earned over the last couple of years.

He said it doesn’t matter if he hadn’t seen any of Pacquiao’s fights.

“That is right. I never watch tapes of people. I don’t like watching tapes but I know how he fights. When I get to the ring I know how he is going to be,” he said of the gun-slinging fighter from the Philippines.

Pacquiao is staking his WBO welterweight crown against Clottey, and doesn’t see any reason why he’s going home empty-handed, just two months before he runs for a congressional seat in his hometown in Sarangani.

Clottey, however, said Pacquiao could be terribly wrong because he just knows what to do.

“I think you are right,” he told the media conference.

“You know, I’m not a flyweight. I am not a bantamweight. I am a welterweight and welterweights only throw punches that connect. I can throw shots which connect and land and cause damage,” he said.

“Not throw a lot of punches that he is deflecting and blocking. If you look at the last fight, I won the last round. He threw punches and I blocked them and I threw punches and they connected. I will throw punches that cause damage.”

Source: philstar.com

Clottey tough to beat — Roach

Freddie Roach will be very surprised if Manny Pacquiao takes out Joshua Clottey in a quick and explosive manner on March 13 in Dallas.

While Roach has no doubt that Pacquiao is going to beat Clottey, the celebrated cornerman believes the Ghanaian banger can’t just be beaten easily and swiftly.

“No, I don‘t think it‘s going to be short,” said Roach recently from the Wild Card Boxing Club where Pacquiao has been showing fiery form the past five weeks when asked whether the Filipino fighter can get the job done early.

Reiterating that Clottey is not only big and strong but has a good defense as well, Roach said Pacquiao’s awesome speed and sheer talent would take its toll in the late rounds “where I expect Clottey to quit.”

In Pacquiao’s last four fights, Roach accurately predicted the rounds when victory would come.

Pacquiao needed nine rounds to flatten David Diaz, also similarly went the same number against Oscar De La Hoya and was right on the button when he bragged that Ricky Hatton would fall in less than three. Hatton lasted just two rounds.

Against Miguel Cotto, Roach was again correct in saying the Puerto Rican will push Pacquiao to the limit. Pacquiao stopped Cotto in the 12th round.

Meanwhile, over at Clottey’s training camp in Florida, it’s been reported that his preparation has also gone full blast and that the 5-1 underdog has been pushing himself to the limit. Top boxing website fightnews said Clottey is “ripped and ready.”

Source: mb.com.ph

CLOTTEY RIPPED AND READY IN FLORIDA

Fort Lauderdale, Florida -- Challenger and #1 contender Joshua Clottey, Ghana is in top condition, ripped and ready to challenge Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, General Santos City, Philippines on Saturday,May 13 at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas, Texas on HBO Pay-Per-View. Photo Credit: Chris Farina - Top Rank.


Fort Lauderdale, Florida -- Challenger and #1 contender Joshua Clottey, Ghana shadow boxes and ready to challenge Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, General Santos City, Philippines on Saturday,May 13 at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas, Texas on HBO Pay-Per-View. Photo Credit: Chris Farina - Top Rank.


Challenger and #1 contender Joshua Clottey, Ghana stretches in his training camp as he prepares to challenge Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, General Santos City, Philippines on Saturday,May 13 at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas, Texas on HBO Pay-Per-View. Photo Credit: Chris Farina - Top Rank.

Source: PhilBoxing.com

Clottey's Problems

I keep finding it strange that if you had proposed a Pacquiao-Clottey fight two years ago people would have thought you were a lunatic. They would have thought that Clottey would crush and batter the smaller Pacquiao. Part of me thinks that we're all in for a big surprise.

But then I think about Pacquaio's recent performances, and I think about Clottey and that doubt goes away. We know what Pacquiao can do, but the news out of Clottey's camp reaffirms my feelings about him; he's a guy who isn't meant to win. For some reason things just don't seem to work out for Joshua Clottey.

In this fight we've all heard that Clottey is without his preferred trainer, who remains in Ghana dealing with visa issues. Today on Boxingscene it is reported that he is working with Pacquiao's former cutman Lenny De Jesus.

I don't know enough about De Jesus to judge his fitness to train Clottey, but I do know that there needs to be a level of trust between a trainer and a fighter. I can't imagine that is easy to create just weeks prior to the biggest fight of your career.

Equally concerning is an article in the Las Vegas Boxing Examiner. We learn that Clottey's chief sparring partner is Damian Frias. Frias reports that things are going well in camp, but notably say, "From what I can see I am his only real sparring partner. Other guys might come once a week. "

I saw Frias fight on Showbox last year where he lost a clear decision to Freddy Hernandez. He's a decent fighter, but it does seem a little concerning that Frias, Boxrec's 250th ranked welterweight, is Clottey's only major sparring mate. Manny Pacquiao, working at the Wildcard Gym, has an inexhaustible supply of good fighters to work with.

Does this mean Clottey can't win? Absolutely not. It does make one wonder if Clottey will be at his absolute best, if he will have given himself every advantage possible, as Pacquiao has. We know Pacquiao won't wilt in the last few rounds, he trains for it and lives for it. Will Clottey be ready? Will he be willing to do everything it takes? For a guy like Clottey - whose career has been a series of moments where he came up just short - it sounds like it could be part of a familiar pattern.

Source: sportingnews.com

Joshua Clottey's solemn vow: I'll destroy Pacquiao for Ghana

As if preparing for the aggressive onslaught of Manny Pacquiao is not enough of a mental and physical burden, challenger Joshua Clottey has been battling bureaucrats in his native country who have made it difficult for him to get proper travel papers for his chief trainer.

But New Jersey barrister Patrick English informed Examiner.com and Boxingconfidential Tuesday that the the snafu is being cleared up in Accra, the capital city of Ghana and that lead trainer Godwin Dzanie Kotey has an appointment soon with the United States Embassy in that West African metrpolis to smooth his travel path so that he can join Clottey at training camp in Hollywood, Florida, and accompany the team to Dallas for the March 13 PPV main event at the sparkling, new Cowboys stadium.

"Joshua's lead trainer is coming," English said, "but not on a very timely basis. I do know that he's got permission from the government of Ghana and that he will go to the Anmerican embassy to obtain his proper visa to come here."

English is the lawyer for Clottey manager Vinny Scolpino.

It is not exactly breaking news but, on his recent trip back home when Clottey grew frustrated with local bureaucrats and their maze of red tape, Clottey was given a mental boost by his homeland's most famous athlete, the great Hall Of Fame member and conssumate businessman and gentleman Azumah "Zoom Zoom" Nelson.

that his homeland, Ghana, will rejoice come March 13 as he destroys Pinoy Idol Pacman (Top Rank/Chris Farina Photo)

Here's the recent report from GhanaWeb.Com:


"But like the true warrior that he is, Joshua Clottey, 35-3 (20K0s), remains unruffled and has vowed to give off his best, even with the odds heavily stuck against him. No matter the problems surrounding his preparations, expect Clottey to be ready when he steps into the ring against Pacquiao for the WBO Welterweight title.

“The only thing I can tell you is everything is fine with me and I’m ready to fight if the government can’t help because it’s my life on the line,” Joshua stated.

“My fear is that Manny Pacquiao is a southpaw because they are hard to fight but Joshua has given us an assurance that he knows how to fight southpaws so I am relieved. I will advise Joshua to train hard but I know him and I know that he will not rest. We will be there to support him physically and mentally,” stated Hall of Famer Azumah Nelson at the press conference organized by the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) in Accra this morning to show support for Joshua Clottey.

Azumah, now Technical Director of GBA, was surrounded by the bigwigs of Ghanaian boxing as well as top government officials on the high table at the press conference as the nation formally threw support behind the boxer. Clottey who like many of the country’s top boxers have endlessly criticized the GBA for a lack of support, confessed that he goes into the fight against Pacquiao feeling like he is fighting for Ghana for the very first time.

“I am encouraged by what I am seeing and hearing today and for the first time I am thinking about the nation which will make things harder for Manny Pacquiao. The nation didn’t support us much in the past but if now they are ready to get behind us, that is the best motivation I can get. And I promise to win the title for Ghana,” Clottey told the press conference at the Ohene Djan Stadium in Accra."

Source: Examiner.com

Are the odds stacked against Joshua Clottey?

With most odds makers, Joshua Clottey was a pretty big underdog coming into his March 13th showdown with Manny Pacquiao.

Since then the odds have dipped further in Pacquiao's favor, and not just with the bookmakers.

The first problem Clottey encountered was that his head trainer was not allowed a Visa to enter the United States. He even appealed to the Ghanaian embassy and government for the Visa to be pushed through but as yet to no avail.

Apparently Clottey was having trouble getting focused at the start of his training without his trainer, although as reported by my quick witted pal Mr. Marley in New York, hes now tearing through training partners like he should be with a month to go.

Jacob Brandt, Pittsburgh PA: "Why was Clottey's trainer turned down for a Visa, hasn't he gotten them before? Also shouldn't the people at Top Rank check this stuff out before booking the fight?"

Even for someone used to applying for them, Visas are often complicated and there are a lot of questions aimed to catch people out. I personally have spent many a long hour slaving away over various forms from the government regarding these issues, and they aren't much fun I can tell you.

That aside, the responsibility is on Clottey and his team rather than Top Rank with this one. From the looks of things the problem was unexpected by all parties. Top Rank does have immigration experts on retainer though, (they have one working on Edwin Valero's case) so they might be helping out behind the scenes anyway.

Secondly the referee for the bout was changed from Laurence Cole to Rafael Ramos. Ramos has never officiated with either fighter before, but has a well respected record. Some might remember he was the third man for Juan Manuel Marquez vs. Juan Diaz.

Cole on the other hand is known for his odd decisions and bad calls more than anything else. He also usually gets most of the big fights held in Texas, and his father is the head of the boxing commission. I'm sure some might venture a connection there.

He also once apparently told Juan Manuel Marquez that he was ahead on the scorecards when fighting Jimrex Jaca when he was having a deep cut inspected. Effectively telling him he could have the fight stopped and still win. Warrior that he is of course, Marquez fought on regardless.

Charlie Whitton, Pittsburgh PA: "Cole is a joke, he almost cost Pacquiao the Barrera fight and he's been stinking up the circuit in Texas ever since. I guarantee the fight will be ruined if that's the guy in charge"

So why the diatribe about the refereeing? On the face of things a bad referee has been replaced with a very good one, and in the interests of fairness this is true. Keeping Cole as a referee would have favored Clottey though because he would have been able to get away with more in the ring. That isn't to say Clottey is a dirty fighter as such, but rather on with a bad habit.

As a quick glance at Clottey's record will show you, he has a tendency to come in with his head and cause a lot of cuts, and a cut stoppage is hardly fitting of the pound for pound champion. Neither is a referee who might miss it, get the call wrong or otherwise tip the balance in favor of one fighter with his decision making. Don't get the wrong idea here people, I'm not saying this wasn't the right move, just that it would have been an advantage for Clottey had the referee stayed the same.

M.B, Philly PA: "One day after the WBO announced who their referee would be-a State Representative(who will not make himself available for questions regarding this matter) has contacted the Texas Athletic Association and had the referee replaced. Everything that promoter Bob Arum has done to this point has been geared toward providing Pacquaio EVERY possible advantage before they even step into the ring!"

It might look that way on the surface, but as much as anything else, whoever made the change probably wanted to make sure the fight wasn't ruined by bad decision making. The Pacquiao vs. Barrera fight is a well known example of Cole's questionable decision making, and the powers that be certainly don't want a repeat of that.

Source: Examiner.com

Month to go, Ghana Lion Joshua Clottey mauling sparmates

He's been saying nothing but nice things about Manny Pacquiao so far but, make no mistake.

Joshua Clottey is not the Pinoy Idol's kissing cousin and he did not send any Valentine's Day hearts, flowers or Godiva chocolates over to the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood.

The Bronx resident and native of Ghana is one month away (March 13) from the big bout in the Cowboys Stadium in Dallas and manager Vinny Scolpino told me Saturday that, despite rumors and reports, Team Clottey is right on schedule.

"Joshua and the team have been in Hollywood-Ft. Lauderdale for two weeks now and the camp is going very good," Scolpino said from his New Jersey home.

"Joshua's head trainer has his visa almost approved so he'll get there soon, in the meantime we've got (veteran trainer) Lenny DeJesus and the rest of the team. He's on target, he's beating the crap out of people in sparring and I would say he is definitely on his 'A game.'"

Clottey has gone on record, describing the Pacman date as his "miracle fight" and saying he will score one of the biggest upsets ever.

Perhaps Clottey learned a valuable lesson when he took his foot off the accelator in the so called "Championship Rounds" against Miguel I'm No Angel Cotto last June at Madison Square Garden.

It was a winnable fight but, after getting lethargic and backing up, fighting protectively rather than aggressively in the late rounds, Clottey came out on the short end of a split decision.

Source: www.examiner.com

Will Pacquiao’s dominant sparring sessions transfer over to the Clottey fight?

If his sparring sessions are any indications, Manny Pacquiao looks scary and dominant. A warning to all potential sparring partners, Pacquiao will hurt you and this should also be a serious concern for Clottey and any future opponent of Pacquiao. Not only is he in great shape, but he is also completely focused. But, will his dominance in the sparring sessions transfer over to the Clottey fight?


Bryan Brooks
Pacquiao’s first sparring partner, Bryan Brooks, took such a beating in 4 rounds of sparring that Freddie Roach said he won’t be bringing him back.

“[Pacquiao] did really well. He’s already following the game plan. This was a good sparring partner for Shane Mosley but I don’t think I’m going to bring him back… he got hurt a few times. Manny was too much for him. He did whatever he wanted too. He was playing with him a little bit. He likes to play with his audience a little bit.” Source: ABS CBN News

Joseph Benavidez
Joseph is a 2009 National Golden Gloves light-welterweight champion who just turned pro. He’s 17 and stands at 5’11”. He went two rounds with Pacquiao, According to reports, Manny just toyed with him the whole time.

“He toyed with the guy. He was supposed to be a phenom,”.. Winchell Campos, Philstar.com

Mike Dallas
Dallas is an undefeated light-welterweight with a record of 11-0-1. He’s 23 yrs old and came out of his sparring session with Pacquiao beaten and almost knocked out twice.

“Dallas was groggy in the second round as Manny was really going after him. While he (Dallas) was a lot slower than Pacquiao, he was coming forward and getting hit and nearly knocked him out” .. ABS-CBN’s Dyan Castillejo

Others
Pacquiao has also beaten up on long-time sparring partner Ray Beltran. Coming in shortly, will be Abdullai Amidu, the welterweight from Ghana who is undefeated in 18 fights with 17 wins coming by way of knockouts.


Shannon Brown Sacramento, CA “Do you think that Pacquiao’s sparring dominance reflects of what he will do to Clottey?” Shannon, yes I do. What this tells me is that Pacquiao is in tremendous shape. He’s mentally and physically focused on beating Clottey. Make no mistake about it, Pacquiao isn’t looking to outpoint Clottey, he’s looking to knock him out.

Nicholas Barnes Rancho Cordova, CA “Should Clottey be scared of how good Pacquiao looks in training?” Clottey should have been concerned in the first place for having to face the best boxer. But, now he should be absolutely terrified because Manny is so dialed in and physically dominant right now. He’s taking good sparring partners and destroying them. He’s toying with them. He’s “firing on all cylinders” which should scare any man especially his opponents. I have absolutely no doubt about it, Pacquiao will dominate Clottey come March 13th.


Let’s close the article with the following quote from Alex Ariza, Pacquiao’s fitness guru:

“He looked phenomenal today. He looked the best that I’ve probably seen him. His footwork, speed, power was unreal.”… source: Boxingscene.com

Source: www.examiner.com

Clottey not focused on Pacquiao fight?

DALLAS - Am I confused or is Joshua Clottey having serious problems with everything from possibly losing his trainer to a recent desperation overseas flight home and just today (Saturday) settling into a real training camp just 36 days out from his fight with Manny Pacquiao?

Trainer Godwin Dzainie Kotey isn't being granted a visa from the American Embassy in Accra, Ghana. Vinny Scolpino, Clottey's New York - based manager says a statement will be forthcoming during the week, but as far as training he says everything was just fine and on track.

I don't believe him.

Co-promoter Jerry Jones and company can't afford for Clottey to put forth a half-ass or otherwise distracted effort and have ticket buyers heading for the exits early before making a few runs to the concession stands and soaking up the $1.15 billion Cowboys Stadium experience.

Ultimately, Jones needs the fans to have a great time and want to come back.

Actually all of boxing, including Floyd Mayweather, Jr. and Golden Boy Promotions, needs Joshua Clottey to if not win outright, to put on a respectable effort.

I wrote when Clottey was just being considered as the opponent that he was the most dangerous guy out there. I guess that makes me what Michael Marley would call an Everlast Einstein.

http://www.examiner.com/x-11372-Dallas-Boxing-Examiner~y2010m1d8-Any-opponent-for-Manny-except-Zab-Judah-please

I need to start hearing Clottey is using up and running off sparring partners and no media is allowed in the gym because they have a top secret weapon and strategy for Pacquiao and a special punch just for him.

I believed it last month but I don't know if I do today.

I remember last summer Clottey pretty much coasted in the final two rounds against Miguel Cotto when most thought the fight was close and winnable for the Ghanaian.

Now I'm not at all saying Clottey would put up anything but a very polished professional effort, but if Pacquiao senses a weakness he would quickly exploit it.

I'm saying Team Clottey better get its act together because this is Manny Pacquiao and it's the big time.

If Bob Arum or any other big shots have a friend in an American Embassy or Port Authority, now would be the time to call in the favor and pull the trigger and make that call or Clottey is going into training today in Fort Lauderdale, FL at less than full speed and a lack of momentum.

Source: examiner.com

Size doesn’t make Clottey unbreakable

Being big, strong and durable do not make Joshua Clottey unbreakable.

This is the belief of trainer Freddie Roach, who tries to steer Manny Pacquiao to another victory on March 13 at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Acknowledging that Clottey could pose problems with his physique, strength and his chin that is said to be made of anvil, Roach said the Ghanaian banger “makes too many fundamental mistakes,” lapses that Pacquiao is sure to take advantage of come fight night.

Speaking to fightnews.com, Roach is confident Pacquiao will become the “first” fighter to knock the African out in their 12-round welterweight match before an expected sellout crowd.

Clottey has fought 38 times and despite losing three times on points, the 32-year-old has never been stopped although he suffered a flash knockdown in the first round against Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto in June last year.

Pacquiao is in the thick of training at the Wild Card in Hollywood, California, and had logged his 32nd round of sparring Saturday afternoon, racking up four rounds each with Ray Beltran and Mike Dallas Jr.

“There’s not even a small problem as far as Manny’s preparation is concerned,” said the fighter’s Canadian adviser Mike Koncz Sunday after handing the two sparmates their weekly pay.

This early, Team Pacquiao is finalizing the travel arrangements for the trip to Texas.

“Manny said he would like to travel to Dallas after he spars for the last time on the Monday before the fight,” said Koncz.

“I told him that it would be much better if we travel on Sunday, which is his day-off, but he told me it’ll be Monday.”

Pacquiao will likely be billeted at the Gaylord Texan Hotel – the official hotel of the Dallas Cowboys – in the city of Grapevine.

Source: www.mb.com.ph

Clottey - I'm Fighting For The Title Not Money

Former IBF Welterweight champion Joshua Clottey has described his decision to fight Manny Pacquiao as purely for the title and national pride and not monetary gains as being speculated.

He said his ultimate aim was to wrestle the tittle from the Filipino even though he was aware of the kind of boxer he was stepping into the ring to challenge, adding that fighting a boxer like Pacquiao was not only about strength and power but he would rely on his unique abilities to defeat him.

“Manny Pacquiao is not a superman, he is just a human being like me and I promise to dethrone him,” Clottey assured Ghanaians when he addressed a press conference at the Ohene Djan Stadium in Accra.

Clottey, who is ranked fifth in the welterweight division, explained that Pacquiao, who is ranked first in that division, did not agree to fight him because he was a weaker opponent, but rather how easy it was when it came to dealing with financial issues.

The former IBF champion, who was flanked by Azumah Nelson, Atta Eddie Pappoe, Felix Quartey and high-ranking members of the GBA, disclosed that he had never felt stronger support from Ghanaians ever as with his impending fight and that had spurred him on to prove a tough customer for Pacquiao and to raise the flag of Ghana high.

Joshua, who broke down in tears moments after delivering his message apparently frustrated by the US Embassy’s refusal to grant his trainer an American visa, told the media he was not happy about the way things were moving and appealed for the government’s assistance to enable his coach to secure a visa to accompany him to the US.

The Chairman of the National Sports Council (NSC), Worlanyo Agra, who could not bear with the sorrowful mood of the boxer quickly made some telephone calls and assured the boxer all arrangements would be made to ensure his coach joins him.

He noted that Clottey’s contribution to boxing could not be under estimated since he had inspired many youth across the country even in the face of many challenges.

Mr Agra assured Clottey that the government and the people of Ghana were behind him both in prayers and in spirit as he prepare to challenge Manny Pacquiao at the Arlington Cowboys Stadium in Texas on March 13.

Source: www.modernghana.com