Manny Pacquiao Win vs Clottey

Jubilant crowds in public and private venues throughout Visayas and Mindanao cheer boxing champ Manny pacquiao as he threw solid blows to Ghanian Joshua Clottey, but they could not hide their disappointment over the lack of knockdowns usually dished out by Pacquiao in his previous fights.

In Iloilo City, although disappointed that their idol failed to knock down his opponent, thousands of Ilonggos cheered and celebrated on Sunday after the win by a unanimous decision of the Filipino boxing champion.

Sweat-drenched fans flocked to public gymnasiums in plazas were giant screens were set up for free by the city government. Many fans waited for hours before the Pacquiao fight and bore the heat with some already shirtless by the time the fight started at noon.

Those who can afford to go to restaurants, hotels, cinemas and bars were the boxing match was shown live for a fee ranging from P250 to P600 including food and drinks.

As in previous Pacquiao fights, streets were almost empty as most were glued to television and radio sets or flocked to the free public screenings.

At the public gymnasium in La Paz District here, around 2,000 residents of all ages kept on cheering for a knockout as the fight dragged on until the 12th round.

In the cities of Cebu, Maasin (Southern leyte) and Tacloban (Leyte), many Pacquiao fans were just as disappointed over what they called as a “boring” fight.

“Way lami! (This is not fun at all),” was the usual shout of the fans because of Clottey’s clever moves to cover his face from Pacquiao’s incoming fist.

Freddy Roach, Pacquiao’s trainer, was upset by Clottey’s negative display. “World title fights come once in a lifetime. If you don’t have the balls to take it, and you just want to survive … well,” Roach said.

“Why not go for it and put it all on the line? I’m frustrated that he didn’t try to win the fight.”

Following constant encouragement to attack more from his corner, Clottey did land some blows, with a left uppercut followed by a heavy left hook in the 10th round, which Pacquiao, admitted rattling him. However, he regained his poise after Clottey failed to follow up.

Pacquiao, considered the sport’s best pound-for-pound fighter, improved his record to 51-3-2 (38 knockouts).