Joshua Clottey


Joshua Clottey is a Ghanaian former professional boxer who competed from 1995 to 2019, and held the IBF welterweight title from 2008 to 2009. Born in Accra, Ghana, Clottey now lives in The Bronx, New York. At the peak of his career, he was notable for his exceptionally durable chin, and was never stopped in any of his five losses. his recent fight which he won was with opponent Azziz Mponda from Tanzania. Clottey won by tko in round 8.

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 that Margarito had boxed opponents with hand wraps illegally loaded with plaster. On April 7, 2007, 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. 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.

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.

Fighting style

A tough, orthodox fighter, Clottey has a balanced combination of size, speed, stamina, power, endurance, ring savvy, and a solid chin. In addition, he is an accurate, efficient puncher with effective countering ability. His defensive skills are top notch; he stands upright while holding his arms and gloves high to protect himself, which is similar to Winky Wright's defensive stance. As a result of his defensive prowess and ability to absorb a punch, he has never lost a bout via knockout.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
47Win41–5 Aziiz MpomdaTKO8 22 Sep 2019 Odwira Akropong, Ghana
46Win40–5 Mfaume MfaumeTKO6 8 Mar 2019Bukom Boxing Arena, Accra, Ghana
45Loss39–5 Gabriel RosadoUD1019 Dec 2015Turning Stone Resort Casino, Verona, New York, U.S.
44Win39–4 Jorge SilvaUD109 May 2015Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas, US
43Win38–4 Anthony MundineUD129 Apr 2014Entertainment Centre, Newcastle, AustraliaWon WBA International super welterweight title
42Win37–4 Dashon JohnsonUD1014 Sep 2013The Paramount, Huntington, New York, US
41Win36–4 Calvin GreenTKO2, 1:5619 Nov 2011Reliant Arena, Houston, Texas, US
40Loss35–4 Manny PacquiaoUD1213 Mar 2010Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, Texas, USFor WBO welterweight title
39Loss35–3 Miguel Cotto1213 Jun 2009Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, USFor WBO welterweight title
38Win35–2 Zab Judah9, 1:122 Aug 2008Pearl Concert Theater, Paradise, Nevada, USWon vacant IBF welterweight title;
Unanimous TD after Judah was cut from an accidental head clash
37Win34–2 José Luis CruzTKO5, 2:483 Apr 2008Aviator Sports & Events Center, New York City, New York, US
36Win33–2 Shamone AlvarezUD1220 Dec 2007The Joint, Paradise, Nevada, US
35Win32–2 Felix FloresUD109 Aug 2007The Joint, Paradise, Nevada, US
34Win31–2 Diego CorralesUD107 Apr 2007Abou Ben Adhem Shrine Mosque, Springfield, Missouri, US
33Loss30–2 Antonio MargaritoUD122 Dec 2006Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USFor WBO welterweight title
32Win30–1 Richard Gutierrez1229 Jul 2006Chumash Casino Resort, Santa Ynez, California, USWon IBF Inter-Continental welterweight title
31Win29–1 Marcos PrimeraUD103 Dec 2005Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, USWon vacant WBC Continental Americas interim super welterweight title
30Win28–1 Marlon ThomasUD1021 Oct 2005Turning Stone Resort Casino, Verona, New York, US
2927–1 Steve MartinezNC2 18 Feb 2005Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USNC after Martinez was cut from an accidental head clash
28Win27–1Christopher HenryTKO5, 1:1624 Jul 2004Flamingo, Laughlin, Nevada, US
27Win26–1Christian Lloyd JosephUD106 Jun 2004Mid-Hudson Civic Center, Poughkeepsie, New York, US
26Win25–1Jeffrey HillRTD6, 3:0021 Nov 2003Crowne Plaza Hotel, New York City, New York, US
25Win24–1Ayitey Powers106 Dec 2002Globe Cinema, Accra, Ghana
24Win23–1Siki BengeTKO2 30 Nov 2001Kaneshie Sports Complex, Accra, Ghana
23Win22–1Didier MebaraTKO3 8 Sep 2001Kaneshie Sports Complex, Accra, Ghana
22Win21–1Ike ObiTKO10 27 Apr 2001Kaneshie Sports Complex, Accra, GhanaWon vacant ABU welterweight title
21Loss20–1Carlos Baldomir11, 2:3029 Nov 1999Wembley Arena, London, EnglandFor WBC International and vacant IBC welterweight titles;
Clottey disqualified for repeated headbutts
20Win20–0Viktor BaranovTKO6, 0:4419 Oct 1999York Hall, London, England
19Win19–0Ali Mohammed1 1 May 1999Accra, Ghana
18Win18–0Dennis Berry3, 3:0023 May 1998York Hall, London, England
17Win17–0Ike ObiPTS811 Nov 1997Sports Stadium, Accra, Ghana
16Win16–0Cam RaesideTKO2, 1:1330 Aug 1997Grundy Park Leisure Centre, Cheshunt, England
15Win15–0Mark RamseyPTS825 Mar 1997Lewisham Theatre, London, England
14Win14–0Abbas De SouzaTKO2 28 Dec 1996Accra, Ghana
13Win13–0Karl TaylorTKO2 7 Oct 1996Lewisham Theatre, London, England
12Win12–0Dick DossehTKO6 3 Aug 1996Accra, Ghana
11Win11–0Marciano CommeyPTS1222 Dec 1995Kaneshie Sports Complex, Accra, GhanaWon vacant Ghanaian light welterweight title
10Win10–0Friday Steve EgwatuTKO2 17 Nov 1995Abidjan, Ivory Coast
9Win9–0Ran CocoTKO3 25 Oct 1995Accra, Ghana
8Win8–0Sam AkromahPTS825 Aug 1995Accra, Ghana
7Win7–0David DukeTKO114 Jul 1995Togo
6Win6–0Friday Steve EgwatuTKO530 Jun 1995Accra, Ghana
5Win5–0Nazah AyetoeTKO53 Jun 1995Benin
4Win4–0Jomo JacksonTKO127 May 1995Accra, Ghana
3Win3–0Smart AbbeyTKO429 Apr 1995Accra, Ghana
2Win2–0Joseph Ayinakwa214 Apr 1995Benin
1Win1–0Samuel Lotsu631 Mar 1995Accra, Ghana