MANILA, Philippines – It was the first time for defending World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao to fight in a massive venue on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Fighting at the $1.2-billion Cowboys Stadium proved to be fruitful for Pacquiao as he was able to defend his title against Joshua Clottey of Ghana via unanimous decision with the scores 120-108, 119-109 and 119-109.

“Grabe dahil alam mo na-surprise ako sa tibay ni Joshua Clottey,” Pacquiao told ABS-CBN Correspondent Dyan Castillejo.

“Pero noong pagpasok ko pa lang sa ring, nakita ko ang mga fans lalo akong naganahan. Dahil sabi ko first time in my life, in my boxing career, na ako ang main event na ganito karami ang mga tao. I have to show my best na mapasaya ko iyong mga tao,” he said of the more than 50,000 spectators at the Cowboys Stadium.

Pacquiao, who was in the locker room when he was interviewed by Castillejo, added that Clottey was a tough nut to crack. The Ghanaian refused to go down so Pacquiao kept the heat on.

“Talagang ang ensayo, ang training naman is enough for this fight, pero di tayo nag-kumpiyansa, ‘di tayo nagiging careless kasi he's looking for a big shot. He’s looking for a timing para ma-counter tayo at nag-ingat naman tayo,” said the Filipino boxing icon.

'A lot of punches'

Clottey, in an interview after the fight, said he could not keep up with Pacquiao’s pace.

“The guy is fast and he threw a lot of punches. I’m too tight, my body’s tight,” noted the Ghanaian.

But he said he could have won the fight if he fired more punches.

“You see he never hurts me. His punches doesn’t (sic) hurt. If I threw a lot of punches, I’m gonna win,” he stated.

When asked what he would do differently if ever there will be a Pacquiao-Clottey rematch, the Ghanaian remarked, “I have to throw a lot of punches.”

Best in the world

It was a happy scene at the locker room as family friends and Team Pacquaio took turns to greet the 7-division world champion.

His wife, Jinkee, gave him a big hug after kissing him. “Super galing. Amazing performance. Wala ka nang hihingilin pa. Siya ang the best in the world,” she said of her husband’s spectacular boxing achievement.

Veteran Hollywood actor and director Robert Duvall also entered the locker room to congratulate Pacquiao.

So did Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, who was all praises for the Filipino superstar. He said he was amazed by Pacquiao’s incredible performance. He hopes the pound-for-pound king can return to the Cowboys Stadium for another bout.

“Fantastic performance,” remarked Jones. “You should be very, very proud.”

Pacquaio is scheduled to fly out of Dallas, Texas to Los Angeles, California on Sunday (Monday in Manila).

Mayweather question

Pacquiao thanked Duvall for dropping by the locker room.

The Academy Award-winning actor, meantime, told him: “You gotta fight (Floyd) Mayweather.”

The pound-for-pound king agreed with Duvall. “Ya, that's a good fight,” he said.

He then told Castillejo that his supposed opponent that night will have to prove himself against Shane Mosley on May 1.

“Kailangan niya muna ipanalo ang laban against Mosley at panoorin natin,” Pacquiao commented on Mayweather.

Clottey earlier said that the reigning WBO welterweight champion can take on either Mosley or Mayweather.

“He can take anybody who’s a welterweight guy. He’s fast. They don’t have to underestimate him because he’s a smaller guy to where he is so he is gonna be fast on everybody because he’s small. He’s gonna be fast,” he noted.

Early arrival

Castillejo noted that Pacquiao was all smiles when he saw the crowd at the Cowboys Stadium.

Filipinos arrived early at the venue to give their all-out support to their boxing hero. Every section of the arena had Pinoys and Philippine flags. As always, Pacquiao’s fans were passionate and loud.

The Filipino fight fans enjoyed a different experience in Arlington because they were awed by the huge Cowboys Stadium. The stadium’s HD screen even showed every punch from the ring.

Even Journey frontman Arnel Pineda, who sang the Philippine National Anthem, arrived that venue early. He said he was thrilled to sing the “Lupang Hinirang.”

Some of the personalities who watched the bout were veteran Filipino boxer Gerry Peñalosa, former boxing world champion Antonio Margarito, celebrity KC Montero and House Speaker Prospero Nograles.