“Manny Pacquiao is an enigma,” Jones told the Bulletin in his Texas twang Wednesday from Mexico City where he is holed out with Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum.
Jones, who owns the Dallas Cowboys and the Cowboys Stadium that will be the site of the Pacquiao-Clottey bout, said he marveled with the way the Mexican media and public responded to the event and specially to the Filipino fighter.
“Manny is well-respected, well-liked and beloved by Mexico, whose men he had beaten up,” said the awe-inspired Jones, who is joining hands with Arum‘s Top Rank Inc. in staging the world title match.
“The reception (here in Mexico) is unbelievable” added Jones, whose next stop will be the city of Monterrey where he and Arum are expected to preside over another press conference.
Jones and Arum decided to visit Mexico to further hype up the fight with the inclusion of Mexican fighters – featuring one-time Pacquiao sparring partner and ex-world champion Jose Luis Castillo – on the undercard.
“We are mesmerized with the reception given to us,” said Arum.
Meanwhile, Clottey is back in New York after a week-long stay in his native Ghana.
Top Rank publicist Lee Samuels could not confirm if Clottey was able to bring in his trainer-of-choice, Godwin Dzanie Kotey, whose application for the renewal of his US visa was denied in the capital city of Accra.
Samuels said Clottey made sure he did not let up in training while he was in Ghana.
“I was told by his manager Vinny Scolpino that Clottey trained hard while he was in Ghana,” said Samuels.
Team Clottey is headed for the Contenders Gym in Fort Lauderdale, Florida this weekend.
Source: Nick Giongco | Manila Bulletin
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