Manny Pacquiao and Joshua Clottey (Photo: Chris Farina)
There is nothing quite like the anticipation that takes place during the week of a big fight. Boxing is a sport different than any other in that there are several events and festivities that surround the fight itself, all building up the excitement and hype towards the contest.
Despite being four days away from the WBO Welterweight title fight between Manny Pacquiao and Joshua Clottey at Dallas Cowboys Stadium, there seems to be a buzz already picking up in the city as the main event fighters as well as some key undercard pugilists have already made their presence known.
Top Rank photographer Chris Farina has been charting the moves of Pacquiao, Clottey, and Humberto Soto, who squares off with former champion David Diaz as a key undercard attraction. The Las Vegas based photographer insists that all of the pre fight festivities serve towards a build up of the event itself. Below are some of the telling storylines and images from Dallas this week.
Pacquiao’s arrival and early morning run
Late last night Manny Pacquiao arrived in Dallas and was greeted by promoter Bob Arum. Pacquiao could also be seen exchanging some serious words with trainer Freddie Roach later on in the evening. Along with Pacquiao was his wife Jinkee, who will be showing her husband support during the contest. For the past eight plus years of his life Pacquiao has found himself in huge championship showdowns and the responsibilities of fight week is nothing new to him at this point.
Early this morning Pacquiao went running with dog ‘Pacman’ at nearby Mustang-Panther Stadium. Wearing a bright red, custom suit from Nike, Pacquiao seems to be in good spirits as he put in his work while also stopping to smile and enjoy the moment. The workout typically taper off during fight week, as the focus simply turns to making sure the fighter’s mental state is in the right frame of mind. From the looks of things Pacquiao seems to be ready to go.
To see images of Pacquiao’s arrival and early morning run click HERE
Clottey talks to the media
It has been no secret that Accra, Ghana’s Joshua Clottey is looked at the outsider in this contest, as the -800 odds against him reflect such a reality. Despite being considered one of the world’s top five Welterweights, Clottey is going up against a whirlwind of a fighter who has been on a menacing tear and seems to be improving with each contest.
Despite all of that Clottey has exuded a striking confidence heading into the contest and could be found talking to the press yesterday during Media day in Dallas. Clottey has answered a variety of questions, from his confusion in the corner, his thoughts on Pacquiao, and his chances during the contest. By all accounts Clottey had a solid training period in South Florida and he should present a serious test for Pacquiao on Saturday night.
To see images of Clottey speaking to the media and working out please click HERE
Humberto Soto going for Lightweight glory
Since upsetting Rocky Juarez in August of 2005, Los Mochis’ Humberto Soto has been one of the more overlooked prizefighters in the sport of boxing. Combining excellent range, solid skills, and a willingness to mix it up on the inside, the former WBC Jr. Lightweight champion will be attempting to win a belt in a second weight class when he meets former champion David Diaz for the WBC Lightweight strap on Saturday night. It’s a big opportunity for Soto and he gave his thoughts to the press yesterday.
For more images on Pacquiao, Clottey, and Soto please click on the slideshow below…
In the news (click on picture to access article)
Images of the week
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Click on the collage above for an inside look at the April 2010 issue of the Ring Magazine, which features an inside look at Timothy Bradley, a preview of Pacquiao-Clottey, as well as features on Floyd Mayweather, Teddy Atlas, Carl Froch vs. Mikkel Kessler and more...
Chris Robinson is based out of Las Vegas, Nevada. He can be reached at Trimond@aol.com, www.Twitter.com/CRHarmony, and www.Facebook.com/CRHarmony. More of his work can be found HERE
Comments
CLOTTEY IS REALLY A BIG AND STRONG GUY AFTERALL.....PACMAN "NEVER" UNDER ESTIMATED HIS OPPONENT! EVERY OPPONENTS THAT HE FACED, HE GAVE THEM SO MUCH RESPECT! ITS NOT AN EASY TASK FOR OUR HERO PACMAN, BUT IM SURELY KNEW HE WILL PREVAIL ONCE AGAIN... LETS ALL WATCH THIS VERY EXCITING FIGHT OF PACMAN, "FIGHTER OF THE DECADE" HOLDER! GODSPEED PACTEAM! PAC THEM ALL! GO, GO, GO!!!!
Freddie Roach have got to respect Pacquaio he is not a little kid and Pacquaio hardly even say a thing to anybody even when ask a question he straggles to answer them. Pacquaio should find another coach or trained himself. Roach is a coach-controlling freak. Can you get us info from Pacquaio of what happen? Roach taking advantage of Pacquaio because he doesn’t talk much.
pacquiao and roach should stay forever!
What could possibly Pacquaio have done wrong that Roach cannot wait until the next morning to scold Pacquaio likes he owns him. This is just hurting to know how he treats Pacquaio sometimes. The man work so hard he does not deserved to be treated like this.
What made you say that roach is scolding manny? is that what the picture tells you?
PACQUIAO’S FIGHT WITH CLOTTEY
WILL BE THE GREATEST FIGHT THE
WORLD WILL EVER HAVE
After Pacquiao irresponsibly revealed that God had spoken to him and him to God, the latter initially intended then to deliver Pacquiao as a prey to Clottey. But because God does not want that the filipino people will be disgraced from Pacquiao’s defeat (many filipinos will also die from worries if Pacquiao will be defeated), God then has decided not to allow Pacquiao to be defeated by Clottey. In this fight, however, Pacquiao will be having a hard (not easy) victory. He will also be castigated by Clottey, but in the end Pacquaio will be victorious or utmost Clottey will be able to obtain a draw. This is a fight which God wishes all the people of the world to see. There will be full of excitement, thrill, fear and gasping from the viewers. This is the greatest fight the world will ever have and will never forget. This is also the fight, the world will acknowledge that the filipinos are God’s
@Ariza need to take over
S T F U AND F U C K K YOU!
@Ariza need to take over
ki ng ina kang makpili ka! hindot talga mga lahi moooo! hindoooot!
i heard honorable mention like President Bush and First Lady Laura Bush will be there. AWESOME!!!! xD
This is really a SERIOUS EVENT!!!! :)
Vote for President Bush Filipinos xD
Fck Obama! That guy want the people to realy on the GOVERNMENT TOO MUCH so that THEY CAN EASILY CONTROL IT. They created this economy crisis in purpose so that people will not have job to pay for insurance and force to go to government insurance. Thats why they are making it hard for businesses who give jobs to the people. Democrat want the Nation of FREE MEN and WOMEN to go to COMMUNISM.
RELY
Obama want people to rely on the government more so that government has more power over the people. What Obama is doing and his administration is not new if you study political science and WORLD HISTORY.
WAT R ALL U CLOWNS TALKING ABOUT.. U R ALL PACQUIAO GROUPIES..IF U HAD ACTUALLY WATCHED THE FIGHT(NOT JUST FIXING UR EYES ON PACQUIAO) U WUD HAV SEEN THAT ALL HE DID WAS JUST THROW PUNCHES THAT WENT NOWHERE EXCEPT TO CLOTTEYS FOREARMS AND ELBOWS.. THE PUNCHES THAT DID GO THROUGH LANDED TO THE BODY, YES PACMAN WON THE FIGHT, BUT THERE WAS NOTHING SPECIAL ABOUT HIS PERFOMANCE. ANYBODY CAN THROW A MILLION PUNCHES BUT IF THEY R GOING NOWHERE THEN ITS POINTLESS. THE FEW PUNCHES THAT CLOTTEY DID THROW WERE ALL CATCHING PACMAN CLEAN TO THE HEAD.PACMAN DID NOT LAND ANY CLEAN OR DEVASTATING PUNCHES. CLOTTEYS FACE WAS UNMARKED WHILE PACMAN LOOKED BATTERED. IF U HAD SEEN THE FIGHTERS FACES AFTER THE FIGHT WITHOUT KNOWING THE RESULTS, ONE WUD HAV ASSUMED THAT CLOTTEY HAD WON. PACQUIAO IS OVERATED.... AND COMMENTARY AT HIS FIGHTS IS ALWAYS ONE SIDED... THE COMMENTATORS SEEM TO CONCENTRATE ON KISSING HIS ASS INSTEAD OF WATCHING THE FIGHT AND COMMENTATE ON EXACTLY WAT IS HAPPENING IN THE FIGHT.
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