# Joshua Clottey

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. 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. The most recent fight in which he won was against opponent Azziz Mponda from Tanzania. Clottey won by TKO in round 8.

## 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.

## Personal life

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

## Professional boxing record

| 47 fights | 41 wins | 5 losses |
| By knockout | 24 | 0 |
| By decision | 17 | 4 |
| By disqualification | 0 | 1 |
| No contests | 1 | 1 |
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
| 47 | Win | 41–5 (1) | Aziiz Mpomda | TKO | 9 (10) | 22 Sep 2019 | Odwira Akropong, Ghana | |
| 46 | Win | 40–5 (1) | Mfaume Mfaume | TKO | 6 (10) | 8 Mar 2019 | Bukom Boxing Arena, Accra, Ghana | |
| 45 | Loss | 39–5 (1) | Gabriel Rosado | UD | 10 | 19 Dec 2015 | Turning Stone Resort Casino, Verona, New York, U.S. | |
| 44 | Win | 39–4 (1) | Jorge Silva | UD | 10 | 9 May 2015 | Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas, US | |
| 43 | Win | 38–4 (1) | Anthony Mundine | UD | 12 | 9 Apr 2014 | Entertainment Centre, Newcastle, Australia | Won WBA International super welterweight title |
| 42 | Win | 37–4 (1) | Dashon Johnson | UD | 10 | 14 Sep 2013 | The Paramount, Huntington, New York, US | |
| 41 | Win | 36–4 (1) | Calvin Green | TKO | 2 (8), 1:56 | 19 Nov 2011 | Reliant Arena, Houston, Texas, US | |
| 40 | Loss | 35–4 (1) | Manny Pacquiao | UD | 12 | 13 Mar 2010 | Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, Texas, US | For WBO welterweight title |
| 39 | Loss | 35–3 (1) | Miguel Cotto | SD | 12 | 13 Jun 2009 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US | For WBO welterweight title |
| 38 | Win | 35–2 (1) | Zab Judah | TD | 9 (12), 1:12 | 2 Aug 2008 | Pearl Concert Theater, Paradise, Nevada, US | Won vacant IBF welterweight title; Unanimous TD: Judah cut from an accidental head clash |
| 37 | Win | 34–2 (1) | José Luis Cruz | TKO | 5 (10), 2:48 | 3 Apr 2008 | Aviator Sports & Events Center, New York City, New York, US | |
| 36 | Win | 33–2 (1) | Shamone Alvarez | UD | 12 | 20 Dec 2007 | The Joint, Paradise, Nevada, US | |
| 35 | Win | 32–2 (1) | Felix Flores | UD | 10 | 9 Aug 2007 | The Joint, Paradise, Nevada, US | |
| 34 | Win | 31–2 (1) | Diego Corrales | UD | 10 | 7 Apr 2007 | Abou Ben Adhem Shrine Mosque, Springfield, Missouri, US | |
| 33 | Loss | 30–2 (1) | Antonio Margarito | UD | 12 | 2 Dec 2006 | Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US | For WBO welterweight title |
| 32 | Win | 30–1 (1) | Richard Gutierrez | MD | 12 | 29 Jul 2006 | Chumash Casino Resort, Santa Ynez, California, US | Won IBF Inter-Continental welterweight title |
| 31 | Win | 29–1 (1) | Marcos Primera | UD | 10 | 3 Dec 2005 | Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, US | Won vacant WBC Continental Americas interim super welterweight title |
| 30 | Win | 28–1 (1) | Marlon Thomas | UD | 10 | 21 Oct 2005 | Turning Stone Resort Casino, Verona, New York, US | |
| 29 | NC | 27–1 (1) | Steve Martinez | NC | 2 (10) | 18 Feb 2005 | Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US | Martinez cut from an accidental head clash |
| 28 | Win | 27–1 | Christopher Henry | TKO | 5 (10), 1:16 | 24 Jul 2004 | Flamingo, Laughlin, Nevada, US | |
| 27 | Win | 26–1 | Christian Lloyd Joseph | UD | 10 | 6 Jun 2004 | Mid-Hudson Civic Center, Poughkeepsie, New York, US | |
| 26 | Win | 25–1 | Jeffrey Hill | RTD | 6 (8), 3:00 | 21 Nov 2003 | Crowne Plaza Hotel, New York City, New York, US | |
| 25 | Win | 24–1 | Ayitey Powers | UD | 10 | 6 Dec 2002 | Globe Cinema, Accra, Ghana | |
| 24 | Win | 23–1 | Siki Benge | TKO | 2 (10) | 30 Nov 2001 | Kaneshie Sports Complex, Accra, Ghana | |
| 23 | Win | 22–1 | Didier Mebara | TKO | 3 (8) | 8 Sep 2001 | Kaneshie Sports Complex, Accra, Ghana | |
| 22 | Win | 21–1 | Ike Obi | TKO | 10 (12) | 27 Apr 2001 | Kaneshie Sports Complex, Accra, Ghana | Won vacant African welterweight title |
| 21 | Loss | 20–1 | Carlos Baldomir | DQ | 12 (12), 2:30 | 29 Nov 1999 | Wembley Arena, London, England | For WBC International and vacant IBC welterweight titles; Clottey disqualified for repeated headbutts |
| 20 | Win | 20–0 | Viktor Baranov | TKO | 6 (8), 0:44 | 19 Oct 1999 | York Hall, London, England | |
| 19 | Win | 19–0 | Ali Mohammed | KO | 1 (10) | 1 May 1999 | Accra, Ghana | |
| 18 | Win | 18–0 | Dennis Berry | RTD | 3 (6), 3:00 | 23 May 1998 | York Hall, London, England | |
| 17 | Win | 17–0 | Ike Obi | PTS | 8 | 11 Nov 1997 | Sports Stadium, Accra, Ghana | |
| 16 | Win | 16–0 | Cam Raeside | TKO | 2 (8), 1:13 | 30 Aug 1997 | Grundy Park Leisure Centre, Cheshunt, England | |
| 15 | Win | 15–0 | Mark Ramsey | PTS | 8 | 25 Mar 1997 | Lewisham Theatre, London, England | |
| 14 | Win | 14–0 | Abbas De Souza | TKO | 2 (10) | 28 Dec 1996 | Accra, Ghana | |
| 13 | Win | 13–0 | Karl Taylor | TKO | 2 (8) | 7 Oct 1996 | Lewisham Theatre, London, England | |
| 12 | Win | 12–0 | Dick Dosseh | TKO | 6 (10) | 3 Aug 1996 | Accra, Ghana | |
| 11 | Win | 11–0 | Marciano Commey | PTS | 12 | 22 Dec 1995 | Kaneshie Sports Complex, Accra, Ghana | Won vacant Ghanaian light welterweight title |
| 10 | Win | 10–0 | Friday Steve Egwatu | TKO | 2 (10) | 17 Nov 1995 | Abidjan, Ivory Coast | |
| 9 | Win | 9–0 | Ran Coco | TKO | 3 (8) | 25 Oct 1995 | Accra, Ghana | |
| 8 | Win | 8–0 | Sam Akromah | PTS | 8 | 25 Aug 1995 | Accra, Ghana | |
| 7 | Win | 7–0 | David Duke | TKO | 1 | 14 Jul 1995 | Togo | |
| 6 | Win | 6–0 | Friday Steve Egwatu | TKO | 5 | 30 Jun 1995 | Accra, Ghana | |
| 5 | Win | 5–0 | Nazah Ayetoe | TKO | 5 | 3 Jun 1995 | Benin | |
| 4 | Win | 4–0 | Jomo Jackson | TKO | 1 | 27 May 1995 | Accra, Ghana | |
| 3 | Win | 3–0 | Smart Abbey | TKO | 4 | 29 Apr 1995 | Accra, Ghana | |
| 2 | Win | 2–0 | Joseph Ayinakwa | TKO | 2 | 14 Apr 1995 | Benin | |
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Samuel Lotsu | PTS | 6 | 31 Mar 1995 | Accra, Ghana | |

## Pay-per-view bouts

| No. | Date | Fight | Billing | Buys | Network | Revenue |
| 1 | March 13, 2010 | Clottey vs. Pacquiao | The Event | 700,000 | HBO | $35,300,000 |