By Mark Vester

Trainer Freddie Roach told ESPN's Brian Kenny that Manny Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38 KOs) has agreed to defend his WBO welterweight title against former champion Joshua Clottey (35-3, 20 KOs) on March 13. Clottey will replace Floyd Mayweather Jr. if a deal is finalized. Top Rank had tried to offer a fight with WBA 154-pound champion Yuri Foreman but Pacquiao rejected him as an opponent citing concerns over the size difference. Pacquiao has accepted Clottey as an opponent. The fight will likely head to a Las Vegas venue and land on HBO pay-per-view.

In an earlier report on BoxingScene.com, Clottey advised Ryan Burton that a deal had not been reached and he never received a contract. Clottey is on vacation in his native Ghana but is heading back on an immediate basis to the United States to continue negotiations for the fight.

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