Monday March 8, 2010, I experienced Team Clottey at the Joshua Clottey open workout for the media at the beautiful Gaylord Hotel in Grapevine, Texas.  At the end of the workout session it was difficult to ascertain if I was a writer or just another boxing fan in awe.  Watching Clottey was like watching a gentle giant in a petite frame.  His humbleness spoke loudly as he quietly spoke about his life and the Saturday night bout against Manny Pacquiao.

Clottey brushes aside the questions about his upcoming loss at the hands of the widely accepted best pound for pound fighter on the planet with ease. Clottey does not entertain thoughts about losing, nor does he predict what the outcome will be Saturday. He tells us those that will listen, that he is ready.

Clottey isn’t nervous, he gets up at 5:00 A.M. and runs to prepare his body and his mind for what has to happen in the ring.  People ask if he watches tapes of Pacquiao or if he has a strategy?  Clottey says he doesn’t; there is no tape watching and no strategy. He will go in the ring and fight a good fight.

The people of the Philippines wonder how his chin will hold up to Pacquiao’s punches. Clottey again reminds those who wonder, he is from Africa; he has been fighting his entire life.  His answer to those who wonder, yes, he believes he has a strong chin. Clottey does not go out clubbing, he understands of what he is on the brink of, Clottey’s mind and body as well as his chin is ready for whatever will come Saturday.

Clottey does not mind people being Pacquiao fans. They do not bother him; he is a fan himself. But once they get in the ring the fight begins he will be there in front of Pacquiao doing his best to defeat someone he considers a friend.

After the calm I was able to talk to his team or shall I say family.  Although his seconds for Saturday are stand-ins for his first choice, head trainer Godwin Kotey, who was unable to make the trip due to visa issues, they are proud and prepared none the less. Clottey was very upset his trip to Ghana in January and his efforts to obtain a visa for Kotey were in vain, but the show must go on. This fight is for his people in Ghana, for $1.5 million dollars plus pay per view royalties, for how this windfall will help his people, and because he is a fighter, a competitor first. At this level of competition, they almost all believe the can win. Team Clottey truly believes they will win.

The second, second Bismark Bruce hails from Ghana and is confident, excited, and honored to have been chosen to work with Clottey to prepare for this fight. Kwaku “Gator” Gyamfi another fellow Ghanaian provides the meals and acts as Clottey’s gatekeeper, no one gets to Clottey unless they go through him.  Thought he looks it, he is not a mean person. But he his loyal and has Clottey’s best interest in mind. I witnessed him talking to a person who wanted to promote their gym through Clottey and “Gator” quickly shut that down in a polite but stern way.

Then there’s Lenny De Jesus, the chief second / head trainer for this fight, who has the responsibilities that befall a chief second, but he does it his way and with plenty of humor. Talking to him I didn’t know whether to give him an autograph or a business card. At first sight he thought I was Oscar winning actor Monique. But then realized I wasn’t and advised me I looked much better. Yes, he provides humor; but training Clottey is a very serious matter for him. My experience with Team / Family Clottey was a great and memorable one.

North Texas Boxing wishes Team Clottey all the luck and more than that we wish for a great bout. Whatever the outcome. (031010)