Freddie Roach Says Joshua Clottey's Best Punch is a Headbutt

Barely a week before Clottey faces Pacquiao for the WBO welterweight crown, Freddie Roach, the Filipino boxer's trainer, says he has figured out a way to counter Clottey's tactics including possible headbutting as he predicts a KO win by Pacquiao.

Less than a week before the highly talked about fight of Manny Pacquiao and Joshua Clottey, Manny Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach says Joshua Clottey's best punch is an uppercut and a 'headbutt'. Roach may be referring to Clottey's penchant for headbutting and other illegal tactics as reported in the media to gain advantage over his opponent.

"Sometimes he uses his head. If you fall into the pocket with him, his best punch is an uppercut and his second best punch is a headbutt. So we’re not going in there. We’re going to fight him at a distance."

Roach was talking about his fight strategy for Manny Pacquiao against the much taller and bigger boxer from Ghana. But the hall of fame trainer says '

"I don’t think size wins fights," said Roach, the four-time Trainer of the Year. "I think skill does. He (Clottey) may be a little stronger than Manny on the inside, he might hit a little harder, but I think our speed will nullify that."

Roach said he already had the 32-year old Clottey all sized up. "He’ll wait for you to throw a combination and then, when you’ve stopped, he’ll throw back. So if you stand in front of him, you’re an idiot," said the Roach, who turned 50 just a week ago.

"We’re not going to do that. He’s not going to be able to find us."

Meanwhile Kwaku Gyamfi, a member of Team Clottey predicted that Manny Pacquiao will be badly beaten by Clottey and will end up in hospital.

“Manny will be all cut up and bruised. It’s gonna be messy,” said Kwaku, motioning with his hands that Pacquiao will be cut all over his eyes, his nose and his mouth.“He’s going to be hit by a brick.”

Pacquiao is schedule to hold a concert for his fans after his date with Joshua Clottey. It has been a tradition during his past fights for the pound-for-pound king to treat his fans after his fights.

Too bad, Kwaku said, the 31-year-old pound-for-pound champion from the Philippines won’t be able to join his fans. “He won’t be able to perform after the fight. For the first time he won’t be able to perform,” said Kwaku.

The Pacquiao-Clottey match will take place at the Dallas Cowboys stadium on March 13 in Arlington, Texas. At stake is Manny Pacquiao's WBO welterweight crown.

(original article appeared @ Digital Journal )