By Sean McDaniel: Freddie Roach is predicting a knockout win for his fighter World Boxing Organization welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao against Joshua Clottey (35-3, 20 KO’s) for their March 13th fight at the Dallas Cowboy Stadium. In an article at GMA News, Roach says “A knockout in the 9th is likely.” Pacquiao has the right opponent for him to get a knockout. Clottey, 32, is someone that likes to hang on the ropes, and doesn’t throw a lot of punches. In other words, Clottey is like a heavy bag with gloves. Pacquiao should be able to beat this guy unless Clottey suddenly develops stamina, a work rate and ability to not lay on the ropes.

Sadly, I don’t see it happening. This is going to be like watching a massacre, because Clottey hasn’t shown himself capable of beating a top tier fighter like Pacquiao as of yet. For Clottey to have a chance of beating Pacquiao, he’s going to have to fight the complete opposite of what he’s been showing in his 35 prior fights. However, I don’t expect Clottey to be anything what he’s been in the past – a fighter who doesn’t move his head, has no right hand, mostly covers up, throws few punches and fades badly late in his fights.

Clottey is tough in that he sticks around for the full 12 rounds in his fights and lands an occasional nice shot during the first half of his bouts. He can land with some power with his left hand and make for a rough fight during the first six rounds, but after that Clottey becomes much less effective as he tires out.
Pacquiao seems not to care whether he knocks Clottey out or not, saying “It doesn’t matter to me. I do 30 rounds everyday in the gym, and the fight is only 12 rounds, so going over 12 rounds is not a problem for me.”

That’s a refreshing perspective by Pacquiao. At least he’s not putting pressure on himself to have to try and stop Clottey, because a knockout might not come in this fight. Clottey can take a heck of a shot, and doesn’t leave himself open all that much because of his high guard that he uses. Clottey mostly puts his energy on defending, and isn’t the type that takes chances like Ricky Hatton, who Pacquiao destroyed in two rounds last year in May. Hatton tried throwing hooks and was taken out by Pacquiao.

Bob Arum of Top Rank, who just happens to be promoting both Pacquiao and Clottey in this fight, has this to say: “It’s going to take all that. Manny has to beat Clottey, no less knock him out. I would be much more surprised if Manny knocks him out. I look for this to be a distance fight. I don’t know how you knock Clottey out.” Arum says that he would seek an immediate rematch between Pacquiao and Clottey should Clottey be able to pull off a huge upset and beat Pacquiao.