Joshua Clottey facts for kids

Joshua Clottey (born October 6, 1977) is a former professional boxer from Ghana. He competed from 1995 to 2019. He was the IBF welterweight champion from 2008 to 2009. As a young boxer, he took part in the 1994 Commonwealth Games. Joshua Clottey was known for his very strong "chin," meaning he was tough and hard to knock out. He was never stopped by a knockout in any of his five losses.

Early Life and Beginnings

As a child in his home country of Ghana, Joshua Clottey loved playing football, just like his father. Later, Clottey moved and lived for a few years in the United Kingdom. After that, he moved to the United States.

Boxing Career Highlights

Rising Through the Welterweight Ranks

Clottey became well-known by winning his first twenty fights. Fourteen of these wins were by knockout. This success led him to fight Carlos Baldomir for a boxing title. Clottey was doing well in the fight. However, in the 10th round, he lost two points for accidentally head-butting his opponent. After another head clash, Clottey was disqualified from the fight.

After this loss, Clottey bounced back quickly. He won the African Boxing Union welterweight title in his very next fight. He then went on a winning streak of 10 fights. During this time, he got his first win in America. He also won several smaller welterweight and middleweight titles. This winning streak ended with him winning the IBF Inter-Continental welterweight title.

On December 2, 2006, Clottey got his first chance to fight for a world title. He faced World Boxing Organization champion Antonio Margarito. Clottey broke his hand in the fourth round of this fight. Later, some people questioned the fairness of that fight. On April 7, 2007, Clottey won a unanimous decision against Diego Corrales. This was Corrales's last fight before he passed away. In December 2007, Clottey won another fight, which set him up for another title shot. He beat Zab Judah on August 2, 2008, to win the IBF welterweight title. This title had been left empty by Antonio Margarito.

Big Fights: Cotto and Pacquiao

On June 13, 2009, Clottey fought Miguel Cotto in New York City. The fight was at Madison Square Garden for the WBO welterweight title. Cotto knocked Clottey down in the first round with a quick jab. Cotto got a cut in the third round from an accidental head clash. Clottey's powerful punch combinations caused problems for Cotto throughout the fight. In the end, Cotto won with a close split decision.

Clottey then fought Manny Pacquiao on March 13, 2010. Pacquiao was a huge champion, having won titles in seven different weight classes. The fight took place in Arlington, Texas, at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium. This fight happened after a planned match between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. didn't work out. Clottey lost to Pacquiao by a unanimous decision. Pacquiao threw many punches in the fight, while Clottey threw fewer but was still tough.

After this, Clottey took a break from boxing for over a year. On November 19, 2011, he returned to the ring. He defeated Calvin Green by TKO in the second round. Later, Clottey said he had retired from boxing to take care of a sick family member.

The Comeback Trail

On August 23, 2013, it was announced that Clottey would return to boxing. He signed a new contract. Clottey's first fight back was on September 14, 2013, against Dashon Johnson. Clottey won this fight by unanimous decision. On April 9, 2014, Clottey went on to beat former middleweight champion Anthony Mundine. Clottey knocked Mundine down five times in that fight.

Clottey was supposed to fight Canelo Alvarez in December 2014. However, Canelo had to pull out because of an ankle injury. On December 19, 2015, Clottey fought Gabriel Rosado. Clottey started well and had success early in the fight. But he was outworked over ten rounds and lost by unanimous decision. In February 2018, Clottey said he had not yet retired from boxing. His most recent win was against Azziz Mponda from Tanzania. Clottey won that fight by TKO in round 8.

Fighting Style

Joshua Clottey is known as a tough boxer who fights in the orthodox stance (meaning he leads with his left hand and left foot). He has a good mix of size, speed, and power. He also has great endurance and is smart in the ring. One of his most famous qualities is his "solid chin," which means he can take a lot of punches without getting knocked down.

Clottey is also very accurate with his punches. He is good at countering his opponents' moves. His defensive skills are excellent. He stands upright and keeps his arms and gloves held high to protect himself. This style is similar to how boxer Winky Wright defends himself. Because he is so good at defense and can absorb punches, he has never lost a fight by knockout.

Personal Life

Joshua Clottey was born in Accra, Ghana. Today, he lives in The Bronx, New York, in the United States.

Professional Boxing Record Summary

See also

In Spanish: Joshua Clottey para niños