PAC-MAN DOES DALLAS

By Rick Folstad

IB-March 2, 2010 - They’re holding this fight in a stadium, which is where the great old-timers used to fight back in the days when God was No. 1, family was No. 2, and boxing was No. 3.

Cowboys Stadium outside Dallas is probably a good place to stage this fight. They can get 40,000 people inside and still have room for a bowling alley, a rodeo and a car show. You won’t be stepping on any toes trying to get to the concession stand for a cold beer. Don’t wander too far from your assigned seat. You might get lost. The place is huge.

Bob Arum likes it. Of course, Bob Arum likes anything that’s big, rich, gaudy and has his name written on it. And Arum’s name goes everywhere Manny Pacquiao’s name goes.

This time it’s too Arlington, Texas, home of pointed boots, 10 gallon hats and the Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders.

And for one night, the biggest fight of the, um, month?

“Nobody, with any real certainty, can predict the result (of the fight),” Arum said on a conference call promoting the Pacquiao versus Joshua Clottey welterweight funfest set for March 13 in the stadium. “Everybody knows how Manny Pacquiao fights. Everybody knows the angles that he throws punches in. And everybody knows Joshua Clottey is a tremendous defensive fighter and can put a real hurt on an opponent. And everybody knows Joshua Clottey is the bigger man and Manny is the smaller man.”

Everybody knows that’s only when measured on a scale.

“If (Pacquiao) goes in the ring now at 142 or 143 pounds, that‘s not because he‘s putting on weight,” said Arum, trying to dispel any ugly rumors about different illicit substances that could have somehow found their way inside Manny‘s now-famous circulatory system. “That‘s because he eats breakfast and lunch before the weigh-in. If he had to, he’d still make 135 pounds. So the idea that Manny Pacquiao has suddenly become a big man is not true.”

Isn't it all relative?

 “Joshua has the size and he’s a natural welterweight and Manny isn’t,” Arum said. “That puts intrigue into the fight. Even Joshua will admit Manny is picked to win the fight because he has such a great resume. But the fight could go either way.”

Yeah. Manny by knockout or Manny by decision.

Clottey, like any good hand-picked opponent, says all the right things, even if they’re hard to understand at times because he‘s from Ghana and he's just learning to speak English. He says he’s blessed by God to be a part of this great extravaganza, and he’s trained hard and promises to do his best.

“If I don’t prepare very well and he’s hitting me, the punches are going to hurt me,” said Clottey, who, despite his limited English has a firm grasp of any possible repercussions if this fight doesn’t go his way. “So I’m protecting myself (by going to the gym) before I get in the ring. I’ll be very, very fine in the ring. I promise everybody a good fight.”

Ask Arum and he’ll probably say, “everybody knows this should be a good fight.“

Here’s to keeping your word, Josh. Try not to break our hearts.

’m not trying to sell Clottey short. He’s tougher than an old tire and he was one judge away from beating Miguel Cotto last June. But he’s going to be fighting a guy who’s a short step away from boxing sainthood. Pacquiao will have a three-round lead before he even steps in the ring. You think he’ll lose any close rounds? Think he won’t get the benefit of the doubt? Sorry, Josh, but go for the knockout.

Everybody knows that’s the only way you’ll win.