By Tim Dahlberg, The Associated Press
ARLINGTON, Texas — With the biggest fight crowd in the USA in 17 years cheering him on at Cowboys Stadium, Manny Pacquiao dominated Joshua Clottey from the opening bell Saturday night to retain his welterweight title and cement his status as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.
The fight was so one-sided, even those in the cheap seats among the crowd of 50,994 could tell without looking at the video screens that Pacquiao was in command. One ringside judge gave Pacquiao all 12 rounds; the two others gave him all but one.

Clottey kept his gloves up high in front of his face and chose to engage Pacquiao only in spurts. Clottey’s strategy worked to keep him upright, but he was never competitive.

“He’s a very tough opponent,” Pacquiao said. “He was looking for a big shot.”

Said Clottey (35-4): “He has speed. I lost the fight. He’s fast. That’s why I was taking my time.”

Pacquiao (51-3-2) was supposed to fight Floyd Mayweather Jr., but that matchup fell apart after a dispute over blood testing. The Filipino took out any frustrations over losing the biggest fight of his career by beating up Clottey on the biggest stage.

“I want that fight; the world wants that fight. But it’s up to him,” Pacquiao said.

That time won’t come soon. Mayweather is fighting Shane Mosley on May 1. The earliest the two could get together would be in the fall and only if Mayweather stops demanding blood testing.

The fight attracted the biggest U.S. fight crowd since Julio Cesar Chavez fought Pernell Whitaker at the Alamodome in San Antonio in 1993. Pacquiao earned at least $12 million. Clottey was guaranteed to make at least $1.25 million

Promoters not only sold out the 45,000 seats available for the bout, but they also added thousands more standing-room-only “party passes” for fans who could get a glimpse of the action and see every drop of sweat on huge overhead screens.

“It’s one of the most incredible stories not just in boxing but anywhere,” promoter Bob Arum said. “Fourteen years ago he was sleeping in a cardboard shack in the Philippines, and tonight he puts 51,000 people in this palace in Dallas.” read more