Manny Pacquiao vs Joshua Clottey were standing  underneath the world's largest high-definition video display in the  world's largest domed stadium. All eyes were focused squarely on them  and they knew it. So they smiled gleefully...at each other. It was a  refreshing display of humanity between two fighters who were announcing  their upcoming boxing match that's scheduled to take place at the  opulent new Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas on March 13. A date that  was originally reserved for Floyd Mayweather Jr. to face Manny Pacquiao  at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. But most people know how  those obnoxiously inhumane fight negotiations ended up. 
Rather than  agreeing to fight the Filipino icon who's won championships in seven  different weight divisions, Mayweather decided that the  once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to stage the biggest event in the history  of boxing would instead be an excellent time for him to pull down his  pants and take a crap. So he did. He crapped all over Pacquiao, the  sport of boxing, the Nevada State Athletic Commission, the numerous fans  who have faithfully supported his career since he first won the  National Gold Gloves in 1993, and everyone else in between. And he  seemed to enjoy it. And now there is crap everywhere . That's why it's  so refreshing that Joshua Clottey is going to be Pacquiao's next  opponent. The fighter, also known as "The Hitter," is everything that  Mayweather is not; he's dignified, respectful, aggressive, courageous,  and willing to actually square up and fight. He's the perfect selection  to stand in the corner opposite of Pacquiao on March 13 and attempt to  clean up the mess that's been left by Mayweather. Born in the Republic  of Ghana and now fighting out of the Bronx in New York, Clottey is 35-3  with 20 knockouts. All three of his defeats are also somewhat  controversial: In 1999, Clottey was disqualified against Carlos Baldomir  in the 11th round for head-butting after previously being warned by the  referee to stop. At the time he was ahead comfortably on all three of  the judge's scorecards. In 2006, Clottey lost unanimously to Antonio  Margarito. But Margarito was later found with illegal plaster in his  hand wraps before fighting against another opponent, casting a shadow of  doubt on all of his previous victories. And in 2009, Clottey lost via  split-decision in a close, hard-fought battle with Miguel Cotto. Many  people watching the fight live think it should have been scored a draw  or a split-decision victory in favor of Clottey. All in all, it's not  that difficult to recognize how formidable of an opponent Clottey is for  the naturally smaller Pacquiao. He's a legitimate welterweight that's  never fought below 140 and he has never been knocked out. If Pacquiao  plans on extending his record to 51-3-2, it's quite apparent that he has  his work cut out for him. On the bright side though, I don't think he's  going to have to worry about any more crap storms precariously rolling  in over the horizon. Clottey seems ready and willing to put a stop to  that immediately. So from here on out I think we can expect forecasters  to call for mostly sunny days with occasional smile storms opening up  over the skies, something the sport of boxing can certainly use more of  at this point in time. I'm sure Pacquiao vs  Clottey will be more than happy to oblige—they seem to enjoy the  positive energy.*
Source: bleacherreport.com

 
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