Doghouse Decides; Diego Corrales vs Joshua Clottey
Compiled by Coyote Duran (April 7, 2007) Doghouse Boxing (Photo © Tom Casino/SHOWTIME)
What’s shakin’ Howlers? Coyote Duran here, once again filling in for the very busy Benny Henderson Jr., with Doghouse Boxing’ predictions for tonight’s 10 round welterweight fight between former World Lightweight Champion Diego ‘Chico’ Corrales, 40-4 (33), and the dark horse welter from Ghana, Joshua ‘The Hitter’ Clottey, 30-2, (19) battle from across the pond. The fight will be presented by Showtime Championship Boxing live tonight from The Shrine Mosque in Springfield, Missouri (9 PM ET/PT, 8 PM central). Jump on in for predictions from the Doghouse’s best and brightest regarding tonight’s new litmus test for the ever-entertaining Corrales. Enjoy and decide for yourself, Dear Readers!

Benny Henderson Jr.: It will be interesting to see how Diego handles the jump in weight, but before he goes head to head against guys such as Mayweather, Williams, Cotto, Margarito or Mosley, what better opponent to start off with then Joshua Clottey? You have a tough cat here that should put up a heck of a fight and make it an entertaining one to
boot. But tough or not, I do not see Clottey getting the ‘W’ in this go around, he is not a power hitter so his pop is not going to be a huge threat, and all though he has competed in the 147-pound class for the majority of his career, he is not the bigger man. I think Diego will stop him. It should be competitive for the first half but I think Corrales’ power will catch up to Clottey. Give me Diego in eight rounds.

Matt DeGonzaque: Diego was a great fighter at 135. At 135, he had more size and firepower than most of the guys around him. But he is unable to make the weight anymore after the humiliating Casamayor incident and is jumping 2 weight classes up to take on the very dangerous Josh Clottey. Make no mistake, Corrales is a great fighter...but he may have bitten off more than he can chew by jumping up so high in weight to take on Clottey. Clottey by KO 6.

Ian Keogh: This is a very tough fight for Corrales. I understand why he jumped two divisions He barely made 140 in his attempt to make 135 last fall. Corrales should have made this jump a long time ago. Clottey was on his way to the upset win over Margarito in December before hand trouble let him down. He showed in that fight he could keep a tall rangy fighter off him with his jab and combination punching. I expect the same in this fight. Corrales isn't going to try to jab with Clottey so I expect Chico to dry and stand his ground and fight. If so I like Clottey by knockout.

Dan Horgan: Clottey UD I give Corrales credit for taking such a tough welterweight debut, but
I think he may have bitten off a bit more than he can chew with this one.

Julian Kasdin: What about Clottey? The man has never beaten an elite fighter, though before injuring his hand against Margarito he looked like he could pull an upset. Has his hand healed, and will he have what it takes to withstand Chico’s offensive arsenal. I have a hunch that come fight night Joshua Clottey, a man who by all means could only have one loss on his record, will be the fresher and ‘younger’ man. The lack of ring wars, plus his position as a natural welter, might prove too much for Chico. If Corrales’ power does not carry, look for Clottey to approach him in a similar fashion to the way he approached Margarito before injuring his hand which will most likely lead to Joshua winning by close decision or late TKO.

Danny Serratelli: Clottey is very solid and Diego is susceptible, but I still think Diego carries the power, skill and heart to win this fight.  Clottey is capable and durable, but I like Chico! Diego Corrales by unanimous decision.

Vikram Birring: Diego Corrales returns to the ring for the first time since his own ‘Weightgate’ scandal and subsequent defeat to Joel Casamayor. Joshua Clottey was on the verge of the victory of his career against Antonio Margarito until hand problems hampered him. This set of circumstances has given way to an intriguing matchup in the welterweight division. Corrales may be biting off more than he can chew, but if he boxes properly like he is capable of, he can win.
Otherwise, don't be surprised if we witness a coming out party for the rugged African.

Gabriel Montoya: Three big questions here: 1) How much does Diego Corrales have left ? 2) Will he carry his power up to welterweight? 3) How will handle a welterweight punch after being KO’D by one left hook from former lightweight Jose Luis Castillo? I don't presume to know the answers as only time will tell. Give me Corrales by split decision in a fight that is very close all the way. My guess is Chico's power will not be as devastating at welter but being the tough guy that he is, he'll be able to take whatever Josh Clottey dishes out. Chico has at least one great one in him. Hopefully he won't waste it by going life and death in his welter debut. Chico by SD

Rob Scott: Whoa, what a tough call. Corrales is indeed the more experienced fighter, but it is Clottey who has been the one who has swam the welterweight waters. There are too many ifs in this fight. If Corrales can take his power up with him, like he thinks he can, then watch out, Mr. Clottey. But if Clottey stays injury free, and land as he did against Margarito, when he faces Corrales, who is very hittable, then watch out Mr. Corrales. Corrales has a heart bigger than the world, and while it takes heart to even dive into the welterweight waters, at this larger weight, I think it should be utilized when needed, not right out of the gate. Corrales should let his brain take over. It's like that old saying of someone using their big head over their little head; and while , like I said, Corrales' heart is huge, he should allow the big head to do the thinking in there with the likes of Clottey, because just as in the case of that subliminal little head, he just may put that little head out there in the wrong place and catch something and get burned. I personally think there will be a knockout, and I know it may be riding the fence, but I think it will come for the fighter who has that ‘if’ factor in his favor. Corrales' power was awesome at jr. lightweight and lightweight. If he carries that power up to welterweight, then as I said, watch out, Mr. Clottey and all of the welterweights. But if Corrales power acts as a tickler rather than the bat that he has hit many a home run with, then Clottey will roll over Corrales. My guess? I think Corrales will land more than Margarito did and until Clottey or anyone else proves different, I think the Corrales power will be in place. I may be in the minority, but I say Corrales TKO.

Coyote Duran: Although Diego Corrales has elected to jump the junior welterweight class altogether with very lucid reasoning, the biggest question regarding his jump to 147 is whether or not he can take his power with him against Joshua Clottey, who in giving Antonio Margarito a helluvan obstacle to go through last December, did surprisingly well until his left paw got the better of him. In addition, I would give Corrales a better chance against the Ghanaian if he still had trainer Joe Goossen in his corner (I’m still scratching my head over THAT decision, ‘Chico’). That being said, I think Clottey will bring out the brawler in Corrales by the end of the second round and that’ll be it, culminating, very possibly, in another Corrales-Jose Luis Castillo scrap (and wouldn’t that be fun?). Unfortunately, in dedicating himself to that strategy, Clottey will re-aggravate his hand problem and open himself to a unanimous decision loss in what will be a very entertaining attraction.


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