JOSHUA CLOTTEY seemed to disappear off the face of the earth after comprehensively losing a welterweight showdown with Manny Pacquiao in 2010.
But the 35-year-old Ghanaian is all set to launch an assault on the talent-rich light-middleweight division. The former IBF welterweight champ has signed a deal with promotional outfit Star Boxing and the Bronx-based ?Grand Master? says he will soon be ready for the big fights.
At 36-4 (22) and having been out of action since scoring a 2nd-round KO over Calvin Green in November 2011, Clottey says he feels refreshed and ready to get back in the mix. First up is a September 14 bout with the durable (stopped just twice) 14-12-3(5) Dashon Johnson.
It?s been almost two years since your last fight, what have you been doing?
Joshua Clottey: I?ve been training almost constantly. I had to change my promoter and my management. This went back and forth for a while and it took time. Now I am with Star Boxing and this is a good time for me. I have been keeping myself busy and I am happy with Star, because they treat me with the proper respect and they are very good to me. I have been in the gym a lot, here (Bronx, New York) and at home in Ghana.
And you will be fighting now at 154lbs?
Yes, I will not be going to middleweight. 154 is my natural weight. I should?ve been boxing at this weight all along. But I got the big names at 147 and I still did well against the very best at welterweight. I was drained making 147, I was starved even. Now I feel strong at 154 and just as fast. The people in the gym, they can?t believe how good I look right now. My body needed a rest as I was drained and now this fight [against Dashon Johnson on September 14] is the ideal comeback fight for me. This is an ideal situation for me, exactly what I need – the weight and a long term deal with Star.
You obviously want the big names at 154?
J.C: I don?t really like calling out names, but obviously I?ve always wanted a rematch with Miguel Cotto. He?s a 154-pounder now and I?d love another chance against him. People judge me by the Pacquiao fight and this is wrong. I am so much stronger at 154 and I will show the real me. I did what I could that night [vs Pacquiao]. I did what I could for the TV and for the fans. But I know I have to prove myself all over again. I?ve watched the fight just once. I know I never threw enough punches, but the punches I did throw, they all landed. I called my manager to my room after that fight. I don?t want to mention any names but I didn?t get the money I should have. I even had to pay for my own ticket to Ghana later. I knew this was happening and it affected my concentration going into the fight. I work hard, like all fighters, and you have to look after yourself. I never got all my money. I cried in my hotel room after the fight. I know I wasn?t at my best. It was down to the money and me being used. I felt that. It really affected me. That?s why I say don?t judge me by that fight. I wasn?t getting paid and I was thinking, ?why should I fight?? Now I have moved on from that fight and I am anxious to prove myself all over again.
The big names at 154 are Floyd Mayweather and Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez. How do you see that fight going?
I always wanted to fight Canelo. Again, I?m not mentioning names, but nobody would get me that fight – I was told I was crazy for asking for that fight! I think the time is ready for Floyd Mayweather to be dethroned – everybody has their time and then that time is up. But no way does Canelo win this fight. No way in hell. But I do think the time has come for Floyd?s reign to come to an end. It just won?t be Canelo that ends it.
Where do you train now?
I?m still in same place, John?s Gym in The Bronx. I haven?t been able to get any top name sparring for this first fight back, as it?s just a small fight and sparring partners always want paying. But I?ve had some good work. Right now I?m 160lbs and the fight [against Johnson] is set for 156. Making 154 will be just a small step further for me, no problem. I feel as fast as ever, and great in the gym. Like I say I?m strong and I?m ready for the big names.
You are a young 35, how long do you intend to box for?
Right now I?m in tip-top shape and there is now way I could quit now. I really need to prove myself after the Pacquiao fight. Right now, I?m doing what I do best. I run every morning and then I train and spar. I still love boxing and soon you will find out [how much]. You have to listen to your body and right now mine is strong and I?m hungry. My body still responds so why wouldn?t I box on? I may have years, I don?t know. You cannot put a time on it.?
