Pacquiao will fight Clottey instead of Mayweather

[Rappy Veteran]

Manny Pacquiao will fight Ghana's Joshua Clottey in March instead of bitter rival Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Plans for the pair to meet fizzled out this week after a row over Mayweather's demands for random blood and urine sampling in the build-up to their bout.

Pacquiao's promoter Bob Arum said a fight at some point against Mayweather had not been totally ruled out.

"There's always later in the year and next year, it's up to Mayweather," said the Top Rank impresario.

"But if he starts this nonsense again with testing or anything then let him take a walk.

"We are not going to get into a debate with him ever again on stuff that we know nothing about and that only regulators really can understand.

"We have commissions who regulate this sport. If [Mayweather Jr] wants any special testing he should address it to the commission that will have jurisdiction over the fight."

Arum insisted that Clottey, who beat Zab Judah for the IBF welterweight title in August 2008, will be a tough opponent for Philippines star Pacquiao.

"He's a real strong, aggressive and hard punching African and he poses a real test for Manny," he said.

Arum added that a location for the fight for Pacquiao's WBO welterweight belt would be decided next week.

Clottey, 32, lost a split decision to Puerto Rico's Miguel Cotto last June. He has a 35-3-0 record, with 20 wins by knockouts.

Pacquiao stopped Cotto in Las Vegas in November to become a five-weight, five-time world champion.

BBC