The Philippine Online Chronicles

Trainer Freddie Roach and boxing promoter Bob Arum have different predictions for the outcome of the upcoming match between Manny Pacquiao and Joshua Clottey.

According to the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Roach, who had earlier declared that Pacquiao would hand the Ghanaian challenger his very first knockout loss, said the end would come in the ninth round of the 12-round bout. Nine is apparently the favorite number of the trainer.

Arum, on the other hand, believed it would be "a distance fight," saying he would be surprised if the Filipino champion manages an abbreviated fight. Clottey has only been knocked down once in 38 fights (35-3). The top-notch promoter added that Clottey is a dangerous foe who could beat the odds and end Pacquio’s winning streak of 11 games, the last four by knockout.

While Roach acknowledged that the Ghanaian is a tough opponent, he insists that Pacquiao (50-3-2, with 38 knockouts) would win the day, and he is not about to change his mind. The trainer was quoted by The Philippine Star as saying, "The thing is he’ll be going to be overwhelmed by the punches. He’ll get it from so many angles. He’s never fought a guy who swarms over him like Manny Pacquiao does. He’s not used to that. Like Oscar [de la Hoya], we’ll let him quit it, I feel."

Roach seems to be slowly getting on Clottey’s nerves. During his media workout in New York on Thursday, the former International Boxing Federation (IBF) champion hinted that he is going not after Pacquiao, but after Roach.

Vinnie Scolpino, Clottey's manager, has admitted as much, saying that his ward is motivated by the desire to put Roach in his place by beating Pacquiao.

Although a rematch is not stipulated in the fight contract, Arum said he would arrange for one should Clottey vanquish Pacquiao.

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