Will Joshua Clottey return to the ring in 2026?
Following his victory against Isaac Commey (10-3, 10 KOs) at Best of Bukom 2, rising welterweight prospect Henry ‘Assassin Junior’ Malm challenged Joshua Clottey to a fight during his post-fight speech.
Malm successfully defeated his opponent in the sixth round of the event organized by Bishop Boxing Promotion.
Clottey, who was in attendance, responded to Malm’s call out by saying, “I will give him a chance”. Dave Bishop, the CEO of Bishop Promotions, also gave his approval for the fight.
Who would have thought that 2026 could mark the comeback of Joshua ‘The Grandmaster’ Clottey, who once held the IBF welterweight title?
Following his retirement in 2019 , Clottey (41-5, 24 KOs) has kept a low profile. There was a brief mention of a fight against Prince Patel (33-1-2, 28 KOs), which unfortunately did not lead to any further developments.
If the bout materializes, Clottey, aged 48, will return to the ring after 6 years to compete against Henry Malm, who is 26 years old.
Securing a victory against Clottey, even if he is not at his best anymore, would be a significant achievement for the young Malm who is looking to advance in his professional career.
It might surprise people that Clottey wants to box again, considering his previous statements about the dangers of boxing.
Clottey, at his peak, was a world-class fighter, defeating Zab Judah to win the IBF welterweight title in 2008. He also had bouts with Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto, and despite losses in those matches, Joshua Clottey became known as a tough-to-beat boxer.
Malm vs Clottey could be a fight where the old gives way to the new, or one that proves the enduring power of a legend.
At the New Year’s Day event, there was also the crowning of three champions. Joseph Commey won against Magid Yakubu in his first defense of the national lightweight title.
Africanus Neequaye defeated Daniel Quaye to claim the vacant national super lightweight title.
Also, in a cruiserweight match for the West African Boxing Union belt, Haruna Mohammed emerged victorious over Nii Ashitey Larbie.