Rosado ready for fresh start in Clottey clash on Ortiz undercard

Lee Gormley | December 18, 2015

Joshua Clottey v Gabriel Rosado

Rosado seeks new beginning

Philadelphia-born middleweight Gabriel Rosado takes to the ring in New York this weekend aiming to put an end to his long-running losing streak against Joshua Clottey on the undercard of the heavyweight showdown between Luis Ortiz and Bryant Jennings, as he looks to turn a corner in his stuttering career.

Puerto Rican native Rosado (21-9, 13 KOs) has not tasted victory since 2012, but the fan favourite’s hapless run of losses has come at the hands of the division’s top stars, including Gennady Golovkin and Peter Quillin in title bouts as well as David Lemieux and Jermell Charlo.

Although, in his first bout since starring in the new boxing movie ‘Creed’, the 29-year-old is 5/4 with Coral to finally return to winning ways over former IBF welterweight title-holder Clottey (39-5, 22 KOs) in what is a true crossroads fight for him at a catchweight of 158 pounds.

Rosado ready for successful return

‘King’ Rosado has gathered a big following in his indifferent career, with fans taking to the relentless middleweight for the thrilling fights he has been involved in to date, but he seeking a momentous victory which he is hopeful can send him back on track for a world title shot.

“This fight means a new beginning. It’s the second chapter of my career, and I believe it’s truly my time to shine,” stated Rosado.

“I know that Clottey is a defensive-minded fighter and will be looking to counter. But I believe that I have the advantage. I’m younger, faster, stronger, and I believe my ring IQ is better.”

Clottey chasing another world title

His opponent has been quite inactive since back-to-back defeats to Miguel Cotto and Manny Pacquiao in 2009 and 2010 respectively, but has won four successive bout since those losses. The Ghanaian former world champion is odds-on 8/13 to emerge victorious again in the early hours of Sunday morning, as the 38-year-old also seeks another title bout late in his career.

“I approach it like all my other fights: I train hard, eat correctly, get my rest properly and win. I know Gabe [Rosado] is very tough and always comes to fight so I expect a hard fight from him. I just will need to stay focused and I do what I need to in order to win,” stated Clottey.

“I want to be a world champion again, and I believe my experience will help me be one again and know I can do that by winning this fight.”

The two will collide in New York before former heavyweight world title contender Jennings (19-1, 10 KOs), a 5/4 shot, contests Cuban champion ‘The Real King Kong’ Ortiz (23-0, 20 KOs), who is odds-on 8/13 to triumph, for the WBA interim heavyweight strap.

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Coral’s top tip: Back Gabriel Rosado to make a strong showing and overturn his previous misfortune with a victory over Joshua Clottey at 5/4.