• Boxing

Pacquiao to fight Clottey in Dallas

espn staff
January 11, 2010
Manny Pacquiao will now defend his title against Joshua Clottey © Getty Images
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Manny Pacquiao will defend his WBO Welterweight title against Joshua Clottey after failing to reach an agreement to fight Floyd Mayweather Jr. The bout will take place at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas on March 13.

Negotations between Mayweather Jr and Pacquiao broke down when the latter dismissed demands for random blood tests during any of the 30 days prior to the fight. Assuaging the concerns of disappointed boxing fans desperate to see the Filipino face the American, promoter Bob Arum insisted Clottey will prove a superior opponent to Mayweather Jr.

"This is a better fight. [Clottey's] a real strong, aggressive and hard-punching African and he poses a real test for Manny," said Arum. The Ghanaian, who has a 35-3 record, lost his last fight on points against Miguel Cotto - who Pacquiao defeated in November.

Speaking about the Mayweather Jr fight, Arum blasted the American: "Mayweather never wanted it. Manny wanted the fight. He was agreeable to terms. The fight's off. Mayweather is a coward. The fight's off not because of us, not even because of Golden Boy. It's because of him personally."

The Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, whose NFL team will host the bout at their stadium, is insistent that the Clottey fight will not disappoint. "Manny defending his title against Joshua Clottey is not just a great event, it's a great fight, and one we can showcase to the fullest in Cowboys Stadium," said Jones.

© ESPN EMEA LTD
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