Clottey a pure disappointment

CEBU, Philippines - The Manny Pacquiao-Joshua Clottey bout attended by a mammoth crowd of close to 51,000 that packed the Cowboys Stadium in Dallas, Texas to the rafters drew negative reviews from disgruntled fans, not by its outcome but by the manner the Ghanaian challenger fought against the Filipino seven-division world champion.

Pacquiao, brilliant as ever, scored a decisive unanimous decision victory over Clottey to retain his WBO welterweight title, but Clottey was a pure disappointment as he deprived fight fans of an exciting show because of his being too cautious and his clamshell defense all throughout the 12-round skirmish.

"He fought like a sparring partner (of Pacquiao). Asa ka mangita og boxer nga magsige og cover. Hinoon dili pud ta ka blame niya (Clottey) kay basin sa iyang huna-huna naa na gud siyay one million dollars unya nganong magpa-igo pa man siya?" said Cebu City Vice Mayor Michael L. Rama.

The well-loved boxing patron Antonio "Bidoy" L. Aldeguer called the one-sided match 'boring', while City Councilor Sylvan "Jack" Jakosalem said Clottey put up a cowardly stand and looked like a "punching bag."

"Manny tried so hard to make a fight but Clottey just wanted to finish the fight on his feet. He fought not to win simply to last the distance. The fight was a little boring and dragging," said Aldeguer.

While he takes pride on Pacquiao's monumental triumph, Jakosalem couldn't hide away his dismay on Clottey's antics.

"We never expected Clottey to fight so cowardly defending his head too much and not attacking at all. But then again I don't think we can blame him knowing that if he didn't do that he'd be KOd. But it's a big victory for Pacquiao because Clottey was the heaviest and biggest opponent he ever faced and clearly won this," said Jakosalem.

"He was like a punching bag. And he almost fought like a punching bag. Anyway, the 51,000 people went there to watch Pacquiao and not Clottey," added Jakosalem.

Unlike his previous ring battles, Pacquiao's fight yesterday was less exciting, but no one else is to blame but Clottey.

"Manny fought a good fight. It was Clottey's fault that made the fight boring because he was too defensive minded," said ALA Promotions Michael P. Aldeguer.

"Less kaayo ang excitement dili man gud manukmag ang iyang kontra," said Lyza Roa, marketing and communications assistant of Parklane Hotel, one of the many establishments that beamed "The Event" live via satellite.

"Lupig gyud. Way padaog si Clottey pero way ayo ang away kay sige rag depensa si Clottey," remarked Ernesto Patinite, a taxi driver.  – THE FREEMAN