Joshua Clottey Seems Unprepared to Face Manny Pacquiao onMarch 13

Former IBF welterweight champion Joshua Clottey may not be physically and mentally prepared for his upcoming fight with pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao as his training suffered a snag with the American embassy's denial of his trainers' visa to US

Surprised at the sudden turn of events on his professional boxing career, Joshua Clottey seems unprepared for his once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a shot at boxing stardom. On top of his dormancy since he fought Miguel Cotto at the Madison Square Garden last year, Clottey is facing inevitable delay in getting his training on course for his March 13 fight with pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao Earlier Clottey got news from Ghana that his trainer has been denied a visa to enter the US. No details were available on the visa denial by the US embassy in Ghana. This unexpected development could hurt Clottey's preparation for his fight with the world's top boxer Manny Pacquiao who is fresh from his victory over Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto. According to reports, Clottey's trainers Godwin Nii Dzanie Cottey and Daniel Clottey have been denied US visa by the American embassy in Accra, Ghana. “An officer looked into the documents that I had with me and he just wrote something that they [were] going to do their investigations…and give me a call. As matter of fact, I don’t know what investigations they want to carry out,” he told Joy Sports’ Nathaniel Attoh. Joshua Clottey is expected back home tomorrow from his base in the US, where he was to begin intensive training for an upcoming world title bout against boxing sensation, Manny Pacquiao, according to Joy Sports. The former IBF Welterweight champion was due to begin preparations in the US ahead the March 13 bout when the visa problem by his trainers surfaced yesterday. Boxing fans say that distractions like this could affect Clottey's preparations for his upcoming fight with the top-rated Filipino boxer. They added Clottey's 10-month hiatus could have made him 'rusty' unless he trains for a longer period. Clottey has barely seven weeks to be in top shape for his date with Pacquiao on March 13 at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.