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I know this fight was a while ago but I've never heard him give a straight answer as to why he refused to throw punches. His answer is crazy
https://www.sportingnews.com/us/amp/boxing/news/joshua-clottey-reveals-why-he-didnt-throw-punches-against-pacquiao/17n7nxbdhvy8q1hl6uvp47wpxh?
In June 2009, you lost a split decision to Miguel Cotto.
I thought I won that fight. I remember it took them like 10 minutes to bring the scorecards out. So, I knew what was going to happen. I’m in Madison Square Garden and everybody there was Puerto Rican like Cotto. I think even the Puerto Rican Day parade was that weekend. When they said split decision, I thought damn, they are going to rob me. They already had an agreement to fight Manny Pacquiao next. So, if the fight was close, they were going to give it to him.
But you got a chance to fight Pacquiao, too. What happened?
Looking back, I feel like I made a mistake with the Pacquiao fight by not throwing punches. But sometimes, to tell you the truth, I feel like it’s OK. I had a lot of issues with my manager at the time, Vincent Scolpino. He took advantage of me. Our agreement said that he would help financially until I reached $70,000 a fight. He was taking 33 percent of my money. But once I started making over $70,000, he just disappeared. He wasn’t doing anything a manager should do. He wasn’t providing any financial help. Not even encouragement. Meanwhile, my promoter is the one getting me fights. Vinny wouldn’t even come see me in camp. He would show up fight week, collect his money after the fight and that was it.
I don’t think people understand how much that can weaken a fighter’s spirit. I didn’t see Vinny until the week of the Pacquiao fight. So, after the weigh-in, I went to his hotel room. I told him how unhappy I was. I said, drop the 33 percent down to 27 percent. He refused. When I fought Pacquiao, I decided I was just going to defend myself. I wasn’t going to put my life on the line for people who did nothing, but take from me. It was all about business for Vinny. And I’m going in there taking punches so that he can take a big portion even though you don’t speak to me.
But there is a part of you that regrets what you did.
I give it to Almighty Allah at the end. I can feed my family. So, I thank God for what he has given me. Has it left a bitter taste in my mouth? Yes, but a lot of things in boxing did that. That’s why I want to come back. I want it to be over on my terms. I still have a lot to offer.
I thought I won that fight. I remember it took them like 10 minutes to bring the scorecards out. So, I knew what was going to happen. I’m in Madison Square Garden and everybody there was Puerto Rican like Cotto. I think even the Puerto Rican Day parade was that weekend. When they said split decision, I thought damn, they are going to rob me. They already had an agreement to fight Manny Pacquiao next. So, if the fight was close, they were going to give it to him.
But you got a chance to fight Pacquiao, too. What happened?
Looking back, I feel like I made a mistake with the Pacquiao fight by not throwing punches. But sometimes, to tell you the truth, I feel like it’s OK. I had a lot of issues with my manager at the time, Vincent Scolpino. He took advantage of me. Our agreement said that he would help financially until I reached $70,000 a fight. He was taking 33 percent of my money. But once I started making over $70,000, he just disappeared. He wasn’t doing anything a manager should do. He wasn’t providing any financial help. Not even encouragement. Meanwhile, my promoter is the one getting me fights. Vinny wouldn’t even come see me in camp. He would show up fight week, collect his money after the fight and that was it.
I don’t think people understand how much that can weaken a fighter’s spirit. I didn’t see Vinny until the week of the Pacquiao fight. So, after the weigh-in, I went to his hotel room. I told him how unhappy I was. I said, drop the 33 percent down to 27 percent. He refused. When I fought Pacquiao, I decided I was just going to defend myself. I wasn’t going to put my life on the line for people who did nothing, but take from me. It was all about business for Vinny. And I’m going in there taking punches so that he can take a big portion even though you don’t speak to me.
But there is a part of you that regrets what you did.
I give it to Almighty Allah at the end. I can feed my family. So, I thank God for what he has given me. Has it left a bitter taste in my mouth? Yes, but a lot of things in boxing did that. That’s why I want to come back. I want it to be over on my terms. I still have a lot to offer.
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