Clottey: No amount of cash can entice me back

Former International Boxing Federation (IBF) World welterweight titlist, Joshua Clottey, says no amount of money will get him back into the ring following his decision to retire from the sport after an illustrious career.

Clottey announced his retirement last Friday after a sixth-round stoppage victory over Tanzania's Mfaume Mfaume at the Bukom Boxing Arena in Accra and noted that only his body can bring him back to boxing.

The 41-year-old told the Graphic Sports, in an interview, that he could only comeback to boxing if his body wanted to, but nothing, apart from that, could influence his decision.

"I decided to call it quits because I am not growing any younger and this for me is the best decision at the moment.

"I don't see any financial inducement getting me back because I respect my body so well that it is the only thing that can get me back in the ring and with the clock ticking, I don’t see myself subjecting to that gruelling training regime which is required to put me in tip-top form for a fight," Clottey said.

The former Ghanaian fighter announced his presence at the world stage when he defeated Zab Judah to win the then vacant IBF strap in 2008.

Clottey (40-5, 22 KOs) went on to fight the likes of Antonio Magarito, Miguel Cotto and the legendary Filipino Manny Pacquaio during his hey day.

He became Ghana's seventh boxing world champion after David "Poison" Kotei, Azumah Nelson, Ike "Bazooka" Quartey, Alfred Kotey, Nana Yaw Konadu and Joseph Agbeko during his blistering career. Read Full Story