The first big fight of the year features Filipino hero Manny Pacquiao showcasing his superb southpaw skills again on Saturday.

Pacman faces the teak-tough Joshua Clottey in a fight that should live up to the hype.

It is for Pacquiao’s WBO welterweight title at the home of the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas. A sell-out crowd of 45,000 will pack into the Cowboys Stadium.

Pacquiao (38-3-2 with 38 Kos) is the odds on favourite but the 32-year-old Ghanaian is no pushover, witnessed by his controversial points loss to the highly respected Miguel Cotto last year. Many thought Clottey deserved the verdict.

Clottey (35-3, including 20 KOs) is not given much chance against the pound-for-pound king, but he has a strong belief in himself and is inspired by an opportunity to upset the script and thwart a likely match between Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr later this year.

Sports bars across Grand Cayman will be packed and the island’s Filipino community will certainly be cheering on their hero, especially at Jillian’s which is the favoured place for boxing people.

Boxing coach Nayon ‘Donie’ Anglin is a big fan of Pacquiao, 31. “I think he will be too fast and tricky for Clottey and will stop him in eight rounds.”

Former Caribbean light-heavyweight amateur champion Troy O’Neil said: “If Pacquiao uses his speed he will outbox Clottey. I don’t think he has the power to stop Clottey because he is as strong as a bull.”

Cayman’s world class light-middleweight pro Charles ‘The Killa’ Whittaker said: “It will be a good, exciting fight and not as one-sided as everyone’s saying. I go with Pacquiao but I wouldn’t be surprised if Clottey was to win on points.”

Whittaker’s trainer is Norman Wilson. He said: “This will be a very explosive fight. I had a chance to work with Clottey when I was in England.

“Speed is one thing but in his lighter days Pacquiao got tired towards the end of the fight. Clottey can fight 12 rounds morning, noon and night and I see him winning on points.”