Donaire - Manny to win by decision

MANILA, Philippines - Describing Joshua Clottey as heavy-handed and dangerous, interim WBA superflyweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr. said yesterday it will take some doing to knock out the durable Ghanaian as he predicted Manny Pacquiao to win by a unanimous 12-round decision in their WBO welterweight title fight at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, this Sunday morning (Manila time).

Donaire was set to leave Manila last night to make his way to Arlington where he plans to cheer for Pacquiao at ringside with wife Rachel.

“In terms of speed, skills, power, experience and intelligence, Manny has the advantage,” he said. “Beating Clottey is an easy obstacle. The hard obstacle is to score a knockout but I believe that if there’s anybody who can do it, it’s Manny.”

Donaire said he expects Pacquiao to go for the body early, wear down Clottey and try to finish him off in the late rounds.

“The battleplan is to attack the body,” said Donaire. “That’s what I hear Freddie (Roach) has in mind. You can knock out an opponent with a body shot if you land at the right angle. If Clottey had to cut down to make weight, he’ll feel those body shots for sure. But Clottey’s never been knocked out.”

Size will be Clottey’s edge because Donaire said Pacquiao may find it a little difficult to go around his wide body.

“Clottey’s built like a tank,” said Donaire. “Manny will try to run rings around him and dictate the fight. But with Clottey’s huge body and long arms, it won’t be easy moving around him. Clottey has a turtle-shell defense that Manny will break down with movement. Manny will look for the angles and create the openings for his punches. He can hit him with an overhand right or a left uppercut.”

Because Pacquiao is a southpaw and Clottey is right-handed, Donaire said there’s a danger of head-banging.

“Manny’s the shorter guy so Clottey will have to bend down to butt him,” said Donaire. “The problem is when a lefty fights a righty, their heads might bump as they come close to each other. There’s also the danger of throwing jabs at the same time. If the jabs meet, your arm gets bent, extending your elbow, and if you’re moving forward, you could actually hit your opponent with your elbow. Manny should watch out for that.”

Donaire hesitated to call Clottey a dirty fighter but said the challenger has a tendency to lead with his head when on the attack.

“Manny has learned so much in the ring that he’ll know how to handle Clottey if he resorts to dirty tricks,” said Donaire. “I’m confident Manny has the experience to beat Clottey, no matter what he brings to the table. Manny’s got a lot of heart, he’s a veteran. I think Manny will play with Clottey who doesn’t initiate and just waits to counterpunch.”

Donaire said Clottey has serious chinks in his armor and Pacquiao will capitalize.

“I notice Clottey drops his hands before punching,” said Donaire. “Manny will make him pay for that. Clottey isn’t a volume puncher. He’s not very busy in the ring. I don’t think his punching rhythm is in tune with his body. He’s a strong guy and heavy-handed but he doesn’t put body weight behind his punches. It’s all arm power. If he can learn to punch with his whole body, he’ll be able to gain more power and speed. He has to throw a lot of punches against Manny because if he doesn’t, he’ll get overwhelmed.”

Donaire said there is some doubt on whether Pacquiao can score a knockout although the possibility looms through a body shot.

“No matter what, Manny will win,” said Donaire. “The clearer picture is it will go the distance and Manny will beat Clottey by a unanimous decision.”