I deliberately lost to Pacquiao – Clottey

• Posted on February 7, 2023February 7, 2023
• by Nana Kwesi Coomson
• Comment

Barely 13 years after losing to Filipino Manny Pacquiao, fomer IBF champion, Joshua Clottey, says he did that on purpose.

Speaking to JoyNews in an interview, the 45-year-old boxer said he was cheated by his manager, Vincent Scolpino, hence his decision to deliberately lose the fight.

On March 13, 2010, the two boxers fought for the WBO welterweight title at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, after the much-awaited fight between Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather fell through.

“The manager had already accepted $1million as payment, and I came in to negotiate for $1.350 million. It was a fight I was supposed to get $2m as the pay.

“The pay per view was $100 for each viewer but he negotiated for $3 on my behalf out of the $100. Even with the $3, I could only earn my share after 300,000 buyers. So if 300,001 people buy I will earn only $3.

“I tried negotiating but they claimed if I can’t I should leave so I had to take the fight. Meanwhile, the manager was making 33 per cent profit from each pay per view income, including the fight money,” he said.

Recounting his ordeal with the manager, Clottey stated how he regretted selecting Scolpino as his manager and expressed his disappointment over how he was cheated by the same man he trusted to become his manager.

“I regret signing with that manager, I regret listening to the trainer but it made me strong not to allow anyone negotiate on my behalf. I was supposed to make more money.

“I was not happy about the Pacquiao fight because I had three years on my contract with my manager so I decided to blow it up. I even went to his office to negotiate for him to take 25 per cent so I take eight per cent but he said no,” he disclosed