Ghanaian former world titlist, Joshua Clottey (36-4, 22KOs) will finally be making his ring return after a lengthy layoff. Clottey recently inked a contract with Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing in New York and is looking forward to making his comeback sometime in September.
Fighting at least twice a year until reaching the top of the welterweight class, Clottey’s activity tapered off once he started facing the elite of the division. 2007 was a busy year for “The Grand Master” as he fought three times, most notably defeating the late, great Diego Corrales shortly prior to his passing (also coming in nearly 20 pounds heavier than Chico on fight night).
Among the other more notable opponents Clottey has squared off against – Zab Judah, Miguel Cotto, Manny Pacquiao and Antonio Margarito – The African fared extremely well against all of them, dropping decisions to future hall of famers Pacquiao and Cotto, also losing on points to Margarito. In all three of these engagements, an argument can be made that Clottely could have been victorious had he had a slightly different strategy;
Back in 2006 when he took on Tony Margarito, Josh Clottey dominated the first four rounds until he reportedly hurt his hand and was unable to mount any kind of offense for the remainder of the fight, Clottey himself was otherwise uninjured by Margarito.
Versus Puerto Rican star, Miguel Cotto, a strong case could be made that a split decision should have been awarded to “The Hitter” Clottey over “Junito”; many thought he did enough to win.
Against the Filipino fireball, Manny Pacquaio, Clottey famously (and suspiciously) ‘turtled up’ and rarely threw a punch the entire fight, though the few he did attempt to land distorted Pacquiao’s face to look like he was hit by a truck.
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