Joshua Clottey is ready to let the whole world know what he’s all about. The Ghana native has an impressive record of 35 wins (20 by KO) with only 2 losses to world champions Antonio Margarito (asterisk) and Carlos Baldomir. Clottey will step in the big stage on June 13 against one of the sport?s best Miguel Cotto.
Clottey knows the significance of his upcoming fight as it would probably be his last crack at the big time. Not only does he have a chance to beat one of boxing?s finest and snag the WBO welterweight belt with it, Clottey is also standing in the middle of a possible mega-fight between Pound-for-Pound king Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto. A victory over Cotto legitimizes Clottey?s resume and will surely earn him consideration as Pacquiao?s next dance partner.
Clottey is a pressure boxer who comes at his opponents and wears them down. He is always in great shape every time he steps in the ring and comes forward to fight every single time all the way to the last round. For that reason, he may just very well be the opponent Pacquiao is looking for- that is if he beats Cotto of course. He would then have the belts and credibility that would entice a big pay day against the Pac Man.
Clottey has expressed his intent in fighting Pacquiao in the event he does beat Cotto. In a report published by Philstar.com, Clottey said,
“If I go in the ring and I beat Cotto right and they keep talking about him fighting Pacquiao then the only thing I ask is that they give me Pacquiao.”
Clottey holds impressive victories over the likes of Zab Judah and Diego Corrales and has been avoided recently by Kermit Cintron. A victory over Miguel Cotto might just be what pushes him to the top.
Against Cotto, Clottey has a simple game plan. He will bring the fight to Cotto and test Cotto?s will and heart the way he was tested in his sole defeat against Antonio Margarito. In an article by T.K. Stewart of BoxingScene.com, Clottey was quoted describing Cotto saying,
?I don?t respect his boxing skills. Maybe he can make me respect his heart. His skills won?t be able to keep him in the fight as rounds go by ? but his heart might be able to. I don?t know if he has the heart to last with me. Maybe after four or five rounds with me he?ll want to quit. I?m going to jump on him. I?m going to stop him.?
For Clottey, this is truly ?make or break?. His fight against Cotto is scheduled on June 13 at the Madison Square Garden in New York. Manny Pacquiao will be present to watch the fight live as he is also accepting his 2008 Fighter of the Year award in New York around that time and will be supporting his countryman Rodel Mayol who is in the undercard of the event. Clottey knows chances like this don?t come too often for fighters like him. Expect him to give it his all come fight night.
