Freddie roach discusses the strategy to defeat clottey

[FlightSchool]

"I think we'll get him before it's over. I know it's going to be a grueling, hard fight and similar to Cotto, but I do believe the body shots will break him down," stated world-renowned trainer Freddie Roach as he spoke to the assembled media during Manny Pacquiao's open workout and shared some of the strategy for the March 13th title defense against Joshua Clottey. "The biggest thing Manny can't do in this fight is fall into the pocket. If he falls into the pocket with his opponent, he'll use his head and his best punch is the uppercut and it's something we can't do in this fight...He assured me that will not happen in the fight."

Although many view former welterweight champion Joshua Clottey to be Pacquiao's biggest and toughest challenge to date, Roach is confident that Pacquiao is well-prepared for the task at hand, reminding everyone in attendance that both the master and the pupil have done their homework on their opponent. "His uppercuts are very fine and very short. He doesn't arc them out at all. He comes right up the middle with them and, again, he throws the same combinations over and over," Roach stated as he broke down Clottey's style. "His patterns are pretty easy to read. He doesn't have a big variety of punches."

When asked whether or not he thought Clottey posed a more dangerous threat than Miguel Cotto did, Roach quickly replied, "No!"

[bojangles1987]

Hmm. It is smart that they don't want Pac in the pocket with Clottey, he has such a speed advantage that is Clottey's best chance when it is inside. Especially considering how big Clottey is on fight night, he will want to wear Pac down.