After Pacquiao, What Now For Clottey?

After a very disappointing performance last Saturday, former welterweight champion Joshua Clottey has limited options with regards to future fights. In a much hyped event where he was expected to give Filipino champion Manny Pacquiao one of the toughest fights of his career, Clottey hid behind his taut high guard almost throughout the fight and endured a 12-round punishment en route to a lopsided loss.

So what now for the banger from Ghana? While many see his predicament as dire, there are still some lucrative fights, though not as grand or lucrative as his last match, awaiting him in the future. But a couple of impressive wins over quality fighters should be able to catapult him to the top tier of his division once again.

Here are the probable opponents for Clottey:


Antonio Margarito – recently reinstated to fight once again in American soil, the controversial Margarito may start his comeback with a rematch against Clottey. In their last bout, many have expressed that Clottey would have won if he did not injured his hands. Margarito, proud man that he is, may be enticed to a rematch and be determined to seek out a resounding victory.

However, Bob Arum has expressed interest in pitting Pacquiao and Margarito showdown, which can be a roadblock if Clottey wants a rematch. But a roadblock that is not difficult to overcome. Pacquiao himself already said he is eyeing one more fight before retiring and that could be against the winner of Mosley-Mayweather.


Miguel Cotto – another fighter who snatched a controversial win over Clottey, is a probable opponent. A Cotto rematch would prove to be a big fight, but expect it to be not so big as their first encounter. Maybe a second meeting would provide a different, non-controversial outcome. Whether Cotto wins or loses to Yuri Foreman in their light middleweight clash this June, Clottey is a viable next opponent for the Puerto Rican. If Cotto loses, they could meet at weltwerweight. Otherwise, Clottey would climb up and challenge Cotto for the light middleweight title.


Andre Berto – Clottey would provide a good challenge for the young champion if Berto agrees to fight him. If Clottey would come to his senses and Berto gives him a match, then it could be a great night for boxing. A defensive-minded heavy puncher against a young aggressive and quick puncher would be a great fight on paper.


The loser of Mayweather-Mosley – farfetched but possible, Clottey may have the chance to fight the fighter on the losing end. That is, if both fighters are willing to face the man who refused to engage Pacquiao in a would be storied event.


Alfonso Gomez – if all else fails, Gomez would be the last legitimate opponent slated for Clottey. Gomez is a top 10 welterweight at best and holds a championship belt. That would not be a fight most fans would die to watch, but that would be a start.