Clottey a dangerous opponent for Manny

by Josef T. Ramos


OUTSPOKEN trainer Teddy Atlas said Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao will have a hard time against Joshua Clottey when the two clash on March 13 at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Texas.

Atlas told boxingscene.com that compared to World Boxing Association junior middleweight champion Yuri Foreman, Clottey ranks higher in terms of durability, strength and physicality.

“I think it’s a mistake for them to go with Clottey instead of Foreman. I know [Pacquiao] is looking at the size [of the 5’11”] Foreman but sometime it’s not about size,” said Atlas. “If Clottey would have kept the pressure on [Miguel] Cotto [when they fought on June 13], I think he would have stopped him [Cotto].”

Clottey, who stands 5’8”, has never been stopped and even survived 12 rounds with former welterweight champion Antonio Margarito. Many believe Clottey could have beaten the 5’11” Margarito if he did not break his hand in the fourth round.

“They are wrong when they assume this will be an easier fight because Foreman is one weight class up and Clottey is one weight class down,” said Atlas.

Atlas also mentioned that Foreman doesn’t fight a physical fight and Clottey has enough strength to hurt Pacquiao.

“He’s [Foreman] bigger but doesn’t use his size in a way that is dangerous, which is how Clottey uses his size one weight class below,” said Atlas.

“At 147 pounds, Clottey is much more physical and much more dangerous in this fight than Foreman.”

The camp of Pacquiao may have chosen Clottey because the New York-based fighter is also exciting inside the ring.

“I wanted an action fight, I don’t want Manny in a boring fight,” Roach said.

Atlas was the assistant of the late Hall-of-Famer trainer Cus D’Amato when the latter trained former heavyweight king Mike Tyson. He also trained former heavyweight king Mike Moorer and is currently the boxing commentator of ESPN2’s Friday Night Fights.

Atlas gained notoriety for pointing a gun at Tyson after the fighter tried to force himself on Atlas’ young niece.

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