Brick City Boxing

By: Brad Marchetti, Doghouse Boxing

The betting line for the Miguel Cotto vs. Joshua Clottey fight have the Puerto Rican icon Cotto sporting a hefty -350 price tag. The African Joshua Clottey is getting little respect from the bookmakers at +250 odds despite most recently handing Zab Judah a swift beating last August. Clottey, 35-2, 20 KO’s, has been waiting for this opportunity his whole life and he is unlikely to be intimidated by the shaven skulled, testosterone fueled, Puerto Rican. Cotto, 33-1, 27 KO’s, also fought the above mentioned Zab Judah and was a much tougher battle than Clottey was. Is the Judah fight an indicator of things to come for the Miguel Cotto vs. Joshua Clottey fight this Saturday at Madison Square Garden? The Miguel Cotto vs. Joshua Clottey line gives Miguel Cotto a 78% chance of winning.

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Even after losing to Antonio Margarito, Miguel Cotto, still is recognized as a top-15 pound-4-pound entrant. The question is whether or not Cotto has completely recovered mentally from the thrashing from Margarito heading into the Joshua Clottey fight. Cotto was able to have a "feel good" comeback fight after the Margarito loss when he KO’d C-level fighter Michael Jennings in 5 rounds this past February. Regardless, the 5’7” Puerto Rican body snatcher is a mean booger that removes men from their spleens with his left book. Cotto, 33-1, 27 KO's, is a natural textbook brawler but does possess a fair amount of polished boxing skills when in boxer mode. Cotto uses a punishing jab to set up his excellent combinations that he delivers from both orthodox and southpaw stances. Cotto is also a very underrated defensive fighter that is well-schooled . Miguel has only an average chin and can be cut but he has lots of heart and experience to survive critical moments in the ring.

In the Zab Judah fight Clottey, showcased his precision punching , air-tight defense and tremendous conditioning. Clottey who trains in Brooklyn, NY is known to run 9+ miles per day as part of his regime. Josh has one of the best left hands in the sport with a booming jab and ripping hooks that he fires both to the head and body. Having never been down in his career the resilient Clottey claims that no man has ever “hurt” him in the ring. Technically proficient, Josh protects his chiseled frame with excellent use of his long arms and elbows. Clottey’s lone weakness appears to be his delicate hands and lack of one-punch KO ability. Clottey is a stiff puncher with both hands but not a devastating puncher. Against Antonio Margarito Clottey was giving the champion Mexican all he could handle before hurting both of his hands, thus dropping a decision.

Clottey is underrated and is a much better value than he is being given on the betting line. Miguel Cotto is an excellent fighter without question but Clottey has been flying under the radar for a while. Clottey has the better defense and chin of these two fighters and is an extremely “live” underdog. Based on common opponents in Judah and Margarito Clottey has proven to be the better fighter. The Cotto vs. Clottey OVER\UNDER is at 9.5 ROUNDS with the OVER at -300.

Marchetti Pick: Joshua Clottey +250

Miguel Cotto vs. Joshua Clottey Tale-Of-The-Tape

Joshua Clottey
From: Brooklyn, NY via Ghana
Ht. 5’8”
Wt.: 147
Age: 32
Reach: 70”
Style: Puncher\Counterpuncher
Best Punch: Left Hook
Rounds Fought: 236

Marchetti Skill Ratings 1-10

*Power: 7 (* indicates x200%)
Size: 8
Speed: 8
Stamina: 10
Defense: 9 (*indicates x200%)
Chin: 10
Cuts\Injury: 6
Heart\Killer Instinct: 9
Legs: 6
Jab\Reach: 8
In-Fighting: 9
Punch Output: 8
Ring IQ: 8

Miguel Cotto
From: Puerto Rico
Ht. 5’8”
Wt.: 147
Age: 28
Reach: 67”
Style: Puncher\Boxer
Best Punch: Left Hook
Rounds Fought: 214

Marchetti Skill Ratings 1-10

*Power: 9 (* indicates x200%)
Size: 8
Speed: 8
Stamina: 8
Defense: 8 (*indicates x200%)
Chin: 6
Cuts\Injury: 6
Heart\Killer Instinct: 8
Legs: 8
Jab\Reach: 9
In-Fighting: 10
Punch Output: 7
Ring IQ: 8