Former undisputed welterweight champion Zab Judah thinks Manny Pacquiao will beat Joshua Clottey, while former titlist Miguel Cotto rates Pacquiao-Clottey as an even-money match-up that could go either way. “Pacquao should get him,” said Judah, who lost to Clottey by unanimous decision on August 8, 2008 for the vacant International Boxing Federation welterweight. The fight was stopped by the referee because of Judah’s cut caused by an accidental head butt.Judah, a speedy southpaw like Pacquiao, said he thought he was winning that fight, but added the referees saw it differently.
Cotto, who has fought both Pacquiao and Clottey, predicts it “will be tough for both fighters” in their March 13 face-off at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Cotto said it would be an interesting match-up between the speed and punching power of the Filipino champion versus the Ghanian’s strength and size.
“Clottey is physically stronger and bigger but Pacquiao hits harder,” Cotto told Filipino journalist Nick Giongco.
Cotto should know whereof he speaks because he has fought both. He was stopped by Pacquiao in the 12th round of their World
Boxing Organization welter title fight on November 14 in Las Vegas. Five months earlier, he edged Clottey via split decision to successfully defend his title on June 13 at the New York Madison Square Garden.
The camps of both fighters are predicting knockouts which are not altogether empty promises, given the aggressive styles and high KO percentages of both.
Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38 by knockouts) has won his last four fights by stoppage against opponents who were all bigger than him.
Clottey (35-3, 20 by KOs), has never been stopped in his 14 years as a professional fighter.
The 32-year-old Clottey, said he will “shock the world” by stopping the world’s best boxer pound-for-pound by knocking him out.
Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach said his prized Filipino student would find a way to stop the rugged Clottey, who not only has a tough chin but also has good defense.
Both fighters arrived in Dallas Monday night (Tuesday in Manila) for a 1 p.m. press conference the following day at the $1.2-billion Cowboys home arena to announce their coming title showdown.
Source: manilatimes.net
No comments:
Post a Comment