Joshua steps up to world title
Ghana's Joshua Clottey will be aiming to use Philadelphia-based brawler, Gabriel Rosado as a stepping stone for a world title shot when the pair clash in a catchweight bout on the Luis Ortiz-Bryant Jennings undercard tomorrow at the Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York.
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At 38 years, another defeat for the former IBF welterweight champion, Clottey, who is moving up in weight to face Rosado could spell an end to an impressive career, which has seen him win IBF welterweight and WBA International super welterweight titles.
However, a win against Rosado(21-9, 13 KOs) - a fighter who has not won an official boxing match since 2012 - could set him on a path to bigger and better fights against the likes of the WBC middleweight champion, Saul Alvarez and the unified WBA, IBF, WBC and IBO middleweight champion, Gennady Golovkin.
But,Rosado will not be a push over despite his poor recent record which saw him fall to crack middleweights, such as Gennady Golovkin and Peter Quillin in title bouts as well as David Lemieux and Jermell Charlo (at junior middleweight).
Rosado at 29 years is nine years younger than the Grand Master but both fighters have admitted that the bout which will be staged at a catchweight of 158 pounds represents a crossroads in their respective careers.
Clottey (39-4, 22 KOs) who outpointed former world titleholder Anthony Mundine in Australia last year and won a decision against Jorge Silva in May on the Canelo Alvarez-James Kirkland undercard told ESPN that his goal is to win a world title and is also looking past Rosado.
"I approach it like all my other fights: I train hard, eat correctly, get my rest properly and win,” Clottey said.
“I know Gabe is very tough and always comes to fight so I expect a hard fight from him. I just will need to stay focused and I do what I need to in order to win. I want to be a world champion again, and I believe my experience will help me be one again and know I can do that by winning this fight."
