It seems to be a recurring theme in the career of Joshua Clottey, as the former welterweight champion watched Gabriel Rosado snatch victory from the jaws of defeat in their 10-round middleweight bout Saturday evening at Turning Stone Resort & Casino in Verona, New York.

Scores were 97-93 (twice) and 96-94 in favor of Rosado, who picks up his first win in more than three years.

Despite being at a massive size disadvantage, Clottey was not only dictating the pace but landing the more telling blows in the early round.

Brief drama developed when Rosado managed to land a left elbow that caught Clottey above his left eye, but never proved to be a factor.

Working for the first time with former two-time champ-turned-trainer Fernando Vargas, Rosado picked up the pace in the middle rounds.

Not all of the punches were getting through, but his work-rate was enough to force Clottey to go into defensive mode, a fighting tactic that has cost him in previous big fights.

This particular bout - which was fought at a catchweight - wasn't on that level, but served as an unofficial audition for the winner to land a big name in 2016.

Clottey in particular could have punched his way to a potential crack at newly crowned World middleweight king Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez.

Rosado rode out Clottey's offense in the first half, surging to finish strong.

Clottey attempted to turn it around in the 10th and final round even with his career in the balance.

Rosado advances to 22 wins 9 loses with 13KOs, earning his first win since a 10th round stoppage of Charles Whittaker in September 2012.

That bout earned him a crack at unbeaten middleweight titlist Gennady Golovkin, suffering a brutal 7th round knockout loss to kick off a stretch of winless performances in five straight fights.

His luck changed in getting the nod over Clottey, who snaps a four fight win streak in falling to 39 wins 5 loses with 22KOs.

At age 38 and historically a tough out - and even tougher sell - there appears little hope in the Ghana-born boxer returning to the limelight.