Both of these make it a more impressive performance. Pac looked small, Pac was vulnerable to a much bigger foes punches, but Pac still dominated that much bigger opponent completely. Pac showed great adjustment. I'm all for these adjustments, and I wouldn't have been sad to see others, maybe like the ones you describe, but expecting a fighter to alter a plan that is working to the tune of a shut out is perhaps asking a little to much. This is just a symptom of olympian expectations in my opinion.
The very reason Clottey didn't punch more often is because he was likely to get blitzed in return. He admitted as much in the post-fight press conference.
I think that was because Clottey was trying to step on Pac's foot to keep him in one spot. But yeah, a stay-busy fight is a stay-busy fight and probably one for Roach to reinforce his views of where Pacquiao is likely to be attacked or countered.
Like I've said before, Clottey is one of the division in the same way that Urango was one of the best in the division. There's a pretty sizable gulf in talent and will between Clottey and Mosley or Mayweather. I'd argue that there was a noticable gulf between Clottey and pre-Margarito Cotto as well. And speaking of Margarito, he beat Clottey convincingly, but that didn't vault him to superstardom. And, more importantly, we already KNEW that Clottey wasn't on Pac's level. Clottey couldn't beat a one-eyed prime for the taking Cotto. Pac murdered him. The outcome of the fight was pretty obvious. The only question was how few rounds Clottey would win. He turned in a performance even more lackluster than expected. You can say that Pacquiao is the victim of high expectations, if you wish, but there wasn't much doubt in the mind of most that this fight was a step down in competition. The result only confirmed what many already knew. That Clottey didn't deserve to be the same ring as Pacquiao.
How can anyone really say they were impressed given that Manny was the one pushing the fight? Sure he did what he had to do but we couldn't tell if there were any improvements other than with his work to the body.....but Manny has always had good work to the body...he just HAD to do it with Josh bc of his tight defense upstair. I was impressed but not overly. I expected the fight to play out like it did. Early on Josh was better...as the fight went on PAC got better. Blow out.
He showed he could work a heavybag for 12 rounds. Actually it was impressive to see him box and throw so many punches for an entire fight against a big guy. I would have liked to see Clottey fire back and try and actually win, could have changed things up as Manny looked to be ready to brawl with him if Clottey would have opened up.
He showed the ability to avoid a damaging head butt from the 'grandmaster of head butt'. Not too small a thing.
I thought he looked slower during the exchanges..but i'd have to watch the fight again. But I won't because I'd have to tear my eyes out from boredom.
Im hard pressed to find any highlights in this fight!!! lmao!!! Dont do it you need those eyes to watch May vs Mosley bro.