The return of Manny Pacquiao

Like a victorious general returning to ancient Rome, boxing champ Manny Pacquiao arrived to a hero’s welcome on Monday and shared his latest triumph with his cheering fans.

The ring superstar, along with his wife Jinkee and his entourage, arrived on board Philippine Airlines flight 103 from Los Angeles at around 5:45 am, eight days since retaining his World Boxing Organization welterweight crown via a 12-round domination of tough Ghanaian challenger Joshua Clottey in Texas.

“Masayang-masaya ako at nakabalik na ako sa Pilipinas at makakapiling uli ang mga anak ko. Nagpapasalamat ako sa lahat ng sumuporta at nagdasal para sa akin sa last fight ko,” the champ said.

Pacquiao children Jemuel and Princess led the welcome party and well-wishers for the 31-year-old fighter and his wife Jinkee at the NAIA Terminal 2, greeting their parents with a warm hug and kiss. Also present were his political ally Sen. Manny Villar and Deputy National Security Adviser Chavit Singson.

Unlike his arrival from his last two gigs in the US, this one’s practically free from controversies and issues that need addressing upon setting foot on local soil.

Remember his return from the Cotto fight last November, when a reported spat with wife Jinkee spread like wildfire? Mr. and Mrs. Pacquiao eventually arrived hand in hand, sharing a kiss at least twice at the airport to dispel rumors.

Earlier, last May, the AH1N1 (swine flu) scare nearly spoiled Pacquiao’s post-Ricky Hatton party, with the Department of Health advising the fighter to defer his return and undergo self-quarantine in the US first. The pound-for-pound king returned as scheduled, knocked out all worries about the deadly virus and went about his usual post-fight parade.

With no marital or health issue hounding him this time, Pacquiao had all the time to focus on his boxing.

Asked about Clottey, whom he failed to knock out, Pacquiao said: “Matibay din kaya nakatapos ng 12 rounds.”

As to the much in-demand megabout with Floyd Mayweather, Jr., the Pacman said bring “Money May” on. “Open ako na lumaban sa kanya. Anytime, pwede ako, basta magkasundo [on fight terms].”

There’s also the possibility that Pacquiao-Mayweather would no longer see the light of day as his mother, Dionesia, has been begging him to hang up his gloves.

“Pwedeng hindi na umabot doon sa Mayweather fight, pwedeng mag-announce na ako ng retirement, pag-uusapan pa namin ng pamilya,” he said.

With the elections looming, Sarangani congressional bet Pacquiao couldn’t help but talk about politics, declaring his readiness to go on the campaign trail beginning March 26.

“Handa na ako, bago pa man ako lumaban kay Clottey, nakahanda na ako sa kampanya. Anyway, March 26 pa naman ang start ng campaign [for local candidates], may ilang araw pa ako para makapiling ang mga anak ko bago mangampanya,” he said.

He also took the time out to bat for the partylist group, Partido ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA), which he said aims to help Filipino athletes who have the potential to bring honor to the country as well, especially with his possible retirement in the horizon.

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Pacquiao vs. Clottey result

Everybody is ready for the Manny Pacquiao vs. Joshua Clottey bout this Saturday evening, and the mannypacquiao.i.ph is going on the record with our official picks and predictions. Does anybody see Clottey pulling off the huge upset? Do they think Pacquiao will win by knockout or by decision, or what will happen in the bout?

Scott Levinson: Does anyone else feel this is more dangerous for Pacquiao the closer we get to March 13? Something inside is telling me Clottey is going to put forth a great effort. I think he will pursue and punch with purpose, which will only give way to a better Pacquiao. I see Pacquiao using his movement, speed, and fast combination punching to stay a step ahead in the early going. I picture a fast-paced and exciting bout. Pacquiao’s attack will begin to put a dent in Clottey’s resolve over the second half of the bout, causing his workrate to dip. Manny will sweep the final rounds and wind up winning about 10 rounds. I think Clottey will earn a moral victory in making it to the final bell.

Prediction: Manny Pacquiao by unanimous decision

Rich Thomas: Joshua Clottey is a tough fighter in the great Ghanian tradition of tough fighters, but I fear he is more like Ike Quartey than Azumah Nelson. He is a tough fighter and a serious threat to anyone who gets in the ring with him, but there is something in there that leaves him just short making the transition from being a good fighter into an excellent or a great fighter. Like Quartey, he is one of these guys who always seems to come just short when matched with a boxer who truly has the right stuff.

That said, Clottey is tough as nails. Miguel Cotto was looking somewhat fragile even before Pacman got to him, and I am starting to think that he might be one of these boxers who has a short, bright career with an early end, ala Donald Curry or Wilfred Benitez. Clottey might not have the championship grit, but his body is made of tougher stuff. He will be game going at least as far as the late rounds, although when it comes to making that last big push to pull himself out of the hole, Clottey won’t make it.

Prediction: Pacman UD12.

Nathan Nau: In a bout that most experts think is a mismatch, Manny Pacquiao will use his superior footwork, hand speed, and combinations to hold off the tough and larger Clottey.  I believe this fight will be closer than most experts think, with Clottey having his moments, but ultimately failing in an upset bid via a closer than expected unanimous decision.

Prediction: Pacquiao by unanimous decision

Scott Dryden (ProFighting-Fans.com): Clottey is a very tough competitor who has a ton to gain with a victory.  He will bring it to Pacquiao which will make for a very exciting fight, at least for awhile.  As he often does, Manny will take over the fight in the 5^th round and will dominate from there on out.  Pac-Man adds to his impressive victory with an 8th round KO.

Prediction: Pacquiao via 8^th round KO

Ryan McArthur: Just before Clottey fought Miguel Cotto back in March 09, he just may well have been the most underrated pug in the business. Just after Pacquiao fought Cotto 5 months later, he did become the most revered and feared fighter on the planet. Remember while watching Pacquiao that we just may be witnessing the best fighter the sport has seen since Roberto Duran of the 1970s.

Of course Pacquiao is the favorite here, and rightly so, he’s earned it. The fact remains however that this is a really tough and extremely well matched bout. Clottey is technically sound, a good body puncher and the strongest fighter Pacquiao has faced in his Hall of Fame career. Will this be enough though to stop the Pacman bandwagon?

Ultimately I’m going to have to say no and take the easy way out. Pacman by Unanimous Decision. He’s just far too busy, too fast and too good for the very competent Clottey (he just doesn’t throw enough punches to beat the Filipino).

Prediction: Pacman by Unanimous Decision

Jake Emen: Clottey is a very good fighter, but he seems to be just good enough to be able to complain loudly about losing his biggest fights. He came up short against Antonio Margarito and Miguel Cotto when both were winnable fights. There’s a chance that weighing 165 lbs or so on fight night will allow him to walk through Pacquiao’s shots and walk him down, landing thudding shots that take the speed out of Pacquiao’s legs and arms. That’s a small chance however, and Pacquiao should be able to buzz in and out of Clottey’s range, taking advantage of his cover up defense to score with plenty of telling shots.

Prediction: Pacquiao by Unanimous Decision

As you might expect all of the ProBoxing-Fans.com writers are siding with the favorite and the pound for pound king, Manny Pacquiao in the Pacquiao vs. Clottey bout scheduled for this Saturday evening. Most think it will be a unanimous decision, some foresee a stoppage and some could be sniffing some trouble brewing, but all see Pacquiao coming out ahead.

Come fight night, you can check in for our live Pacquiao vs. Clottey round by round blog. You can also check out Scott Levinson’s detailed, full length preview and prediction for Pacquiao-Clottey to get you geared up for the bout!