I don't need Azumah's opinion - Joshua Clottey

Monday, 15 March 2010 16:21

Written by peacefmonline.com

The defeated former IBF welterweight champion, Joshua Clottey has taken a swipe at Ghanaian Boxing Legend, Azumah Nelson, for accusing his trainer for not doing enough to ensure his victory against Manny Pacquaio.

The Technical Director of the Ghana Boxing Association, Azumah Nelson, in an interview with Citi FM, moments after Clottey’s loss said that the trainer of Joshua Clottey was to blame for the Former IBF Welterweight Champion’s defeat to Manny Pacquiao in their welterweight bout on Sunday March 14.

According to Azumah, Clottey’s trainer, Lenny de Jesus, failed to send out clear cut instructions to Clottey on how to beat his opponent. However, in an interview with Peace FM on Monday March 15, Joshua Clottey chided the former world super featherweight King, saying his accusations were unfair.

Joshua Clottey accused Azumah Nelson and former Welterweight champion Ike Quartey for failing to call him to encourage him prior to his fight against Manny Pacquaio. “Wouldn’t it have been nice for Azuma Nelson to call me and give me hope or advise me ahead of my fight? Even the ring announcers asked me whether any of them had called me to advise me or give me hope and I said no. None of them called me”

Joshua Clottey further said that a call from Azumah Nelson could have inspired him to win his fight against Manny Pacquaio. He added that Azumah Nelson therefore had no right to make such comments after his defeat to Manny Pacquaio.

“As a technical director of boxing for a country, you failed to call your boxer and advise him or wish him luck ahead of his fight, then after the fight you start making your comments…I don’t need his opinion”

He apologized to Ghanaians for his defeat and assured Ghanaians that he would make amends in his next fight and bring back the title to his country.

Meanwhile sources say Clottey earned around $3 million dollars for facing Pacquiao. It is his highest pay check in his career while Pacquiao stands to gain more than $12 million dollars.