In this welterweight foursome, Clottey is the forgotten man.
He isn’t much more than “the opponent” in the estimation of most and many
writers are now looking ahead to Pacquiao facing the winner of Mosley –
Mayweather. I don’t think that the fans realize the incredible threat that
the former IBF Welterweight Champ poses to the Pacman.
How Clottey Beats Pacquiao
Clottey will have to start earlier than usual to avoid losing
a close decision, which seems like the most likely scenario going into this
fight. In 2007, he took on Diego Corrales, another fighter that was moving
up and gave him a systematic beating, winning a wide decision. Pacquiao is
a better welterweight then Corrales was, but the standard has been set.
This is Clottey’s division. He has been there the majority of his career
and will be motivated not to lose to a smaller man. This is the same
position that Bernard Hopkins was in when he faced off against smaller man,
Felix Trinidad, in 2001. He stopped Trinidad. This is what Clottey hopes
to do and it will be what he will do to win this fight.
Clottey has a good punch but he will have to be more
aggressive as the rounds go by in order to get the upset TKO win. He must
stay behind the defense and start backing Manny up. He has to make Pacquiao
realize that he is the smaller man and not just stand there and wait for
something to happen. Miguel Cotto controlled Pacquiao in the first round of
their fight, but could not adjust when Manny made his adjustments. Clottey
must control the fight with his jab from the get-go and keep coming forward,
using the consistency which has brought him so much success, leading to a
late round TKO.
How Pacquiao Beats Clottey
Despite the lack of marquee value, Clottey is a much tougher
opponent for Manny then Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, or Miguel Cotto.
This is, arguably, the biggest test in the career of Manny. To come out
victorious, he has to use his straight punches, which seem to be the punch
that gives Clottey trouble. I don’t think that the hooks of Manny will work
that well. He needs to use movement and the punches right down the middle.
I don’t think that he will be able to stop Clottey, but he could outwork
him, taking a decision.
Prediction
Manny is so confident right now that it is hard to see him
losing to anyone and with Freddie Roach in his corner, you have to assume
that he is coming with a strong game plan to come out with a victory, most
likely by decision. Pacquiao will take an early lead, have some scares down
the stretch, but come out with a win in the 115-113 range with claims from
the Clottey camp that they were robbed and many siding with them.
On May 1st, Floyd “Money” Mayweather finally faces off with
long time rival “Sugar” Shane Mosley. It was the best option for both men,
as Floyd’s mega bout with Pacquiao fell apart, and Andre Berto backed out of
his showdown with Shane. They were left without opponents and found each
other, making for a very exciting fight, on paper at least.
How Mosley Beats Mayweather
At 38 years old, the lightweight turned light middleweight
champion, Mosley, is beyond his better days, but you wouldn’t know it from
his destruction of Antonio Margarito in his last fight. You may know it
from his performance against the strong yet limited Ricardo Mayorga, where
he scored a final round stoppage in a fight that was even at the point of
the stoppage.
The victory over Margarito may be misleading. What was
Margarito without the loaded gloves? Maybe that was the key to his success
in boxing and Mosley exposed a mediocrity. I’m not sold that Mosley has a
lot left. He is still very strong and has an iron chin, but his reflexes
are not as good as they once were and he might be a few steps too slow to
beat Mayweather. BUT there is a ray of hope. Mosley, for what he lacks in
youth, he makes up for in ring smarts and ambition. He will have to press
the fight and work hard in order to stop Floyd, which should be the goal. He
cannot make this a chess game with Floyd. An aggressive Mosley that is
trying to win by KO is the one that he needs to be come fight night.
How Mayweather Beats Mosley
Floyd is a defensive expert and has great timing. He is
undefeated, left the sport to pursue some other things, returned and looked
like he didn’t miss a beat, battering Juan Manuel Marquez and taking a
decision. He doesn’t have many weaknesses. To beat Mosley, he only has to
fight as he normally does. He adapts to any style. He may have to throw
harder punches to keep Shane in his place, but if it’s not broke, don’t fix
it. Mayweather should box, be cautious, and build up points. He won’t stop
Shane, but he could and should win a decision clearly when the dust settles.
Prediction
It’s a no brainer, really. Floyd is too sharp at this point
to lose. Barring any big punch surprising him, I think we can bank on a
Floyd UD by scores of 117-111 or 118-110.
Welterweight
Wars: Manny Pacquiao – Joshua Clottey & Floyd Mayweather,
JR – Shane Mosley