By Ryan Burton
BoxingScene.com speaks to welterweight contender Joshua Clottey (35-3) about the cancelling of his bout with Carlos Quintana. Clottey touches on his future and wants it to be known that Kermit Cintron just won't fight him. See what else he has to say in this BoxingScene.com exclusive.
BoxingScene.com: First off Joshua what are your thoughts on your fight with Carlos Quintana being cancelled?
Joshua Clottey: You know it is a very frustrating situation. I was so happy when the fight was made. I had been training and second it was against a good fighter like Carlos Quintana and now it is off.
Everything is messed up and I am not happy about it at all.
BoxingScene.com: I know that you have told me before that you wanted to fight Paul Williams. With his fight against Pavlik off is that a fight you would want? It seems like a fit being that you were both scheduled to fight on the same card if you could come to an agreement on the weight.
Joshua Clottey: You know me Ryan I always will fight anybody. That is how I am. I would fight anyone. Hopefully something good comes out of this. I am not scared of nobody. I am ready to fight.
BoxingScene.com: We have to assume you won't get that fight. When do you think you realistically will be back in the ring?
Joshua Clottey: It is all about the promoters you know. I love Top Rank and I respect them a lot. I think they really need to look at what they are doing for my career. I really love boxing and I want to fight. I need them to push me a little and get me a fight.
BoxingScene.com: Kermit Cintron is coming off a great knockout victory.
Would a fight with him interest you?
Joshua Clottey: You know Ryan I am glad you asked me that question.
I don't know what I have done to Kermit Cintron. He says he doesn't want to fight me. Thsi fight with Carlos Quintana was supposed to be with Kermit Cintron. He said he wouldn't do it. Why don't you go to give and ask him why he won't fight me? I want to fight him badly.
BoxingScene.com: Do you think they you will have a fight in place for January or February?
Joshua Clottey: To be honest with you my trainer is in Africa right now. He was here for the fight and I told him he should go back to Africa because the fight was off. He can come back when we get a fight but believe me I am always training. I am always in the gym. I love the gym.
BoxingScene.com: So who is your new trainer?
Joshua Clottey: I got a new trainer. He is from Africa. He is called Cuti. He is a very good trainer. He trained me since I was an amateur. I was going to use him for the fight with Quintana. Because the fight is off I told him he might as well go back to Africa.
BoxingScene.com: Now that you have had more time to reflect on the Cotto fight. Do you still feel you won?
Joshua Clottey: I think I did a lot to win the fight. Everybody knows that Cotto always punches a lot and fight going forward but when I fought him he always runs and I am pressuring and chasing him. His punches weren't doing anything in that fight. I think if they weren't going to give me the decision they should have made it a draw. Things happen for a reason. Maybe they don't think I am ready for Manny Pacquiao, so Cotto wins. I am still happy and I will be around. The only thing I need is I need a push. I need Top Rank to push me and show me to the people. If I don't stay active it isn't good for me.
BoxingScene.com: Do you have a message for the fans?
Joshua Clottey: I love the fans. BoxingScene is number one. I love BoxingScene. I want to thank the fans for being faithful and watching me. I am sorry the Quintana fight didn't happen but I will be back in the ring soon.
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