Boxing News of Friday, 25 November 2016

Source: peacefmonline.com

I lost an opportunity in fight against Pacquiao - Joshua Clottey

The bout beween Clottey and Pacquiao The bout beween Clottey and Pacquiao

Former IBF welterweight world champion, Jousha Clottey has said he has not retired and still have a lot in him as a boxer.

The Bukum born boxer is hopeful he will land a world title next year and that his promoters are working around the clock to finalize all the arrangement.

“I am still in boxing, I have not retired yet. But I love to rest a lot these days at my age . . . I still have a lot in me to offer . . . I'm not getting younger anymore but I believe am fit to continue to fight," he said.

"My manager is working to get me a world title fight."

According to him he was supposed to fight between November and Decemebr but there has been some rules changes at the New York Boxing Commission that states you must give about $1million to a boxer you promote as insurance and that has blocked his chances too.

“ . . I feel good in the gym, I feel normal when am sparing so I feel that I can still continue to fight,” he added.

The hard hitting puncher announced his return to boxing in 2013, saying he had been inactive because of managerial problems when he faced Dashon Johnson in September 2014.
Clottey made easy work of Johnson, winning a dominant and wide unanimous decision.

He went on to beat former middleweight champion, Anthony Mundine, dropping him five times.

Joshua Clottey was in line to fight Saul Canelo Alvarez later that year, but the fight never materialized, partially due to an injury to Canelo’s ankle.

“When the time comes, I will do every thing to prove Ghanaians wrong that I still have a lot in me,” he stressed.

He disclosed to Peacefmonline.com that he lost a great opportunity when he fought eight-division world champion, Manny Pacquiao, but believes his Managers are working to get another chance at the world title again.

“It really hurt me a lot when I remember that fight . . . "

“Life is always like that, its up and down but I believe the Almighty will make me pass through,” he stated.

He disclosed that other sports men always protect themselves with “Juju” but he does it with the strength God given him.

“Some sportsmen use juju but me I use my strength and whatsoever that happens to me I give thanks to God,” he told Romeo Oduro.

He added that he was supposed to have ended his career at his current age if he had taken all his best opportunities that came his way.

“I believe this is the time that am supposed to have ended my boxing career, because when I was active in the ring, I fought some great fights . . . the Manny Pacquiao fight is really a setback in my life and I give God the thanks,” he said adding that the best is yet to come.