By Mark Vester
Trainer Freddie Roach is convinced, Manny Pacquiao will become the first fighter to stop Joshua Clottey. Pacquiao defends the WBO welterweight title against Clottey on March 13 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Roach has studied dozens of tapes on Clottey and thinks he knows his boxing abilities like a book. He doesn't think the former champion will last to the tenth.
"I hear Vegas has the over/under for rounds at 10. I'll take the under. We've watched a lot of tapes on Clottey. He's predictable. Manny will be the first to stop him," Roach told the LA Times.
Pacquiao has studied tapes with Roach. He thinks Clottey may attempt to switch up his style for the fight but it doesn't appear to be a major concern coming into the fight.
"Clottey, he's a good defensive fighter," Pacquiao said. "He's bigger than me [by 2 ½ inches, with a three-inch reach advantage], so I've had to study his style and maybe he's trying to learn some new techniques. But from what I've studied so far, I think he's a good formula for me. I'm still sure he's studying different techniques he can try against me."
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