The Wutz Up in the Philippines!

MANILA, Philippines—Politicians who ride on the fame of Manny Pacquiao are forewarned: Don’t inject politics into any victory celebration for him when he comes home—unless you want to run afoul of election campaign laws.

“It’s a warning. Don’t use the victory parade for (your) own political purposes,” Election Commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal said Monday, referring to national and local candidates who aim to bask in Pacquiao’s glory following his one-sided win over Ghana’s Joshua Clottey last weekend in Texas.

In other words, keep politics out of any celebration in honor of the boxing champ.

“This one is a national event, a sporting event, it’s not an event that’s owned by any particular group, politician or political party,” said the Commission on Elections official.

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After Clottey, Pacquiao fans want Mayweather next

ARLINGTON, TEXAS—Before one of the largest indoor crowds in modern US ring history, Manny Pacquiao Sunday dominated a strangely gun-shy Joshua Clottey, outpunching him from bell to bell, to retain his World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title.
The ease with which Pacquiao outclassed Clottey over 12 rounds—at times, the Filipino looked as if he were simply working up a sweat in a sparring session—left many fans and experts hankering for a once-in-a-lifetime fight between him and the undefeated American Floyd Mayweather Jr.

“We are ready to fight him (Mayweather) any time,” The New York Times quoted Pacquiao as saying. “I don’t think he’s ready to fight.”

“I want that fight, the world wants that fight, but it’s up to him,” Pacquiao said after the one-sided match on Saturday night (Sunday morning in Manila).

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When Filipino boxing hero Manny Pacquiao faces Joshua Clottey of Ghana in the ring on Sunday (Saturday in the U.S.) in Texas to defend his welterweight crown, the Ampatuan clan won’t be in the audience at the Dallas Cowboys stadium to cheer him like in his past fights.

Twelve prominent members of the powerful family, which counts among Pacquiao’s biggest patrons and fans, and 16 of their relatives have been implicated in the Nov. 23 massacre in Maguindanao and are either detained or at large.

Of the 12, Andal Ampatuan Jr., mayor of Datu Unsay town, is being held at the National Bureau of Investigation in Manila on charges of masterminding the multiple murders. The patriarch, former Maguindanao governor Andal Sr., is confined in a military hospital in Davao City, while his sons Zaldy, Anwar and Sajid, and brother-in-law Akmad “Tato” Ampatuan Sr. are detained at the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in General Santos City on charges of rebellion and multiple murder.

The other six—grandsons Saudi Jr., Bahnarin and Anwar “Ipi” Ampatuan Jr., Kanor Datumanong Ampatuan, Mama Ampatuan and Norodin Ampatuan—have yet to be arrested.

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Due to brownout threats, power generators will gain prominence in the country as the Filipino boxing champ Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao steps into the ring to face Joshua Clottey in the United States this Sunday (Manila time).

A report on dzBB radio on Friday said many local governments, including those in Metro Manila, are setting up generators in preparation for possible brownouts.

In Manila’s Tondo district, the report said the city government arranged for generators to be installed at the Tondo Sports Complex where the bout will be shown for free.

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DALLAS, TEXAS—Filipino ring king Manny Pacquiao said his lightning fast speed would be enough to nullify Joshua Clottey’s size advantage when the two meet here in Texas on Saturday (Sunday in Manila).

“My quickness will be the key, my speed,” the seven-time world champion told Reuters as he prepared for a public workout in front of a throng of fans.

However, the WBO welterweight champion is not taking his Ghanaian opponent lightly.

“You cannot underestimate Joshua Clottey,” he said. “He’s a good fighter, and he’s bigger than me, and I have to be very focused in the fight.”

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HOLLYWOOD – Manny Pacquiao turned on the heat inside the gym Saturday as the temperature dropped outside.

He sparred for six rounds against Abdulla Amidu and Dave Rodela. He worked so hard. He moved so well. He looked sharp.

Trainer Freddie Roach was so impressed he shortened Joshua Clottey’s lifespan on the ring by a couple more rounds as the March 13 fight at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas neared.

A month ago, Roach said he’d be happy if Pacquiao wins by decision. Then last Thursday, he said Pacquiao should knock out Cottey inside nine rounds, but he’d be happier if the fight ends right in the opening round.

Thursday, he said Clottey should be gone in six or seven rounds.

“It will not go the distance,” he repeated.

“He’s (Clottey) gonna last (only) six or seven rounds. He’s going to be overwhelmed with the punches. He’s never been attacked like this before,” said Roach after they raised the total number of sparring to 138 rounds.

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A FIFTH STRAIGHT KNOCKOUT.

That will be Manny Pacquiao’s target when he stakes his World Boxing Organization welterweight title against Joshua Clottey on March 13 at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Master trainer Freddie Roach, who has accurately predicted Pacquiao’s stoppages of David Diaz, Oscar De La hoya, Ricky Hatton and Miguel Cotto in succession, told Fighthype.com Monday that they want to put Clottey away inside the distance.

“I think we’re going to get him (Clottey) in 12 easily, but he’s definitely a tough guy to knock out,” said Roach. “That’s our goal, to knock him out and be the first one to do that (against Clottey).”

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