It wasn't much of an event. Despite the gargantuan hype, the WBO welterweight title match between reigning champ Manny Pacquiao and Ghana's Joshua Clottey was more an exercise in drudgery than anything else. Clottey, the challenger, with a 10-pound advantage and an all-too-haughty demeanor failed to impress and committed quite a number of boxing faux pas. Some commentators even thought the sparring practices from the weeks of preparation for both camps held more action than this weekend's main bout.Pacquiao brought his usual high-adrenaline game as was expected of the record holding, multi-titled fighter -- the footwork was there, as well as the speed and the menacing blows both to the body and to the head. In fairness to Clottey he took a tough enough stance. However the so-called "Hitter" simply allowed himself to be an overgrown punching bag through all 12 rounds, throwing glancing blows to Pacquiao as a mere afterthought it seemed.
The Philippines' favorite son took home the title once again, this time on an overwhelmingly unanimous decision. A win is a win and kudos to the Pac-man. Nevertheless, this is hardly the way a well-favored fighter should exit the ring. Even as talks of Pacquiao's retirement is nearing fruition, more sooner than later, there is a prevalence of expectation for Manny Pacquiao to go out with a big convincing win. This is something that "The Event" failed to deliver.
