Cotto vs Margarito II: Joshua Clottey Wants Rematch With the Winner
by Scott Christ on Nov 23, 2011 8:30 AM EST
in Boxing News Analysis
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PrintA lot of fighters in or around the 154-pound division are going to want a shot at the man who comes out victorious between Miguel Cotto and Antonio Margarito when those two rematch on December 3. And Joshua Clottey, who has fought both in the past and made his ring return on November 19 in Houston, wants his hat thrown in. From Ryan Burton:
"I hurt my hand in the Margarito fight. A lot of people thought that I beat Cotto. That was a close fight. I would like the chance to fight either of those guys again," Clottey told Boxingscene.com.
Clottey (36-4, 21 KO) did give a fine accounting of himself against Cotto in 2009, and against Margarito in 2007. The biggest problem going forward that Joshua Clottey is going to face is that he has the reputation -- which may or may not still be true, we'll find out -- of overvaluing himself. Particularly in this world of ours where Clottey laid an egg on pay-per-view against Manny Pacquiao in March 2010, Clottey just isn't a fighter that networks are dying to put on TV. He's good, but he's not exciting, he's not popular, and he has no impact on TV ratings.
In his comeback fight against Calvin Green last Saturday night, he was aggressive, took charge of the fight, and stopped an overmatched foe in two. Fighting just over 154 pounds, Clottey looked in good shape, and at 34, he hasn't taken a whole lot of damage over his career. He could be a contender once more, but he might have to prove himself all over again.
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I for one think clottey could be an interesting fighter if he just let his hands go a little more
I think he has a good frame for 154. He looked very big at 147.
We shouldnt judge him on the Pacquiao fight, poor guy just got stage fright.
He did just about beat Cotto at the Garden
And he was fighting and beating the then feared Margarito before his hands started to become an issue. To his credit, he withstood Margarito’s volume finish, lost the fight and lamented, not complained, that his hand would not allow him to do what he did the first four rounds, which was to thoroughly dominate Margarito.
BTW, even without good hands, he never once suggested that he was being hit with anything unusual.
"Silence is golden when you can't think of a good answer"
---- Muhammed Ali
I’m not sure what he has to “prove” exactly since many (including myself) felt he beat Cotto pretty soundly the last time he fought him.
“many felt he beat Cotto pretty soundly”
Oh yea, not from what I read/saw. Most seemed to think it was very close and Clottey gave it away in the last few rounds.
THIS. I thought Clottey fought very well (and was winning) vs. Cotto but tried to coast to the finish and lost it. I do think he’s talented and wouldn’t mind seeing him against either Margarito or Cotto again. I’m treating the Pac fight as a one-off and will give Clottey the benefit of the doubt unless it happens again (the virtual in-ring no-show lol).
I’m not sure what he has to "prove" exactly
That he “won’t bore the shit out of people again like last time.” It’s not like there’s money in Joshua Clottey. If a network says no to televising him against one of them, what’s Top Rank going to do? Take him to pay-per-view?
Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."
by Scott Christ on Nov 23, 2011 10:09 AM EST up reply actions
GHANAIAN GRIT: CLOTTEY vs TBA
Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."
by Scott Christ on Nov 23, 2011 10:09 AM EST up reply actions
More creative than THE EVENT and that ridiculous soundbite calling Clottey a “brawler.”
"Occasionally, there is a boxing match that, in its demonstration of skill, courage, intelligence, hope, seems to redeem the sport - almost. Perhaps boxing has always been a sport in crisis, a sport of crisis."
by Oli Goldstein on Nov 23, 2011 10:25 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
He made his bed with that non-performance in Dallas
He was a certifiable contender capable of fighting anyone in his division and competing if not beating them. Then he turtled up under the pressure of the big fight.
It is not the networks that have a problem with Clottey as much as his promoters. The last time they gave him the big stage Dallas (although the previous time was at the Garden on PR Day vs Cotto), he fucked up.
He needs to show everyone he is back…and fan friendlier than before. That said, he has a terrific uppercut and can be a brutal counterpuncher; great skills but not necessarily fan friendly.
So for the GrandMaster, it’s one step at a time. One perfomance at a time.
"Silence is golden when you can't think of a good answer"
---- Muhammed Ali
Maybe Clottey can beat someone in the top 25 before we go around talking about him fighting Cotto. If they’re gonna keep him in house fighting Top Rank (and of course they’re going to), there’s plenty of potential fights for the guy to show that he isn’t just trying to get a final payday. Have him go fight Vanes. Hell, have him fight Yuri Foreman or Alfonso Gomez. That’s more than he’s done in the last 2 years.
I’d really like to see the Vanes fight, actually.
Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."
by Scott Christ on Nov 23, 2011 11:36 AM EST up reply actions
I appreciate the logic, but what exactly had Mayorga or Margarito done in the last two years to get a fight with Cotto?
Mayorga and Margarito sell
Clottey…not so much.
"Silence is golden when you can't think of a good answer"
---- Muhammed Ali
His point was about in-ring merits though, not drawing power. And I doubt 2011 Mayorga is that much more of a draw than Clottey anyway. There’s a reason he only got $50,000 for that fight.
Mayorga gave Cotto 12 rounds of fun to watch action…and he sells himself well. In fact, he is trying today to get himself into the mix with Mayweather.
He can lose every fight but he makes people watch.
Clottey had about five Ghanan supporters at the Garden the night he should have beat Cotto so he is not a marketers dream. But he was deserving of a big match for his efforts. Thus Dallas. Now, it is up to him to kep performing if he wants to get back into the ring with either Cotto and/or Margarito.
Personally, I thnk he’s a much better fighter thatn his current rap. if he lets his hands go, he can be outright tough for anyone.
"Silence is golden when you can't think of a good answer"
---- Muhammed Ali
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