By Mark Vester
Freddie Roach, trainer for WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao, is predicting a dominating boxing performance that ends with a knockout of Joshua Clottey on March 13. Top Rank CEO Bob Arum spoke with the The Philippine Star and said Clottey will be a harder opponent for Pacquiao than Miguel Cotto, who won a close decision over Clottey last year. Arum has no idea how any fighter can knock Clottey out.
“I don’t know how you’ll knock Clottey out,” said Arum. “I would be much more surprised if Manny knocks him out. This fight is going to be harder than the Cotto fight. Why? Because Clottey is more durable than Cotto."
Arum broke down the fight. There doesn't appear to be a rematch clause. If Clottey gets the upset win, Arum will ask him to take part in a rematch but the former champion from Ghana has nothing that binds him to agree.
“Clottey is bigger and stronger but Manny is a much better boxer, a much better athlete. And if Manny loses, I would be sorry for Manny. But that’s boxing and a lot of things can happen. Clottey is a very good and a very dangerous welterweight,” said Arum.
“If Clottey is successful then I would go immediately to Clottey who is under promotion to us and ask him to do a rematch. He’s not obligated but I would ask him for a rematch.”
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