WATCH PACQUIAO VS CLOTTEY FIGHT REPLAY
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - Manny Pacquiao coasted to his 12th consecutive win and Cowboys Stadium was a big winner tonight in public opinion also as the 51,000 in attendance was the third largest crowd in American boxing history.
Pacquiao, 51-3-2 (38 KO's) of The Philippines, made the first defense of his World Boxing Organization Welterweight Championship (147 lbs.) by virtually shutting out a timid Joshua Clottey, 35-4 (21 KO's) of Ghana in a unanimous 12 - round decision.
Clottey, is just world-class enough to stink the joint out and an offensive marvel such as Pacquiao can't do anything about it, thus having to settle for the lackluster decision in front of fans that were so appreciative world - class boxing was paying it a rare visit that it wasn't going to let the fight ruin its coming out party.
Pacquiao was certainly willing to engage Clottey but Clottey chose not to fight and certainly should see his days of million dollar purses go down the drain.
Local promoter Jerry Jones now has boxing in his blood and boxing's traveling dog and pony show will find its way back to the $1.15 billion stadium again.
Jones had been thinking big but the record turnout and groundswell of national media, local support and the all important contagious fight week buzz all still has to amaze him and have him eager to pounce on another big fight.
In one night Jones, billionaire owner of the Dallas Cowboys and the new mega stadium, hosted the world's No. 1 pound for pound fighter Manny Pacquiao, Top Rank promoter Bob Arum, 51,000 of his new best friends that paid up to $700 a ticket and all in living color on worldwide TV from his Arlington playpen.
It was an auspicious start for Jones, and veteran promoter Arum has to be relieved his new Texas partner didn't take a financial bath his first time out of the box and gives all indications he's going to do this again.
I believe Las Vegas has no choice but to take its medicine and see possibly three to four major fights a year leave the Nevada casinos for Dallas and its southern hospitality.
Of course Las Vegas will put up a fight and Jones will certainly have to overpay for the privilege but he has lots of open dates on his stadium calender to fill.
The fastest way to blow this entire deal is if Arum or any other promoter sells Jones ESPN-level fights or let's just call it what it is - garbage.
Dallas only wants the best.
The fastest way to blow this entire deal is if Arum or any other promoter sells Jones ESPN-level fights or let's just call it what it is - garbage.
Dallas only wants the best.
Author: Matt Stolow
Source: examiner.com