He didn’t hurt me – Clottey

Source: Manila Bulletin
DALLAS, Texas — Joshua Clottey is indeed as hard as a rock – centuries old – if you may. Less than an hour after falling short on his bid to make history against Manny Pacquiao, Clottey faced members of the media, and with bravado, told them he was never in trouble in the entire 12-round bout Saturday night at Cowboys Stadium.

“He didn’t hurt me at all,” said Clottey, his face hardly bruised and cut. “I trained hard for this fight and I was in very good condition that’s why I was taking all those punches.”

Clottey went to the extent of defending his strategy as he was asked why he's so passive and did not take a risk of engaging Pacquiao in a furious battle.

“I think I did my best because Manny Pacquiao is dominating everybody and knocking them out.”

But the African praised his Filipino conqueror for his blazing speed.

“The guy is fast and he is good and he throws punches from every angle.”

Still, Clottey gave Pacquiao credit for becoming the first fighter to beat him, stressing that he did not lose to Antonio Margarito and Miguel Cotto.

“I think I lost a fight for the first time. He is very, very fast and I am trying to catch him and when I get to him he is strong, too,” added Clottey.

POWER PUNCHES

Manny Pacquiao threw an astonishing 682 power punches in dealing Joshua Clottey a lopsided beating Saturday night at the Cowboys Stadium.

The number is more than half of the total 1,231 that the Filipino unleashed in another display of punching prowess.

Clottey, who thought he could tire Pacquiao out, only threw 399, including 237 punches. Of the 682 that Pacquiao threw, 232 connected for 34 percent, while Clottey made 237 and landed 82 for 35 percent.

In the jabs department, Pacquiao let loose 549 with only 14 connecting because he threw mostly power blows in the 12-rounder.

Clottey, on the other hand, had 162 but could only land 26.