Joshua Clottey showed the world tonight why he is one of the most complete fighter in the welterweight division as he methodically broke down and battered game but outgunned fringe contender Jose Luis Cruz via 5th round referee stoppage.Sportsbetting.com had Joshua Clottey as a -325 boxing

Cruz tried his best to make a brawl of it but the all-around boxing ability of Clottey proved to much as he consistently beat Cruz to the punch and countered his wide shots with crisp combinations. Cruz came into the fight with the reputation as a body puncher but Clottey was the one abusing Cruz’s midsection throughout. Cruz came in squared off and unable to reach Clottey with anything clean.

Cruz was bleeding from a headbutt and getting worked over by Clottey in the 5th when the referee decided to halt the action and let the wobbly Cruz fight another day. Clottey stated after the fight that he is looking to fight bMiguel Cotto or Antonio Margarito. Clottey had a spirited battle with Margarito a few years back, but he hurt hand and was forced to essentially fight one handed as he dropped a 12-round unanimous decision. I would have to make the rematch in favor of Margarito by a slight 8-5 margin but Clottey could upset him. Clottey would have to be at least a 3-1 underdog against Cotto but his left hook would get Cotto’s respect.

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