Access Pinoy

The world is ready for the fight between Philippines’ pride Manny Pacquiao and Ghana-born Joshua Clottey! And Texas, here in the US, will host the live event at their very own and brand new Houston Astrodome. Check out AccessPinoy tonite (for all US readers) or Sunday noontime (for all Philippine readers) for a special live blogging of the event.

31	AGE	32
145.75 lbs	WEIGHT	147.00 lbs
5′6-1/2″	HEIGHT	5′8″
67″	REACH	70″
50	WIN	35
3	LOSS	3
2	DRAW	0
38	KO	20
69.09%	KO %	51.28%

Forty-four years ago, Bob Arum promoted Muhammad Ali-Cleveland Williams in the brand new Houston Astrodome – a structure vast and extravagant enough to greet the Greatest of All Time.

“That building just blew me away,” Arum, the legendary Top Rank promoter, said. “I’d never seen anything like it before in my life. The suites, the amenities, there was nothing like it anyplace in the world.”

Until now, he says, having returned to Texas for another mega-fight in another revolutionary venue: Cowboys Stadium.

“It’s the most phenomenal building that I’ve ever been in,” Arum said. “Words can’t describe it. You’ve got to see it in person.”

Some 45,000 will pack it Saturday night for “The Event:” Manny Pacquiao-Joshua Clottey for the WBO welterweight championship. It’s arguably the stadium’s largest international sporting event yet until Super Bowl XLV arrives next February.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones dreams about his team playing for the Lombardi Trophy in its home arena. To that end, the franchise is discussing ways to improve the roster through free agency and the upcoming NFL Draft this month.

This week, Cowboys Stadium is boxing’s premier destination. Pacquiao, a proud Philippines native, is the main draw. He’s the welterweight champ and the only man in history to hold titles in seven weight divisions. What he lacks in size and bravado compared to Ali, he compensates with historical career accolades and global earning power.

Jones envisioned more than a football home when designing Cowboys Stadium. Championship boxing was one of many prospective events. The stadium’s 60-yard, center-hung digital video board ensures a quality vantage point for every fan – a unique feature that makes a 45,000-seat boxing capacity feasible.

“I’m really curious, I’m really anxious and excited about seeing how that setup shows a fight, especially one of this magnitude,” Jones said. “I saw (Pacquiao) work out. It’s going to be a good test for my screen to see if it can capture those fists. He’s fast.”

Jones and Arum both said they’re not looking past Saturday’s fight yet, but both would like to continue bringing big bouts to the area.

“If this is as good as it has been for some of the other events – basketball for instance – if this gets to that level, which I have every reason to think it will be, then I think we’re really on to something as to how to present boxing,” Jones said. “We know that we have the location to attract large crowds for boxing.”