Pacquiao - Clottey: All Roads Lead to Mayweather

(20Jan2010 article, Never got this published. Thought to post it here nevertheless. History is a demanding mistress.)

There is not a trace of Floyd Mayweather Jr. in Pacquiao’s mind or in his bloodstream as the Pacquiao-Clottey March 13 fight is announced at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium on Tuesday.

Pacquiao stated at the famous Stadium: "It’s going to be a good fight. Clottey, he is a good fighter, a top fighter, and he is bigger than me. I have to prepare hard for this fight and train hard and focus."

And Clottey is indeed a tough opponent for anyone at 147lbs. But it is just so hard to imagine him pulling an upset against the P4Pound King who had recently trashed Cotto. Yes, the same Cotto who won over Clottey – even with so narrow a margin.

Unless we see a different Clottey come fight night, which is very likely judging from what’s at stake and what’s his for the taking – fame and fortune.

Or if we see a different Pacquiao, which is highly unlikely. Pacquiao always brings his A game and is just on a higher level at the moment. That said, Clottey’s chance’s dim but it is there.

“I want to thank Manny Pacquiao and Freddie Roach for giving me the opportunity,” said Clottey. “This is going to be a great fight. I can’t thank Manny Pacquiao enough. He’s the best guy.”

Indeed, and Clottey’s smile’s up to his ears. There’s no way to go but up. He’ll be the best guy when he beats the best guy.

Which brings the ghost of the “other best guy” back to life.

Roach told ESPN:

 "Life goes on without Mayweather. He wouldn’t agree… It was a smoke screen for him to say no. I want to beat this guy’s ass, believe me, but he won’t give us the opportunity.”

One way or another, all roads lead to Mayweather.

I believe Freddie Roach has every reason to be dismayed and he’ll always be demanding that Pacquiao-Mayweather fight. The reason is quite clear:

Even though Mayweather moves with the precision of a chess master inside the ring, he’s got no chance of prevailing over Pacquiao because “Master” Roach had beaten him already 10 moves in advance.

We’ll get to that chess match story someday soon, hopefully by fall this year. It’s all about Pacquiao-Clottey until then.

And maybe a little bit also about the Dallas girls.