Quijano: Some scenarios for this Sunday’s fight
Monday, March 8, 2010
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THIS Thursday at 6 p.m., the Sportswriters Association of Cebu Inc. or more popularly known as SAC will be holding its annual awards night at the Casino Español.
Congratulations are in order for our awardees in the disciplines of boxing and mixed-martial arts: WBC light flyweight king Rodel Mayol, WBO interim light flyweight champ Johnreil Casimero, Z Gorres, WBO minimumweight champ Donnie Nietes, Milan Melindo, Deftac-Cebu, Sabah Fadai and Renault Lao.
"The Manny Pacquiao Blog". Click here for stories and updates on the Filipino boxing champ.
SCENARIOS. Sunday is just too far away and so I’m tossing and turning at night thinking about how the Manny Pacquiao vs. Joshua Clottey match will play itself out.
Let me share with you some plausible scenarios that has been besetting my over-excited, hyper-active imagination.
NUMBER ONE. Banking on the fact that Clottey is a notoriously slow starter and gets stronger only as the fight wears on, Coach Roach (the only roach welcome in my house) maps out a strategy that will leave Clottey unable to rev up his diesel engine.
Manny is so excited to start the hostilities, that right after Arnel Pineda’s haunting tenor trails off at the end of the Pambansang Awit, Manny attempts to clock him with a left hook already.
Were it not for Buboy Fernandez’s generous frame that somehow traveled in lightning speed to intercept the blow, bedlam would have ensued.
Kidding aside, Manny comes out fast landing jabs and left straights to the face in the opening round. He also moves lithely from side to side, befuddling Clottey with unorthodox punching angles.
Clottey proceeds to employ his trusty peek-a-boo defense and initially finds some success.
However, Coach Roach has a plan B--and Manny promptly shifts the attack to the Ghanaian’s chiseled body.
This spells the beginning of the end for Clottey who doubles over in pain at around the eighth round, after absorbing brutal punishment to his ribs and midsection.
Pacman by TKO in the eighth.
NUMBER TWO. Pacquiao comes out strong but his blows are stifled by Clottey’s tight defense. Manny starts working the angles, but it seems like the Clottey camp did their homework well.
As Manny moves, Clottey times his counters well and in the second, Manny gets tagged by a flush right hook on the chin as he moves to his left.
He goes down momentarily but is up as the count reaches seven. He is noticeably wobbly but is undeterred. He finishes the round on his feet with both fighters in a furious exchange along the ropes, leaving the crowd wild and wanting for more.
Clottey’s confidence grows and he begins to stalk Manny. The next few rounds are difficult to score as both fighters have their moments.
However, Clottey begins to tire out in the tenth round and the Pacman pounces on this opportunity. He proceeds to pummel the rugged Ghanian from pillar to post in the championship rounds.
Manny Pacquiao by unanimous decision.
NUMBER THREE. Clottey comes out the aggressor, apparently in an attempt to throw a monkey wrench into Roach’s plans. Not surprisingly, he appears to be the stronger fighter during the exchanges.
Manny makes some adjustments in the middle rounds and gains more success by moving in and out. He peppers Clottey’s face with stinging left straights.
It is Clottey’s turn to make adjustments and he decides to punch with Manny instead of waiting for his own openings. It nets him some success as Manny gets tagged on numerous occasions.
Most of the rounds are tough to score and could have gone either way on the cards.
However, an inadvertent headbutt in the 10th round rips open a huge gash on Manny’s forehead. He backs off in the last three rounds and opts to box.
Two out of three judges favor Clottey’s aggression and award him a split decision victory.
LAST ROUND. It’s on Marit Stinus-Remonde. Happy Birthday and Cheers!
