JOSHUA CLOTTEY | The Grand Master — Official Fan Legacy Site

The Story

From Bukom To
The Bright Lights

Joshua Clottey after winning the IBF title

THE CHIN THAT NEVER CRACKED

Joshua Clottey — "The Grand Master" — was born on October 6, 1977 in Accra, Ghana. He played football as a youth like his father before taking up boxing alongside his two brothers, Emmanuel and Judas, who also turned professional.

He won his first 20 professional fights (14 by knockout), captured the African Boxing Union welterweight title, and on August 2, 2008 defeated Zab Judah to become IBF Welterweight Champion of the World — Ghana's proudest boxing night in years.

1994Commonwealth Games amateur

1995–2019Pro career · 24 years

5'8" / 173cmOrthodox stance

2 DivisionsWelter & super welter

See The Full Record

By The Numbers

Career In Data

The complete statistical picture of a 24-year professional journey across four continents.

0Total Fights

0Wins

0Wins By KO

0Losses

0World Rounds vs Pacquiao

0Times Stopped

Chin / Durability100%

Counter Punching93%

Defense94%

Ring IQ91%

Stamina90%

Hand Speed88%

Punching Power86%

Body Punching89%

The Journey

24 Years. One Legacy.

1995

Pro Debut — Accra, Ghana

Wins his first professional fight on March 31, 1995 at Kaneshie Sports Complex. The 20-fight win streak that follows — 14 by knockout — announces a new force from Ghana.

1999

Controversy At Wembley

At 20–0, Clottey challenges Carlos Baldomir for the WBC International title in London. He is winning the fight until a disputed disqualification for head clashes — a decision many ringside observers called dubious.

2006

First World Title Shot — Margarito

Challenges WBO champion Antonio Margarito in Atlantic City and breaks his hand in round four — yet fights on to a razor-close decision loss. Years later, Margarito was found to have used loaded hand wraps.

2007

The Corrales Statement

Wins a unanimous decision over the legendary Diego Corrales — a victory that took on deeper meaning when Corrales tragically passed away months later. Clottey then beats Shamone Alvarez to secure another title eliminator.

2008

👑 IBF WORLD CHAMPION

August 2, 2008 — the coronation. Clottey defeats former two-division champion Zab Judah over twelve rounds at the Pearl Concert Theater to claim the vacant IBF Welterweight title. Ghana has a new world champion.

2009

War At The Garden

June 13, 2009 at Madison Square Garden: a memorable back-and-forth war with Miguel Cotto for the WBO title. Clottey survives a round-one knockdown and cuts Cotto — but drops a hotly disputed split decision many believed he won.

2010

The Event — Pacquiao at Cowboys Stadium

March 13, 2010: before a roaring crowd of over 50,000 at the home of the Dallas Cowboys, Clottey faces seven-division king Manny Pacquiao. He hears the final bell against the sport's pound-for-pound best. The fight sells 700,000 PPV buys on HBO.

2014

Masterclass Down Under

In front of Anthony Mundine's home crowd in Newcastle, Australia, Clottey turns in arguably his finest performance — dropping the former world champion five times to capture the WBA International super welterweight title.

2019

The Final Bell

Clottey closes his career where his heart always was — Ghana. A TKO win over Aziz Mponda in Akropong seals the ledger at 41–5–1 NC with 24 knockouts. Never stopped. Never knocked out. The Grand Master rides into history.

The Ledger

Official Record 41–5–1

Every significant night of a 47-fight career — world title wars, controversial scorecards, and a chin that never once touched the canvas for the count.

0Fights

0Wins

0KO Wins

0Decision Wins

0Losses

0No Contest

Result	Opponent	Type	Rounds	Date	Location
Win	Aziz Mponda	TKO	9 (10)	Sep 22, 2019	Akropong, Ghana
Win	Mfaume Mfaume	TKO	6 (10)	Mar 8, 2019	Bukom Arena, Accra
Loss	Gabriel Rosado	UD	10	Dec 19, 2015	Verona, New York
Win	Jorge Silva	UD	10	May 9, 2015	Houston, Texas
Win	Anthony Mundine	UD	12	Apr 9, 2014	Newcastle, Australia
Win	Dashon Johnson	UD	10	Sep 14, 2013	Huntington, New York
Win	Calvin Green	TKO	2 (8)	Nov 19, 2011	Houston, Texas
Loss	Manny Pacquiao	UD	12	Mar 13, 2010	Cowboys Stadium, Texas
Loss	Miguel Cotto	SD	12	Jun 13, 2009	Madison Square Garden
Win	Zab Judah	TD	9 (12)	Aug 2, 2008	Las Vegas, Nevada
Loss	Antonio Margarito	UD	12	Dec 2, 2006	Atlantic City, New Jersey
Win	Diego Corrales	UD	10	Apr 7, 2007	Springfield, Missouri
Loss	Carlos Baldomir	DQ	12 (12)	Nov 29, 1999	Wembley Arena, London

Fight	Title	Result	Notes
vs Zab Judah · Aug 2008	Vacant IBF Welterweight	Won TD 9	Crowned IBF World Champion
vs Miguel Cotto · Jun 2009	WBO Welterweight	SD 12	Disputed split decision at The Garden
vs Manny Pacquiao · Mar 2010	WBO Welterweight	UD 12	Cowboys Stadium · 700K PPV buys
vs Antonio Margarito · Dec 2006	WBO Welterweight	UD 12	Broke hand in round 4, fought on
vs Carlos Baldomir · Nov 1999	WBC International	DQ 12	Controversial disqualification while ahead

Championship	Won	Details
IBF World Welterweight	Aug 2, 2008	Defeated Zab Judah, Pearl Concert Theater, Las Vegas
WBA International Super Welterweight	Apr 9, 2014	Dominated Anthony Mundine, five knockdowns, Newcastle
IBF Inter-Continental Welterweight	Jul 29, 2006	Majority decision over Richard Gutierrez
WBC Continental Americas (interim) Super Welterweight	Dec 3, 2005	Unanimous decision over Marcos Primera, Mandalay Bay
African Boxing Union Welterweight	Apr 27, 2001	TKO 10 over Ike Obi, Kaneshie Sports Complex, Accra
Ghanaian Light Welterweight	Dec 22, 1995	First title, early in the 20-fight win streak

Motion

Watch The Grand Master

The defining nights, preserved on film. Click any card to play.

Career Retrospective

The Grand Master — Highlights & Knockouts

The complete story in motion: defense, counters, and the chin that never cracked.

June 13, 2009 · HBO Boxing

Miguel Cotto vs Joshua Clottey — Highlights

The brutal Madison Square Garden war for the WBO welterweight crown.

April 7, 2007

Clottey vs Diego Corrales — Highlights

A unanimous decision over a legend in what became Corrales' final fight.

Frames

Iconic Moments

Click any frame to view it full screen.

Live & Upcoming

Events & Appearances

Meet The Grand Master — anniversary celebrations, boxing clinics and fan gatherings across Ghana and around the world.

02AUG

Anniversary

IBF Title Anniversary — Bukom Homecoming

The annual celebration of the 2008 coronation night. Open-air screening of the Judah fight, legends Q&A, and unveiling of the new Bukom community mural.

Bukom Square, AccraFree Entry

06OCT

Community

Grand Master Boxing Clinic

A free youth clinic on The Grand Master's birthday. High-guard defense masterclass, pad work, and mentorship for the next generation of Bukom fighters.

Kaneshie Sports Complex, AccraAges 8–18

15NOV

Fan Meet

Fan Meet & Greet — The Bronx

Where it all began in America. Photo opportunities, memorabilia signings, and stories from the road — from York Hall to Cowboys Stadium.

Star Boxing Gym, Bronx NYLimited Tickets

20DEC

Gala

Legends of Ghana Boxing Gala Night

An evening honouring Ghana's world champions. Clottey headlines alongside fellow greats, with a silent auction benefiting the Foundation.

Kempinski Hotel, AccraBlack Tie

0Days

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Until the next IBF Anniversary celebration

Giving Back

The Clottey Foundation

From the gyms of Bukom to world champion — Joshua Clottey never forgot where he came from. The foundation supports the next generation of Ghanaian fighters and the communities that raised them.

🥊

Youth Boxing Scholarships

Training fees, travel and competition costs for talented young boxers from Accra's toughest neighborhoods.

🧤

Equipment For Bukom Gyms

Gloves, bags, ring ropes and safety gear for the legendary gyms that produced Clottey, Azumah Nelson and Ike Quartey.

📚

Education Support

School fees and study materials for young athletes, so they can chase titles without leaving the classroom behind.

🍲

Health & Nutrition

Meal programs and basic medical checkups for youth boxers and their families in Bukom and Kaneshie.

2026 Goal$68,400 / $100,000 raised

Donate

Fuel The Next Champion

100% of donations go directly to programs on the ground in Ghana.

$25 puts gloves on a young boxer's hands · $100 funds a month of training · $500 sponsors a full scholarship

Official Merch

The Grand Master Store

Wear the legacy. A portion of every sale supports the Clottey Foundation.

Best Seller Grand Master tee

Grand Master Championship Tee

Heavyweight cotton tee with the raised-fist crest. Black / gold on Ghana red.

$29.99

Champion's Eyes Hoodie

Premium fleece hoodie, embroidered 41–5–1 record on the sleeve.

$54.99

Bukom Snapback Cap

Structured cap with the Ghana tricolour underbrim. One size fits all.

$24.99

Limited

The Event Poster — Pacquiao vs Clottey

A2 giclée print of the Cowboys Stadium fight poster, March 13, 2010.

$19.99

Garden War Poster — Cotto vs Clottey

Madison Square Garden, June 13, 2009. Museum-grade poster print.

$19.99

Weigh-In Art Print — Cotto Face-Off

Canvas-textured print of the famous staredown. 12×16 inches.

$34.99

Follow The Champ

Social Media

Stay connected with The Grand Master Nation across every platform.

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Fight memories, fan photos and Ghana boxing community groups.

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Instagram

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Classic fight clips, training footage and throwback moments daily.

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@GrandMasterJC

Hot takes, fight-week reactions and live commentary from fans.

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YouTube

Joshua Clottey TV

Full highlights, documentaries and classic fights on demand.

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Every Word Ever Written

The Archives

A curated collection of articles, videos and features about Joshua Clottey from the world's biggest boxing publications. Click to read or watch.

Modern Ghana

YouTube · Boxing Extra

Joshua Clottey vs Zab Judah — IBF Title Highlights HD

Aug 2, 2008 · The CoronationWatch Video

YouTube

The Grand Master — Career Highlights & Knockouts

Career RetrospectiveWatch Video

YouTube · HBO Boxing

Miguel Cotto vs Joshua Clottey — The Garden War Highlights

Jun 13, 2009Watch Video

YouTube

Clottey vs Diego Corrales — Highlights

Apr 7, 2007Watch Video

Star Boxing

Official Fighter Profile — "The Grand Master"

Official Promoter BioRead Profile

Wikipedia

Joshua Clottey — Complete Career Encyclopedia

Full Record & HistoryRead Article

Wikipedia

Manny Pacquiao vs. Joshua Clottey — "The Event" Breakdown

Fight EncyclopediaRead Article

Reddit r/Boxing

"Joshua Clottey — His career frustrates me to no end. Very underrated too."

Fan Discussion ThreadJoin Discussion

Graphic Online

"Joshua Clottey reveals how he invested his millions"

Ghana Press · Video InterviewWatch & Read

From The Archive

Signature Nights

The fights and moments that defined The Grand Master.

Career Tribute

"He Was Never Stopped" — The Clottey Story Retold

New generations of Ghanaian boxing fans are rediscovering the master of the high guard — a stylistic throwback who stood in front of the sport's hardest punchers and never fell.

June 13, 2009

The Garden War: A Split Decision Still Debated

Cotto vs Clottey remains one of Madison Square Garden's great modern fights — knockdowns, cuts, head clashes, and a scorecard many ringside journalists disagreed with.

April 9, 2014

Five Times Down: The Mundine Masterclass

In hostile territory in Newcastle, Australia, Clottey produced perhaps his most complete performance — dropping Anthony Mundine five times to take the WBA International title.

Fan Vote

What Was Clottey's Greatest Night?

Cast your vote — results update live.

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Voices

What The World Says

"Clottey's high guard was a fortress. Pacquiao threw over 1,200 punches at him and still couldn't take him out."

— Boxing Analyst, ESPN

"He broke his hand against Margarito and kept fighting one-handed for eight rounds. That tells you everything about his heart."

— Ringside Reporter, Atlantic City

"Joshua Clottey is a Ghanaian legend — a world champion who carried our flag into the biggest arenas on earth."

— Accra Sports Radio

Know The Champ

Questions, Answered

Everything fans ask about The Grand Master.

Never. Across 47 professional fights and 5 losses, Clottey was never stopped. His durable chin — fighting behind the high guard — was the foundation of his entire style.

On August 2, 2008, Clottey defeated Zab Judah by technical decision after 9 rounds to claim the vacant IBF Welterweight title in Las Vegas. He held the crown until June 2009.

His biggest nights came against Manny Pacquiao (Cowboys Stadium, 2010), Miguel Cotto (Madison Square Garden, 2009), Antonio Margarito, Zab Judah, Diego Corrales, and Anthony Mundine.

The March 13, 2010 fight with Manny Pacquiao at Dallas Cowboys Stadium — staged after the collapsed Pacquiao–Mayweather negotiations. It drew over 50,000 fans live and 700,000 pay-per-view buys on HBO.

Born in Accra, Ghana, he learned his craft in the famous Bukom boxing scene, fought as an amateur at the 1994 Commonwealth Games, and later based himself in The Bronx, New York. His career took him across Ghana, England, and the United States, to Australia and beyond.

Media Requests

Press &
Appearances

Requesting interviews, documentary features, commentary appearances or event bookings related to Joshua Clottey. Submissions are reviewed by the representation team.

✓Interview & documentary requests
✓Fight commentary & analyst bookings
✓Ghana boxing clinic & appearance inquiries

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Ghana Boxing Worldwide

Join The Grand Master Nation

Tributes, throwback fight footage, Ghana boxing history, and updates on appearances — straight to your inbox.

JOSHUA CLOTTEY GRAND MASTER

From Bukom ToThe Bright Lights

THE CHIN THAT NEVER CRACKED

Career In Data

24 Years. One Legacy.

Pro Debut — Accra, Ghana

Controversy At Wembley

First World Title Shot — Margarito

The Corrales Statement

👑 IBF WORLD CHAMPION

War At The Garden

The Event — Pacquiao at Cowboys Stadium

Masterclass Down Under

The Final Bell

Official Record 41–5–1

Watch The Grand Master

The Grand Master — Highlights & Knockouts

Miguel Cotto vs Joshua Clottey — Highlights

Clottey vs Diego Corrales — Highlights

Iconic Moments

Events & Appearances

IBF Title Anniversary — Bukom Homecoming

Grand Master Boxing Clinic

Fan Meet & Greet — The Bronx

Legends of Ghana Boxing Gala Night

The Clottey Foundation

Youth Boxing Scholarships

Equipment For Bukom Gyms

Education Support

Health & Nutrition

Fuel The Next Champion

The Grand Master Store

Grand Master Championship Tee

Champion's Eyes Hoodie

Bukom Snapback Cap

The Event Poster — Pacquiao vs Clottey

Garden War Poster — Cotto vs Clottey

Weigh-In Art Print — Cotto Face-Off

Social Media

Facebook

Instagram

X / Twitter

YouTube

The Archives

"Joshua Clottey is new IBF welterweight champion"

"Joshua Clottey Decisions Zab Judah, Wins IBF Title"

"Cotto defeats Clottey on points"

"Cotto wins brutal battle"

"Cotto overcomes cut, wins split decision"

"Pacquiao Overwhelms Clottey to Retain W.B.O. Welterweight Title"

"Anthony Mundine punished in defeat to Joshua Clottey"

"Anthony Mundine falls to Joshua Clottey in punishing bout"

"Mundine vs Clottey results: Clottey dominates, scores five knockdowns"

"Joshua Clottey hoping for Miguel Cotto–Saul Alvarez winner"

"Former IBF Welterweight Champ Joshua Clottey To Return Next Year"

Joshua Clottey vs Zab Judah — IBF Title Highlights HD

The Grand Master — Career Highlights & Knockouts

Miguel Cotto vs Joshua Clottey — The Garden War Highlights

Clottey vs Diego Corrales — Highlights

Official Fighter Profile — "The Grand Master"

Joshua Clottey — Complete Career Encyclopedia

Manny Pacquiao vs. Joshua Clottey — "The Event" Breakdown

"Joshua Clottey — His career frustrates me to no end. Very underrated too."

"Joshua Clottey reveals how he invested his millions"

Signature Nights

"He Was Never Stopped" — The Clottey Story Retold

The Garden War: A Split Decision Still Debated

Five Times Down: The Mundine Masterclass

What Was Clottey's Greatest Night?

What The World Says

Questions, Answered

Press &Appearances

Send A Request

Join The Grand Master Nation

From Bukom To
The Bright Lights

Press &
Appearances