Pacquiao dominates Clottey; retains title

MANNY Pacquiao overwhelmed challenger Joshua Clottey to retain his World Boxing Organization welterweight title in front of 51,000 fans inside the Dallas Stadium and millions watching around the world especially the Philippines.

Pacquiao, an eight-time champion in eight different weight categories, earned a unanimous victory against his Ghanaian opponent in their title match at Arlington, Texas.

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Unlike most of Pacquiao’s fights, this one lacked suspense from the opening seconds of the fight, when Clottey assumed the peek-a-boo strategy he would maintain throughout the bout except for brief and occasional spurts.

Clottey seemed content to hold his hands high defending his face and head through much of the early rounds, trying to pick off Pacquiao’s punches with the intention of a late rally. But he gave away round after round, despite landing some clean punches on the rare occasions when he would throw a combination.

“We look at this fight as a way for Paqcuiao to sustain his defense. It could have been better if they found an opponent who would really go head to head against Manny,” said a jubilant Baguio Mayor Reinaldo Bautista Jr.

More than 2,000 viewers flocked to the University of Baguio Gymnasium to witness the event where Mayor Bautista, including some of his staff and other sports leaders which included Cordillera Career Development College athletic director Danny Soria.

“He can be a good assistant coach for our national basketball team because he is a good defender, and in boxing, if you don’t throw some punches, your defense is nothing,” joked Soria after the witnessing the fight.

Pacquiao, 51-3 with two draws and 38 knockouts, looked unstoppable in his previous three fights against opponents who were willing to engage him in the middle of the ring.

Clottey, who fell to 35-4, lasted all 12 rounds with a game plan which included counter-punching and covering up. By the middle rounds it was apparent Pacquiao had a victory sewn up.

Pacquiao, who last lost to Erik Morales in March of 2005, defended his title on the same date he was to face unbeaten American Floyd Mayweather Jr. before negotiations broke off over a drug-testing dispute.

“It is pretty obvious Manny’s opponent is someone [who], personally, did not come to fight but one who wanted the money. I wish they could find some worthy opponent for our champion,” Bautista added.

Malacañang congratulated Pacquiao immediately after the match.

In an interview over a radio station, Deputy Presidential Spokesman Gary Olivar said Pacquiao united Filipinos anew as the country ventures into a new chapter in its history with the May 2010 polls just a few weeks away.

“Manny proved that the strength and determination of Filipinos is a cut above the rest. On behalf of our jubilant nation, we thank you, Manny, for uniting the country as it steps into a new chapter in our history,” Olivar as quoted by a radio network.