I don't think so. clottey either feared mannys punching power or he didn't have the hand speed to compete. the times he did open up, he landed FLUSH. manny did not look good after the fight. so maybe if clottey did open up more and hit regularly, we mightve at least seen a fight :-(
He still would of lost but it would of been alot more interesting if he opened up. In fairness it was a pityfull attempt at a world title by Clottey.
I think so. Clottey was landing the flush punches which were actaully doing more damage. the thing is that he would not follow them up. He was content with throwing mostly 1-2s and maybe a 3 once in a while. I dont understand. This was the biggest fight of his career and had he won he would become a superstar. Honestly from the looks of it it just seemed like he didnt want to win(i will hold my judgement on calling it a fixed fight). After the 3rd round i thought it was just a matter of time until Clottey would open up and follow those big shots he was landing on Pac with something else and take him out in the mid rounds. Imagine if he followed those vicious uppercuts he was landing with a couple of hooks....
his corner wasn't even trying to liven him up...like "c'mon! your a champ! take that belt!.. you gotta start throwing punches man!.... do you want to win this?!!!??? do you ****ing want to win this?!!!???" they knew the deal.
Judging by what he did in the 1st few rounds he probably could've put some hurt on Pacquiao and maybe made it interesting down the stretch. Of course he also would've opened himself up for counters and a possible KO loss and the fear of that is probably what kept his offense in check.
His trainer/cutman for that fight was prety ****. Dude had no idea how to light a fire under Clottey's ass.
