Joshua Clottey proved his defense is up to par. Only that his punches were not.
Over twelve rounds, Manny Pacquiao schooled Clottey how speed and piston like punches are more than enough to negate the Ghanian’s decidedly advantage in bulk and hulk – with plenty to spare.
It was a total but entertaining shutout for the Filipino boxing sensation who kept his World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight crown with a unanimous decision victory.
Although a convincing win, it was ‘uninspiring’ victory for many Filipino boxing fans who have grown accustomed to watching Manny deck and put out his opponents.
Clottey had his moments but Pacquiao simply was too dominating to leave any doubt about the outcome.
The Ghanian challenger claimed Pacquiao’s punches didn’t hurt but admitted Manny’s speed was too much for him to handle.
Manny gave something for the crowd to cheer when he landed a wicked right hook to the Ghanian’s face late in Round 2 which almost dropped Clottey.
He again staggered the bigger Clottey in the eleventh round but the Ghanian refused to go down.
Where Manny repeatedly failed to land his haymakers squarely, he more than made up for the sheer volume of punches he unloaded throughout the fight.
Pacquiao threw an incredible 1,231 punches throughout the twelve rounds landing 20% of them (246) while Clottey was stingy with his offense, throwing only 399 although connecting at a higher percentage (27%).
Clottey was not able to establish his rhythm throughout the fight, held at bay by Manny’s relentless two-fisted attacks. At times Clottey was able to connect, Manny simply shrugged them off or else the Filipino was no longer in range or in sight.
Manny’s lopsided win over Clottey further established his dominance in the welterweight class. He took a full welterweight in Clottey who also at times fought as a middleweight.
Two streaks were kept alive in Sunday’s “The Event” offering at the US$1.2 billion Dallas Cowboys Stadium.
Manny kept his winning ways alive while Clottey also kept his streak of not losing by stoppage.
Another one might be on its way to becoming a record in the future.
The announced attendance was placed at 51,000, well over the expected 45,000 capacity that the stadium was configured for the Pacquiao-Clottey fight.
Not since 1993, when Julio Cesar Chavez fought Greg Haugen in Mexico has a boxing match attracted so much live gate attendance. A reported 136,274 spectators filled Estadio Azteca to watch a then unbeaten Ch?vez defend WBC Light Welterweight title against Haugen.
Sunday’s fight was also reportedly the third biggest boxing match watched by a live audience in the United States and the biggest since Muhammad Ali beat Leon Spinks to regain his heavyweight title (63,350) and when Chavez beat Pernell Whitaker at the Alamodome, also in Texas with 59,995 people watching.
