By Ralph Rimpell – On June 13, 2009 at Madison Square Garden in New York city, Puerto Rico’s WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto (33-1, 27 KOs) will defend his title against Ghana’s Joshua Clottey (35-2, 20 KOs) the IBF welterweight champ. Those of us who follow boxing know that the popular Cotto will once again face a legitimate world class fighter who has a very good chance of defeating him on the eve of the Puerto Rican Day Parade in NYC. Could there be a little de ja vue in the air?
Around this time last year Cotto was in preparation for a fight against another dangerous opponent named Antonio Margarito. In that fight, Cotto was winning easily by outboxing the bigger Margarito. It appeared that his supporters were justified for listing Cotto as one of the top fighters in the world until he would eventually be stopped in the 11th round in spectacular fashion by Margarito. Margarito lost his next fight to Shane Mosley and was suspended for illegally wrapping his hands for the Mosley fight. Since than, many have wondered if Margarito had cheated when he defeated Cotto and would Cotto ever be the same fighter after that loss. It appears that Cotto has recovered from the effects of that fight. Cotto rebounded from that loss by defeating the unknown and lightly regarded Michael Jennings for the vacant WBO welterweight title. Who is Joshua Clottey?
This is a fighter other top welterweights in the world are not lining up to fight. Kermit Cintron turned down a fight against him. Shane Mosley, the WBA welterweight champion and the recognized lineal world welterweight champion (147lbs), is more interested in fighting the smaller “Pound for Pound” best fighter in the world Manny Pacquio (1401bs). Clottey is a solid boxer with a very good chin. He lost a close decision to Antonio Margarito back in 2006. It was revealed after the fight that he fought with a broken hand during the fight. He took Magarito’s best shots and still kept coming forward. At times he seemed to confuse and box well against the taller Margarito. His only loss before that was a controversial disqualification to Carlos Baldomir back in 1999 in a fight many say he was clearly wining. His last fight was a win against former champion Zab Judah for the vacant IBF welterweight title. This is a fighter who has been salivating for a “big fight” of this magnitude. So what can we expect on fight night at the sound of the first bell?
Cotto will come out with his hands held up high and will use good foot movement and attempt to give Clottey angles. He will demonstrate good boxing skills by using his jab to try and keep his opponent at bay. Clottey will also use his jab to try and land combinations. He will stalk Cotto much the way a tiger stalks their prey. Cotto will try to assert his authority and attempt to gain Clottey’s respect by trying to land a big punch to disrupt or stop Clottey in his tracks. Cotto’s punches will not faze Clottey and he will continue to use good defense and continue coming forward. Clottey will likely not land with as good accuracy as Cotto early in the fight, but when he does connect it will count. Cotto will win the first three rounds by using good boxing skills, but like the Margarito fight, he will expend much energy to outbox the relentless Clottey and gradually begin to tire. Clottey will slow Cotto down by shots to the body and head. Its possible Clottey will even cut Cotto. By the 8th round the fight momentum will switch to Clottey who will at this time be connecting with more accuracy. A decision win for Clottey is not likely if Cotto can effectively box for the entire twelve rounds. Look for Clottey to take matters into his own hands and stop Cotto in the 9th round in spectacular fashion.
Contact Ralph Rimpell: RLuvsboxing@aol.com