Clottey Fights Pacquiao

Joshua Clottey and Manny Pacman Pacquiao

Ghana's Joshua Clottey has been handed a rare opportunity to fight the world's best  pound-for-pound fighter  Manny Pacman Pacquiao.

Pacquiao will fight Clottey on March 13, the date originally set for the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight.

Clottey's manager told ESPN.com that Top Rank's Bob Arum and he (Clottey's manager) spoke regarding the fights details, but would only confirm a seven-figure amount.

Since Mayweather and Pacquiao could not agree on details for their fight, Pacquiao has made alternative plans for the March 13 date.

“Josh is ecstatic about it (the fight with Pacquiao),” Vinny Scolpino said to ESPN.com.

“I think we can get this done in a couple of days. He's coming to New York from Ghana on Monday.”

Clottey, who lost to Miguel Cotto by split decision in June during their wild WBO welterweight title fight; a fight many felt Clottey won, was expected to fight Carlos Quintana December 5, but that fight was called off because Kelly Pavlik, due to a hand injury, pulled out of the main event against Paul Williams.

Also Pacquiao's fight with Mayweather Jr. was called off by Pacquiao's promoter Arum Wednesday night after mediation between both groups failed over drug-testing protocol for the highly anticipated mega fight.

To fight Pacquiao now for Clottey, it brings more attention to the fighter and probably a huge payday as well.

“It's the biggest payday he [Clottey] ever made in his life. It's a huge opportunity,” Scolpino said.

Even before Arum announced the decision to battle Clottey, Pacquiao's trainer Freddy Roach had mentioned to ESPN's Brian Kenny the decision to fight the Ghanaian.

Unfortunately for all boxing fans, the main fight everyone wants to see will have to wait for another time as Clottey gets his chance to fight Pacquiao.

From Sports Desk with files from Jocklife