Joshua Clottey Calls Out Antonio Margarito
By Michael Woods May 24th, 2006Joshua Clottey wants the man everyone else avoids
DiBella Entertainment’s welterweight Joshua Clottey (28-1, 20 KO’s) is ranked #4 by the WBC, #5 by the WBO, and #7 by the IBF, and has reeled off nine consecutive victories. The boxer from Ghana has now focused his eyes on WBO welterweight champion Antonio Margarito (33-4, 24 KO’s).
“I’m determined to become a world champion,” says Clottey. “I have the skills, work ethic and heart to be a champion. I’ve dealt with many hardships throughout my career and getting a shot at Margarito and the title would make it all worth it. This is what I have been working toward my whole life. I have a lot of respect for Antonio Margarito as a champion. I know he always wants to fight the best. I am the best welterweight contender in the world. Margarito may want to fight an easier fight right now, but if Antonio wants to stay at welterweight, he can run, but he can’t hide.”
The lone blemish on Clottey’s record came back on November 29,1999 when he was disqualified for landing an 11th round low blow against current WBC welterweight champion Carlos Baldomir. Despite dominating the bout, the disqualification occurred without Clottey receiving any previous warning.
Although six years have passed, the sour taste of the loss still lingers for Clottey and remains a source of motivation to this day. “Since his loss to Baldomir, Joshua has come back with a vengeance,” said Lou DiBella, president of DiBella Entertainment. “Joshua has paid his dues and is deserving of a world title shot. A fight between two true warriors such as Margarito and Joshua would make a great fight.”
(Email news tips to Michael Woods at Fightwrite@gmail.com)
May 24th, 2006 at 5:29 pm
Clottey sounds like the part - would like to see Margaritto in a competitive fight.
May 24th, 2006 at 6:40 pm
O’ Neil Bell Cruserweight Champion Calls Out James Lights Out Toney. If Toney Is Smart he should take the fight. He wants Belts, Come and challenge Supernova for the belts. O’ Neil will beat him bad.
May 24th, 2006 at 10:29 pm
Seems like Clottey would want to avenge hus fight with Baldomir. Margarito seems like it would be tougher contest.
May 25th, 2006 at 11:45 am
I’ve seen Clottey fight a number of times, he is a credible opponent for Margarito. This fight would be a great test for both fighters. Margarito should prove himself against a worthy opponent like this before he goes making ridiculous claims that he should be in line to fight De La Hoya, or the absurd claim that the best pound for pound fighter since a prime Roy Jones… Pretty Boy Floyd Mayweather is ducking him. Fight some decent opposition like Clottey or Corley, or the once “Super” Zab Judah, or the man who beat him, the slower than s**t Carlos Baldomir, or even someone like Sharmba Mitchell before you come out and say the fastest, smartest, and most technically sound fighter in the world is ducking you. Fight somebody credible, make a name for yourself, and maybe some people besides the ones in your country will think that you deserve a shot at the Pretty Boy. No disrespect to Margarito, but you have got to prove that you are worthy to fight for the greatest title in the world… the pound for pound crown.
May 30th, 2006 at 9:15 am
There’s no denying that Margarito is a bad hombre especially after what he did to Kermit Cintron. Some people say that KC hadn’t been tested properly and was overhyped when Antonio got to him, but the same can be said of Jeff Lacy and no-one can deny Joe Calzaghe his moment in the sun. The Pretty One avoids Margarito because of finanical considerations more than fear of facing him. Clottey would be a good stepping stone toward Margarito get the recognition he needs to secure a mega-fight with the gifted one, who is the only Welterweight out there that I feel can defeat Antonio.
June 7th, 2006 at 5:04 pm
The truth is that Margarito and every fighter wants money and big fights why should margarito fight guys he has always fought why settle for clottey and paul williams when your calling out the suppose best mayweather. Lets get something clear Margarito doesnt duck or hide from anybody that should be easy to spot like common sense but thats hard to come by now days. Floyd is ducking Margarito and nobody can deny that he says hes common fighter u would think floyd would pick up 8 million common dollars easy before a 20 million day with de la hoya. how much would a clotty or williams bout bring and there not on anybodys top list there are alot of Margarito haters out there and not just the fans of boxing the fighters too. I notice how every fighter says they respect Margarito u haters should too for he truley is The Most Feared Man in boxing today.
September 27th, 2006 at 6:02 pm
Let’s get this right once and for all. Margarito is the king at 147 without a doubt. For all those who say Margarito should prove himself.. Who better to do it with than with Mayweather. Mayweather always claimed that if the money was right, he would fight anyone. I guess that meant anyone but Margarito, because Mayweathers highest payday has been 5 million. He was offered 8 million to fight Margarito, almost twice the amount of his highest payday. Again it didn’t make sense because it was against Margarito. If Mayweather did not fear Margarito and really thought he was the best pound 4 pound, he would have taken the money and ran with it. Again, what possible excuse could he come out with now.. Oh yeah, he is fighting Carlos Baldomir who fought Judah, an undisciplined fighter and Gotti a shot fighter. Baldomir didn’t even exist until he beat Judah and was a huge underdog in that fight. I guess that Mayweather taking the best competition out there because he is the best pound 4 pound, making much less than the 8 million. Margarito has been the 147 king since he won the title, not Mayweather or anyone else out there. Lets talk a little about a fight between Mayweather and Margarito. Margarito has the reach advantage, much more powerful, a great chin and a bigger heart. I can see Mayweather running twice as fast as he did against the first fight with Jose Luis Castillo. I think it would be a pretty boring fight actually; I think Mayweather would just go in there and run, praying he would get the decision like he did against Castillo because of his name.
October 7th, 2006 at 1:08 pm
I think that clottey should just ask kermit cintron how good Margarito before calling Margarito out. There is a reason Mayweather didnt want to fight him.
October 13th, 2006 at 11:36 am
As fas as for Mayweather being called the best pound for pound in the world, i think people are being a little rediculous. I mean, if Mayweather is called the king, why not make an example out of Margarito?, and on top of that earn $8 million dollars? I mean $8 million dollars never hurt anyone, right? So, please Mayweather, and Mayweather fans dont try to make this a money issue, because in fact if he were to fight Margarito he would get $8 million. Then on top, Margarito would get more public recognition (because of Mayweather’s popularity)and they could even make more money with the rematch! so, we all know why Mayweather is Ducking Margarito… it’s all just an issue of not wanting to face the truth. Which is, Mayweather does not hold the crown, Margarito does. Mayweather has is just a paper champion.
October 24th, 2006 at 9:52 pm
what we should really be asking, is what would be next for the fighter that wins the fight. for example if mayweather win’s , you think de la hoya would say to pretty boy to fight margarito before the big pay, same goes for margarito beat clottey first. then mayweather and margarito should be in the line up for the de la hoya pay day. what do you think about that pretty fan’s. as for me i don’t like the weather already because i see a tornado (margarito) going straight for pretty boy’s plan’s.
October 26th, 2006 at 11:48 pm
i agree that mayweather is the best pound for pound fighter in the world today. when u compare opposition he has fought compared to who margarito has there is no competetion. I do feel that mayweather is ducking him, not out of fear but money, which is a lame excuse. however, i feel if the two fighters win their next fights then let them fight it out for the big pay day against De La Hoya. If mayweather doesn’t agree to it, then it will prove that fear is the answer!!!!!!!!!!!
October 27th, 2006 at 7:41 pm
i agree margarito is the best pound for pound fighter and should deserve to fight de la hoya to knock his old a** out too
November 6th, 2006 at 11:26 am
Let’s get something straight, all those people that are saying that gayweather is the best p4p boxer in the world don’t no anything about boxing! Gayweather has been ducking MARGARITO we all not that, he is the twin of roy jones jr. picking fighters that he knows he will beat. Gayweather hasn’t fought anybody, he needs to step up and fight a true warrior like MARGARITO.
November 6th, 2006 at 4:04 pm
Mayweather keeps saying he is the best fighter and is willing to fight the best. Well then fight Margarito. Margarito and Mayweather are the two top welterweights in the world so why not fight eachother. This would be a great fight but like everyone knows Mayweather is afraid of Margarito. Mayweather is just like a college football team that dials up wins. He picks fighters that he knows he can beat. But because he knows Margarito would is not just any fighter he scared to fight him. If Margarito and Mayweather were to fight Margarito would tax that you know what of Mayweather.
November 9th, 2006 at 9:34 am
I been watching margarito fights and he starts off slow but picks up the pace around the 3rd round but to me margarito should have picked a different opponent cause i see a upset.Nobody is really giving clottey a chance and just remember clottey can fight,good boxing skills,decent speed and very good stamina.I might be wrong but here’s my prediction
Joshua clottley 10th round tko.
November 11th, 2006 at 12:45 am
I think that Margarito is one of the best out there.
November 28th, 2006 at 9:41 pm
MARGARITO IS TO STRONG FOR CLOTTLEY… REMEMBER MARGARITO PICKS IT UP IN THE LATE ROUNDS…