Photos: Pacquiao vs Clottey Final Presser in Texas

Arlington, Texas --- Surrounded by the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders, seven-time world champion and "Fighter of the Decade" Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao (L) and challenger Joshua Clottey (R) pose during the final press conference Wednesday for their upcoming World Welterweight championship on Saturday,March 13 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington,Texas on HBO Pay-Per-View. --- Photo Credit : Chris Farina - Top Rank

For more Pacquiao vs Clottey updates, visit http://pacquiao-vs-clottey.cebuspace.com/.

Source: boxingscene.com

Photos: Manny Pacquiao Media Day in Dallas, Texas

Dallas,Texas --- "JAM-PACKED" --- A standing-room-only crowd of media and fans showed up to see seven-time world champion and "Fighter of the Decade" Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao shadow box during training for his upcoming World Welterweight championship against challenger Joshua Clottey on Saturday,March 13 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington,Texas on HBO Pay-Per-View. --- Photo Credit : Chris Farina - Top Rank

For more Pacquiao vs Clottey updates, visit http://pacquiao-vs-clottey.cebuspace.com/.

Source: boxingscene.com

CLOTTEY READY FOR BATTLE AT COWBOYS STADIUM

Joshua Clottey, Ghana hits the double-end bag during media day Thursday at Kingsway Gym in New York. Clottey is getting ready for the fight of his life against seven-time world champion and "Fighter of the Decade" Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao on Saturday, March 13 at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas,Texas on HBO Pay-Per-View.






For more Pacquiao vs Clottey updates, visit http://pacquiao-vs-clottey.cebuspace.com/.

Source: philboxing.com

Photos: Manny Pacquiao's Final Week of Training Camp

Hollywood,Calif. --- Seven-time world champion and "Fighter of the Decade" Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao,General Santos,Philippines works out during media day at the Wildcard Boxing Club Wednesday as he winds down his training camp for his upcoming World Welterweight championship against challenger Joshua Clottey of Ghana. Top Rank's "The Event", will be held on Saturday,March 13 at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas,Texas and televised live on HBO Pay-Per-View. --- Photo Credit : Chris Cozzone/Top Rank








For more Pacquiao vs Clottey updates, visit http://pacquiao-vs-clottey.cebuspace.com/.

Source: boxingscene.com

Photos: Joshua Clottey Florida Training Camp Gallery

"RIPPED AND READY" --- 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. Here are some Clottey camp photos from Fort Lauderdale,Florida. --- Photo Credits: Chris Farina/Top Rank









For more Pacquiao vs Clottey updates, visit http://pacquiao-vs-clottey.cebuspace.com/.

Source: boxingscene.com

Arum: Over 30,000 tickets already sold for Pacquiao-Clottey

With little more than a month to go for the March 13th clash between World Boxing Organization welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao and challenger Joshua Clottey, Top Rank promoter Bob Arum is saying “we’ve sold well over 30,000” tickets to the fight, according to Boxing Talk. That’s a phenomenal number for a bout that figures to be mismatch. Clottey, 32, isn’t well known by casual boxing fans, and he’s not exactly been a world beater during his career, losing to Antonio Margarito, Carlos Baldomir and recently to Miguel Cotto.

The tickets appear to be getting purchased on droves by boxing fans who want to see Pacquiao only, even if he’s not fighting an interesting opponent like Floyd Mayweather or Shane Mosley. There are some estimates that the Pacquiao-Clottey fight could end up selling as many as 65,000 tickets by the time the fight takes place. That would be an incredible number for the fight, which will be taking place at the Dallas Cowboy stadium, in Arlington, Texas.

Historically, fights that have taken place in stadiums and sold in big numbers of have been competitive ones with two famous fighters going at it. In this case, Pacquiao pretty much is taking part in a stay busy fight against a good but far from great fighter in Clottey. While Clottey is ranked number #1 by the WBO, he might be perhaps the 10th or 11th best fighter in the division, if that.

However, if boxing fans are willing to purchase tickets just to see Pacquiao fight, there’s no point in him having to take risks by facing dangerous fighters like Mayweather and Mosley, both of whom would have a good chance of beating him.

Arum promotes Pacquiao and stands behind his fighter in regards to the random blood tests that sunk Manny’s fights against Mayweather. Arum says “We [Pacquiao] have no absolute problem with random testing, as long as it’s urinalysis, and as long as it’s done by a legitimate boxing commission.”

The problem here is that Mayweather wants random blood tests for a fight between him and Pacquiao to take place, not just urine tests. Mayweather feels that the blood tests are the best method for checking for performance enhancing drugs. However, Mayweather needs help with the Nevada Athletic Commission, who only mandates that urine be checked for drugs, if he wants to try and push for random blood testing to be taken before a fight against Pacquiao in the future.

Although Pacquiao and Arum are agreeable to a certain amount of blood testing to be taken before a fight against Mayweather, both want a cutoff point well before the fight. In the case of his failed fight with Mayweather, Pacquiao wanted the blood tests to stop 24 days before the fight. Mayweather didn’t agree with this number, and countered with 14 days before the fight.

As for the blood testing, Arum says “Blood testing is very dangerous.” He fears that a nurse could “miss the veins” when drawing blood,” causing the fighter’s arm to be sore for several days after the blood draw. Arum also thinks that the urine testing is “even more effective than blood testing.”

Unfortunately, Mayweather doesn’t agree with Arum on this point. It comes down to whether Arum and Pacquiao will give in on these issues. If not, then Arum is going to have to look for someone else other than Mayweather after Pacquiao finishes up with the Clottey fight.

Mayweather is fighting Shane Mosley on May 1st, and if Mayweather wins that fight, Mosley won’t be a good option for Pacquiao for obvious reasons. But then again, Pacquiao is fighting Clottey, who was just beaten in his last fight, so you can’t really rule out Pacquiao fighting Mosley even if Shane loses to Mayweather.

For more Pacquiao vs Clottey updates, visit http://pacquiao-vs-clottey.cebuspace.com/.

Source: boxingnews24.com

Top Rank Photographer Chris Farina covers Pacquiao and Clottey in camp, can’t wait for March 13th

Joshua Clottey (L) and Manny Pacquiao training (Photo: Chris Farina)

Manny Pacquiao’s WBO Welterweight title bout against Joshua Clottey is a little over a month away and so far there have been varying reports on how each man’s training camp is coming along. Pacquiao is reportedly looking sharp and putting some serious hurt on his sparring partners while other rumors have it that too much of Clottey’s time has been spent focusing on drama outside of the ring for him to be fully focused for a fight of this magnitude.

One man who was able to witness both fighters in camp this past week was Top Rank photographer Chris Farina. Based out of Las Vegas, traveling is a huge part of Farina’s job and his images over the years have served as proof as to the intimate and up close nature of his job. Farina first stopped by the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles this past Monday and was able to witness Pacquiao in rare form.

“Manny looked pretty good,” Farina says reflecting on the Filipino icon. “We’re still a little bit away from the fight but he looks like he is right on his program. He’s right on point and he hasn’t lost a step at all.”

When asked how Pacquiao’s demeanor was heading into yet another pivotal bout, Farina insists that the seven-division champion is relaxed but also tuned in. It also seems that Pacquiao and trainer Freddie Roach are exactly on the same page in their preparation for the challenge that Clottey presents.

“Once in a while he gets s a little bit crazy and it’s obvious he’s care free,” Farina claims of Pacquiao. “But it seemed to me that he’s very focused and ready to go. He comes right in and goes right to training. He’s all work. Freddie and Manny have their game plan and they are getting it ready to go.”

Over the years Pacquiao’s time inside the Wild Card has been well documented and on many occasions the facility has had to turn people away during Manny’s training. Farina says that the gym regulars have simply adapted to Pacquiao and the impact he has created over time.

“The gym was very busy,” Farina states. “A lot of people work out at that gym and Manny just always comes in and does his thing. People kind of let him do his thing. They work around him and if they have to leave the gym they will leave.”

Later in the week Farina could be found roughly 2800 miles away, tucked inside of John’s Boxing Gym in the Bronx capturing images of Clottey as he prepared for the March 13th contest. Despite reports that Clottey’s head may not be where it ought to be, Farina believes the former champion is on course.

“He was intense but later on he was all smiles too,” Farina says of the Accra, Ghana fighter. “He kind of broke it up with me and he looked like he was very confident. He was in good shape too. He was hitting the mitts and training hard as ever. Both guys looked ready to me.”

Farina has stated in the past that he often remains so focused on his work that he doesn’t allow himself to get caught up in moment during all of the events he attends. While that may be the sign of a true professional, he still admits that being around both men in their respective camps has heightened his expectations for their bout.

“Of course. I’m chomping at the bit and I can’t wait for March 13th. It’s not just another fight; it’s going to be a show. It’s going to be something spectacular and I can’t wait to be in Dallas when it happens.”

For more Pacquiao vs Clottey updates, visit http://pacquiao-vs-clottey.cebuspace.com/.

Source: examiner.com

Pacquiao braves the cold to train for Clottey bout

MANILA, Philippines – Despite being dubbed the world's pound-for-pound king, three-time Fighter of the Year Manny Pacquiao said he still toils to improve his skills to become an even better fighter.

Pacquiao, a 7-division champion and acknowledged Fighter of the Decade by the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA), said his training camp in the United States is now entering its final 5 weeks before his scheduled bout with Ghanaian boxer Joshua Clottey.

He said that despite the rain and the cold, he still wakes up early to train and prepare for the match.

“Kahit na ako ang tinitingalang kampeon ng mundo, hindi iyan sapat na dahilan upang ako ay hindi tumakbo sa umaga at mabasa ng ulan,” Pacquiao wrote in his February 7 “Kumbinasyon” column on PhilBoxing.com.

He added: “Sa buhay ng isang boksingero, walang day-off, walang dahilan upang pigilan ang paghahanda sa laban kahit gaano kasungit ang panahon."

The Pacquiao-Clottey clash will be held on March 13 at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Pacquiao’s World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight belt will be at stake.

Sacrifices

The Filipino boxing sensation went on to talk about the other sacrifices he has been making.

He said that because of the training, he was unable to be with his eldest child, Emmanuel Jr. or Jimuel, on his 9th birthday. He said he just called up his son to wish him a happy birthday and explain why he could not go home.

Pacquiao said time has passed so quickly since he was a struggling boxer trying to establish a name.

“Parang kailan lang, baby pa lang ang aking anak, ngayon ay malaki na at malapit nang magbinata. Parang kailan lang, nagsisimula pa lang ako na gumawa ng pangalan sa ibabaw ng ring at hinarap ko ang lahat ng mga kalabang ipinalaban sa akin ng aking manager at promoter," he said.

“I have sacrificed a lot of blood, sweat, aches and tears before I became Fighter of the Decade. I thank the Lord God for giving these blessings. I will not stop to fight and fight harder so that I can give more joy and excitement in the ring to all of my fans. They are the reasons why I try to become better and better each fight.”

Worthy recipient

He also mentioned that his awards, such as the Fighter of the Year and Fighter of the Decade honors, push him to "fight more and improve more, so I can give more entertainment to all of the boxing fans throughout the world.”

Pacquiao wrote in an earlier “Kumbinasyon” column that he wants to prove that he is worthy of the recent recognitions given by the BWAA.

“Kailangan ko ring patunayan na ako talaga ang karapat-dapat na makakuha ng award na ito sa pamamagitan ng pagpapalabas ng isang panibagong obra-maestra sa ibabaw ng ring. At kailangan kong lumabas na kahanga-hanga.”

He said that proving himself on March 13 will not be as simple because he will be facing a tough opponent: “Marami ang nagsasabing magiging madali lang para sa akin ang laban na ito pero para sa akin, lubhang mapanganib ang sagupaang ito dahil na rin sa taglay na lakas, laki at bilis ni Clottey.”

He added, “Dahil sa mas maliit tayo sa laban, mas magiging mahirap na manalo kontra sana sa mga kalabang kasinlaki natin, gaya ng mga laban sa 135 pounds.”

For more Pacquiao vs Clottey updates, visit http://pacquiao-vs-clottey.cebuspace.com/.

Source: abs-cbnnews.com

ANOTHER DAY IN THE OFFICE FOR PACQUIAO AT WILDCARD GYM

Representing PhilBoxing, I was lucky enough to be the only one allowed to take still photos as Manny Pacquiao trained today at the Wildcard Gym.

The day was no different from those days when Pacquiao trained for his previous fights at the famed gym.

Today however, Pacquiao was a wee bit late in starting. He did not get to the gym until after 3:00PM.

The team members gave me the reason why he was running late.

Early this morning, he ran uphill at the Griffith Park so he took a long nap when he got back home. Then he had some visitors at his Hancock Park home to entertain. Thus, he asked that the training be delayed just a little bit.

When he came to the gym however, it was all business. Pacquiao immediately proceeded to the dressing room and in 5 minutes was ready to begin the old grind.

First thing we noticed was he was wearing his brand new Nike fighting shoes. Today was the first day he don them for training.

With a full TV crew filming the whole thing, Pacquiao started warming up by doing stretching exercises and shadow boxing. Then Alex Ariza came and help him out with the usual pylometric exercises.

After a while Freddie Roach came up the ring and they did the punch mitts for 10 round, many times ignoring the timer that ended each round.

During the whole thing they were practicing some to the game plan Roach formulated. (Sorry can’t write about them here).

When the punch mitt session was done, Pacquiao went to the double speed bags for several rounds followed by the single speed bag mounted on a special place and labeled with his logo.

The training session ended with the skip ropes and finally a prayer of thanksgiving for the good training day.

From my point of view Pacquiao has not lost his zip. His training seem to be just an extension of the one he had for the Cotto fight. His speed never diminished, and in fact it appear to be far better than the last time I saw him. And punches were booming. Perhaps has Michael Koncz stated, there was not much time between his last fight and this training period. So he still more than 75% in shape.

Pacquiao doing the mitts with Roach.

Pacquiao on the double-end bag.

Pacquiao skipping ropes.

Pacquiao stretching.

For more Pacquiao vs Clottey updates, visit http://pacquiao-vs-clottey.cebuspace.com/.

Source: philboxing.com

Photos: Manny Pacquiao Training For Joshua Clottey

Hollywood, Calif. --- Seven-time world champion and "Fighter of the Decade" Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao (R),General Santos,Philippines works with strength and conditioning coach Alex Ariza (L) at the Wildcard Boxing Club as he prepares for his upcoming World Welterweight championship against Joshua Clottey, Ghana. Top Rank's "The Event", will be held on Saturday,March 13 at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas,Texas and televised live on HBO Pay-Per-View. --- Photos Credit : Chris Farina - Top Rank

For more Pacquiao vs Clottey updates, visit http://pacquiao-vs-clottey.cebuspace.com/.

Source: boxingscene.com