By Mark Vester

Former welterweight champion Joshua Clottey is expecting the fight of his life when he steps in the ring with WBO champion Miguel Cotto on June 13 at New York's Madison Square Garden. Clottey wants to be regarded as one of the best fighters in the world and in order to get there - he must get past Cotto.

"When people talk about me, I want them to say that I'm one of the best in the world. To achieve that, I have to fight the best and Cotto falls into that category. Certainly, Cotto is one of the best. I can't deny that, but if I win the fight, then you have to say that I am one of the best," Clottey told Primera Hora.

Clottey was going to put up his IBF title, but the sanctioning body forced him to vacate the belt when the Cotto fight was officially signed. The IBF wanted him to make a mandatory defense.

"It frustrates me a lot because they didn't allow me to make a title unification. That has been one of my dreams and it wasn't achieved. But the IBF made a decision and we have to accept it," Clottey said.

He sees a tough fight ahead and the training has been very tough. Clottey will not allow himself to be denied in the contest.

"It will not be easy for either of us. Both of us are going to climb into the ring that night and look for the victory and I hope that I'm the one who wins. I am going to fight and Miguel knows it. My training has been perfect. I'm ready to win," Clottey said.

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