Clottey forecast, 'Manny will crush Floyd'

Source: By Abac Cordero (The Philippine Star)

HOLLYWOOD – Joshua Clottey thinks that Manny Pacquiao has the tools to beat Floyd Mayweather Jr.

“To be frank with you, the fight will be very, very tough for Mayweather,” said Clottey, who lost a unanimous decision to Pacquiao last Saturday at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

By this time, the 33-year-old Clottey must be home in Ghana, probably looking for a bank where he would keep his earnings from the Pacquiao fight. He was guaranteed $1.2 million for the fight.

It was the biggest paycheck ever in the ring, and even if he retires today, he and his family, including his 10-year-old daughter, can live a good life in Ghana or if he’d like to remain in his tiny New York apartment.

Clottey took all the punches Pacquiao threw at him but never went down. Because he covered up so well that Lance Pugmire of the Los Angeles Times wrote that he fought like a turtle on the ring.

He believes that Pacquiao has the skills, speed, the power to beat Mayweather.

“Pacquiao is very fast and he keeps on throwing punches. Mayweather doesn’t throw too much. So, Manny will give him problems. Lots of problems,” said Clottey.

The former welterweight champion of the world said he has no regrets on losing to Pacquiao, and the way he fought the fight, spending more time covering up that he almost forgot to throw his punches.

“I think I did my best. But Manny Pacquiao has defeated almost everybody and he knocked them out,” said Clottey, seemingly content that he was up on his feet when the final bell sounded before 51,000 fans.

“Unfortunately, I lost. I did what I can. I did my best. Maybe next time I can improve,” said Clottey.

But there will be no next time. Not against Pacquiao, said the Filipino’s trainer, Freddie Roach.

“He was satisfied with going the distance with Manny Pacquiao. And he did. But HBO will never use him again. They told me. If you fight for a world title, you don’t go on a survival mode. You try to win the title cause you know one it’s a once in a lifetime.”

“He’ll never get another title shot in his life,” Roach said after the fight.

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