Clottey’s tactic: unleash body
punches to soften up Pacquiao

ARLINGTON, Texas – Ghana’s Joshua Clottey will target Filipino Manny Pacquiao’s body for punishment when the two clash in Dallas this weekend.

Seven-time world champion Pacquiao’s World Boxing Organization (WBO) world welterweight title is on the line and Clottey intends to soften up his opponent.

“I will go to his body a lot. I will follow him, I will hit him to the body,” Clottey told reporters yesterday.

Clottey said he would block anything thrown his way while making his own punches count.
"It doesn't matter if he throws 1,000 punches, if I'm blocking them. I don't waste punches," he said. "He throws a lot of punches, but he's the smaller guy. I throw fewer, but they are going to connect, and that's going to do damage.”

Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach said Clottey had never had to face the "accumulation of punches" that will be thrown by the Filipino, known for his speed and swarming style.

Roach also said his fighter was ready for whatever strategy Clottey and his corner planned to deploy.

“We’re ready for more than one game plan and we will adapt ... He (Clottey) blocks punches in a way that can be broken,” he said.

Pacquiao acknowledged Clottey's height and reach advantage and said it could work for his opponent "if he knows how to use it."

"I don't want to underestimate Joshua Clottey," he said.

The fight will be the first to be held at Cowboys Stadium, with 45,000 spectators expected to attend./PN