Joshua Clottey (born October 6, 1977) is a Ghanaian former professional boxer who competed from 1995 to 2019, and held the IBF welterweight title from 2008 to 2009. As an amateur, he competed at the 1994 Commonwealth Games. At the peak of his career, he was notable for his exceptionally durable chin, and was never stopped in any of his five losses.

Early life As a child in his native Ghana, Clottey had a passion for football, a sport that was also played by his father. Clottey moved and spent a few years in the United Kingdom then later to the United States.

Professional career

Welterweight Clottey rose to prominence by winning his first twenty fights, including 14 by knockout. His performance set him up to fight Carlos Baldomir, in a title defense by Baldomir for the WBC international welterweight title. Clottey was winning until the 10th round, where he was penalized two points for an intentional head butt. After another clash of heads, Clottey was disqualified.

Clottey rebounded from the controversial loss by winning the African Boxing Union welterweight title in his next fight. He then rolled off a 10 fight winning streak highlighted by his first win on American soil and capture of several minor welterweight and middleweight titles. The streak culminated in an IBF intercontinental welterweight title. On December 2, 2006, Clottey earned his first shot at a world title but broke his hand in the fourth round of his fight against World Boxing Organization champion Antonio Margarito. That bout against Margarito has since come under controversial suspicion following news reports (released after Margarito's fight with Shane Mosley) that Margarito had boxed opponents with hand wraps illegally loaded with plaster (along with Margarito's first bout with Miguel Cotto). On April 7, 2007 (following Clottey's questionable loss to Margarito), Clottey earned a unanimous decision over Diego Corrales, in what was Corrales's final fight before his death. In December 2007, Clottey positioned himself for another title shot with a win over prospect Shamone Alvarez.Scorecard: Clottey gets past Alvarez, moves closer to title shot – boxing – ESPN. Sports.espn.go.com (2007-12-24). Retrieved on 2012-02-29. Clottey beat Zab Judah on August 2, 2008, for the IBF welterweight title vacated by Antonio Margarito.

Clottey vs. Cotto

On June 13, 2009, Clottey faced Miguel Cotto in New York City at Madison Square Garden for the WBO welterweight title. Cotto dropped Clottey in the first with a jab. Cotto was cut in the third round by an accidental head butt. Clottey's combinations throughout the fight gave Cotto problems. Cotto emerged the winner with a controversial split decision.Miguel Cotto-Joshua Clottey: Round by Round. Bleacher Report (2009-06-14). Retrieved on 2012-02-29.

Clottey vs. Pacquiao: The Event

Clottey fought seven-division world champion Manny Pacquiao on March 13, 2010, in Arlington, Texas, at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium following the disagreement on terms of a proposed boxing match between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. which would have been scheduled on the same date in Las Vegas, Nevada. Clottey lost to Pacquiao by unanimous decision. Pacquiao threw a total of 1231 punches in the fight, missing 985 and landing 246. Clottey threw a total of 399 punches, 291 missed and 108 hit Manny. On November 19, 2011, after over a year away from the ring, Clottey returned to defeat Calvin Green via TKO in the second round. Since then however, Clottey confirmed that he'd retired from boxing to care for a sick relative.

Comeback On August 23, 2013, Star Boxing announced Clottey's return to boxing as they have signed the former champion to a contract. Clottey returned to the ring on September 14, 2013, when he faced Dashon Johnson. Clottey defeated Johnson via unanimous decision. On April 9, 2014, Clottey went on to beat former middleweight champion Anthony Mundine, dropping Mundine five times. Clottey was in line to fight Canelo Alvarez in December 2014, but Canelo had to pull out due to an ankle injury. On December 19, 2015, Clottey faced Gabriel Rosado at a 158-lb catchweight. Despite having success and leading early in the fight, Clottey was outworked over ten rounds. He lost via unanimous decision. Clottey clarified in February 2018 that he has yet to retire in boxing. The most recent fight in which he won was against opponent Azziz Mponda from Tanzania. Clottey won by TKO in round 8.BoxingGhana. BoxingGhana.com (2019-08-31). Retrieved on 2019-11-27.

Fighting style Clottey has a balanced combination of size, speed, stamina, power, endurance, ring savvy, and a solid chin. In addition, he is a puncher with effective countering ability. He stands upright while holding his arms and gloves high to protect himself, which is similar to Winky Wright's defensive stance.Manny Pacquiao-Joshua Clottey fight packed star power, fans into Cowboys Stadium – ESPN Dallas. Sports.espn.go.com (2010-03-15). Retrieved on 2012-02-29. As a result of his prowess and ability to absorb a punch, he has never lost a bout via knockout.

Personal life Born in Accra, Ghana, Clottey now lives in The Bronx, New York.

Professional boxing record

ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes47WinAziiz MpomdaTKO9 (10)22 Sep 201946Win40–5 Mfaume MfaumeTKO6 (10)8 Mar 201945Loss39–5 Gabriel RosadoUD1019 Dec 201544Win39–4 Jorge SilvaUD109 May 201543Win38–4 Anthony MundineUD129 Apr 201442Win37–4 Dashon JohnsonUD1014 Sep 201341Win36–4 Calvin GreenTKO2 (8), 19 Nov 201140Loss35–4 Manny PacquiaoUD1213 Mar 201039Loss35–3 Miguel Cotto1213 Jun 200938Win35–2 Zab Judah9 (12), 2 Aug 200837Win34–2 José Luis CruzTKO5 (10), 3 Apr 200836Win33–2 Shamone AlvarezUD1220 Dec 200735Win32–2 Felix FloresUD109 Aug 200734Win31–2 Diego CorralesUD107 Apr 200733Loss30–2 Antonio MargaritoUD122 Dec 200632Win30–1 Richard Gutierrez1229 Jul 200631Win29–1 Marcos PrimeraUD103 Dec 200530Win28–1 Marlon ThomasUD1021 Oct 20052927–1 Steve MartinezNC2 (10)18 Feb 200528Win27–1Christopher HenryTKO5 (10), 24 Jul 200427Win26–1Christian Lloyd JosephUD106 Jun 200426Win25–1Jeffrey HillRTD6 (8), 21 Nov 200325Win24–1Ayitey Powers106 Dec 200224Win23–1Siki BengeTKO2 (10)30 Nov 200123Win22–1Didier MebaraTKO3 (8)8 Sep 200122Win21–1Ike ObiTKO10 (12)27 Apr 200121Loss20–1Carlos Baldomir12 (12), 29 Nov 199920Win20–0Viktor BaranovTKO6 (8), 19 Oct 199919Win19–0Ali Mohammed1 (10)1 May 199918Win18–0Dennis Berry3 (6), 23 May 199817Win17–0Ike ObiPTS811 Nov 199716Win16–0Cam RaesideTKO2 (8), 30 Aug 199715Win15–0Mark RamseyPTS825 Mar 199714Win14–0Abbas De SouzaTKO2 (10)28 Dec 199613Win13–0Karl TaylorTKO2 (8)7 Oct 199612Win12–0Dick DossehTKO6 (10)3 Aug 199611Win11–0Marciano CommeyPTS1222 Dec 199510Win10–0Friday Steve EgwatuTKO2 (10)17 Nov 19959Win9–0Ran CocoTKO3 (8)25 Oct 19958Win8–0Sam AkromahPTS825 Aug 19957Win7–0David DukeTKO114 Jul 19956Win6–0Friday Steve EgwatuTKO530 Jun 19955Win5–0Nazah AyetoeTKO53 Jun 19954Win4–0Jomo JacksonTKO127 May 19953Win3–0Smart AbbeyTKO429 Apr 19952Win2–0Joseph Ayinakwa214 Apr 19951Win1–0Samuel Lotsu631 Mar 1995

Pay-per-view bouts +No.DateFightBillingBuysNetworkRevenue1March 13, 2010Clottey vs. PacquiaoThe Event700,000HBO$35,300,000

References

External links