04.06.08 – by James Slater, photo by Tom Casino – 31-year-old Joshua Clottey gets his second chance to become a world champion on August 2nd. Facing Zab Judah for Antonio Margarito’s vacated IBF welterweight title, Clottey feels now is the time for him to finally become a champion.
I called Joshua on the phone at the end of May, and his brother informed me he was playing soccer (another of Clottey’s passions) in his garden. A few minutes later I called back and the New York native who was born in Accra, Ghana was happy to speak about his upcoming fight.
The interview was short, but here is what Clottey had to say..
James Slater: Congratulations on the great news in getting the Zab Judah fight.
Joshua Clottey: Oh, yes. This is my time to become a world champion now. I always knew I’d be a world champion. I have seen Judah fight on T.V. I think he’s a good fighter, you must be careful in the first 4 rounds, but after I get past 4 rounds I will get to him. I think he has a bad chin. I’m not going to predict a KO, but I feel my pressure will get to him and I will beat him.
J.S: When will you start training for the fight?
J.C: I’m in shape already. I always train. I love to train. Obviously, I will go all the way (push himself) for this fight and I will definitely be going to the Pocono mountains to get ready for this fight . I will be getting top-class southpaw sparring. I have fought southpaws before and I know all about [fighting] them, so that doesn’t really concern me, Judah being a southpaw.
J.S: What will it mean for you to finally become a world champion?
J.C: Like I say, I always knew I’d be a world champion. I will become champion on August 2nd, and then I want to unify the titles. After that I will make maybe four defences and then I want to be a soccer player. I want to play for Manchester United.
J.S: I know football is another of your passions, but before you are through with boxing do you want a rematch with Antonio Margarito?
J.C: I definitely want another fight with Margarito. I would love to fight him again. But I don’t know if he can beat Miguel Cotto. I think his fight with Cotto will be a very tough war-type fight. I can’t say right now who will win, but I give Cotto a slight edge. I think he can maybe edge the fight.
J.S: Can you still make 147 pounds easily enough?
J.C: Yes, because I train a lot. Whatever I need to do to make weight, I will do. It’s not easy [making 147] but I can do it because I love to train all the time.
J.S: Do you have a final prediction for the Judah fight?
J.C: No, I have no prediction right now – other than that I will win.