BOXING – March 13
WBO Welterweight Title (12 rds. – 147 lbs.)
MANNY PACQUIAO -700
JOSHUA CLOTTEY +450
(Odds at BetUS.com)
Over 9.5 Rounds -140
Under 9.5 Rounds +110
Manny Pacquiao by KO, TKO or Disqualification -160
Manny Pacquiao by Decision or Technical Decision +140
Joshua Clottey by KO, TKO or Disqualification +750
Joshua Clottey by Decision or Technical Decision +1000
Draw or Technical Draw +3000
[private]Joshua Clottey may be the strongest, most physically durable opponent Manny Pacquiao has faced thus far. But that is not to say he is talented enough to stand there, as he does, and outbox or outfight the Filipino banger. Clottey comes with sort of a peek-a-boo style, and is indeed difficult to hit. Pacquiao, however, comes from such odd angles, and with such quickness, that Clottey wil not have sufficent time to react and counter-punch. He is also not busy eniugh, and that is a rap that he’s had to endure in the past when he has faced credible fighters like Miguel Cotto and Antonio Margarito. Zab Judah, a swift southpaw like Pacquiao, had him handcuffed for much of their fight as well. Someone who is not busy enough will also be someone who, when it sinks in that he won’t win the fight on points and can’t score a knockout (Clottey is not a devastating puncher either) will struve to go the distance. That’s our best estimate of what will happen here.
THE PLAY: PACQUIAO BY DECISION (+140) ***
(Graded on a scale of 1-4 stars)
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