Pacquiao-Clottey is a Competitive Match

I just read an excellent article by Ryan Dunn on this site regarding the upcoming Pacquiao-Clottey match. It is a good read and Dunn has presented his analysis well. I would like to add my two cents for this match.

While I think that Manny Pacquiao is the favorite in this match, I do not think it will be an easy fight for him. Clottey , while not spectactular, is a rough customer: strong, tough, and skilled. Strong in the sense that he hits hard and his body seems to be chiseled from stone, tough in the sense that he has shown himself to be almost unhurtable to the chin, and skilled in that he covers well and punches with good technique with each hand. His loss to Cotto was by a very narrow margin.

Clottey’s weakness is that he can be out-hustled. He sometimes falls into his defensive shell for too long. In the past, he has lain too long on the ropes and collected punches on his arms. Against Pacquiao, Clottey needs to keep his punch output at a high level throughout the fight. It is a given that Pacquiao will blaze away with his combinations as long as the fight goes, so Clottey MUST stay in the fight by not freezing and fire back often. If he does this, then this higher offensive activity coupled with his strength and undentable chin can keep him in the fight, maybe even enough to win a decision or catch Manny with a shot on the button.

Pacquiao should work for a clear decision instead of a KO because I think Clottey is almost impossible to knockout. He should do this by not taking chances, moving in and out, and flurrying then retreating. In this way, he can avoid taking a big countershot from the durable Clottey. In other words, he should fight much the same way he fought against De La Hoya.

If Clottey wins, it will be a big upset and move him into bigger money fights. After all, he would have beaten the conquerer of Cotto, DLH, Hatton, Diaz, Morales and Barrera.

If Pacquiao wins by decision, it will be just another jewel in his crown, a crown that is already sparkling with enough gems to put him atop most experts P4P list. If Pacquiao KO’s Clottey, then it will be a very notable win and a testament to the terrific power and unusual punching angles of the Filipino Fighting Machine.

I can’t wait.

My prediction: Pacquiao by UD. JGA.

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Source: boxingnews24.com