Donaire on Pacquiao-Clottey: Pacman by KO

Nonito Donaire, Jr. agreed with trainer Freddie Roach that Filipino ring superstar Manny Pacquiao will hand Joshua Clottey the first knockout loss of his career when they lock mitts on March 13 at the Cowboys Stadium in Texas.

The reigning World Boxing Association (WBA) interim super-flyweight king conceded that Clottey is one tough customer but expressed belief Pacquiao will eventually wear the Ghanaian challenger down and blast him away. “I hope Manny is not thinking that this is an easy fight. Clottey is big and has nothing to lose in this fight. But I really believe Manny will score a late-round stoppage since Clottey will feel the punches thrown by Manny late in the fight," Donaire said during Tuesday’s PSA Forum in Manila. His observation echoed that of the outspoken Roach who has said that good chin notwithstanding, Clottey won’t last 12 rounds with Pacquiao. “The Filipino Flash" recently easily retained his 115-lb belt via a third-round dismantling of Manuel Vargas of Mexico in a Las Vegas fight card witnessed by Pacquiao himself two weeks ago. The Pacman, who is in the thick of training in Los Angeles, took the time out to grace the card to support Donaire and other Filipino bets Gerry Penalosa, Ciso Morales, Bernabe Concepcion and Mark Jason Melligen while aiming to solicit funding for sick fighter Z Gorres, who was at ringside that night. Donaire is back in the Philippines to share his victory with his countrymen. He’s set to go on a motorcade around Manila on Wednesday, visit the recuperating Gorres in the latter’s hometown in Cebu, accept a major award from the Philippine Sportswriters’ Association (PSA) and tape episodes for Pacquiao’s GMA 7 sitcom “Show me da Manny." He plans to be in the US by March 7 or 8 to start a more intensive training camp for his scheduled May 8 fight in Mexico City against a still undetermined rival and of course, cheer for Pacquiao against Clottey. “I want to be in top shape because my opponent in my next fight will surely have more advantage than me with the fight to be held in Mexico. But I will give my best and make the country proud again," Donaire said. The 26-year-old fighter is eyeing fights at higher weight classes (118 and even 122 lbs) possibly against Mexico's Fernando Montiel at bantam or Israel Vasquez or Rafael Marquez at super bantam. He’s also considering a major bout at his current division – super-flyweight – possibly against old nemesis Vic Darchinyan or Jorge Arce. "I'd fight anybody if it's for the world title," said Donaire. – GMANews.TV