Former world champion Joshua “The Grand Master” Clottey will head to Newcastle, Australia on April 2 to clash with former two time WBA Champion and local favorite Anthony “the man” Mundine in a twelve round junior middleweight clash, it was confirmed today by Joe DeGuardia, Founder and President of Star Boxing.
“It’s an excellent opportunity for Joshua, and we are glad that after extended negotiations with Brendan Bourke from BOXA Promotions this fight is officially on.” said DeGuardia. “He’s been training since his last victory in September looking for a big fight and Mundine presents a high risk/high reward type of fight. A win over Mundine will put him right back on track for a major fight in the United States.”
Sporting a record of 37-4-0 (22KO’s), Clottey comes off a ten-round shutout decision over Los Angeles based veteran Dashon Johnson on September 14, 2013 at The Paramount in Huntington, New York as part of Star Boxing’s acclaimed , “Rockin’ Fights” series.
“I am now fighting at my best weight, 154 pounds, and Anthony Mundine is one stop on my road to the world championship” stated Clottey.
With an outstanding fourteen-year career that includes wins over former world champions Zab Judah and Diego Corrales, Clottey is perhaps best known to New York City area boxing fans for his war for the ages with Puerto Rican superstar Miguel Cotto on June 13, 2009 at Madison Square Garden.
Fighting in front of a capacity crowd of over 20,000 boxing fans, Clottey bloodied the WBO Welterweight Champion and although valiantly battled throughout, the judges awarded Cotto a split decision by the slimmest of margins.
The 38-year-old Mundine, 46-5-0 (27KO’s), had an up and down 2013, losing an IBF title shot to fellow countryman Daniel Geale while also defeating boxing legend Shane Mosley via seventh round stoppage. Most recently, the Sydney, Australia resident won a ten round unanimous decision over Gunnar Jackson on January 29th.
