“This is going to be a different Joshua Clottey that Pacquiao will be facing,” De Jesus, noting that in a span of several weeks, he has altered the fighting style of the New York-based boxer.
Notorious for becoming complacent, De Jesus said Clottey is a changed man and that pressure will be applied to Pacquiao the moment the bell rings.
“We will pressure Manny Pacquiao and see how he handles pressure and he’s going to take pressure from a solid 147-pounder (welterweight),” said De Jesus, who assumed the role of chief trainer after the original pick to train Clottey was denied a US visa renewal and was forced to stay in Ghana.
De Jesus said the mistakes Clottey made against Miguel Cotto, one of which was allowing the Puerto Rican to pummel him on the ropes, won’t happen again since they had built a strong bond over the course of their seven-week camp in Florida and New York.
“Joshua’s happy with me in the corner and he has responded well from what I have been telling him in the gym,” said De Jesus, who was once a part of Pacquiao’s corner as cutman when the Filipino was still under the promotional wings of Murad Muhammad.
Despite the odds, De Jesus said an upset is brewing.
“I get up in the middle of the night thinking about this fight. Other people don’t expect much from Joshua Clottey but they’re underestimating him. Clottey is going to come up big in this fight.”
Meanwhile, the World Boxing Organization has announced that Rafael Ramos, who is from here, will be the third man on the ring, while the three judges are Duane Ford of Nevada, Levi Martrinez also from the Lone Star State, and Nelson Vazquez of Puerto Rico.
Source: Nick Giongco | Manila Bulletin
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