By Scoop Malinowski

With much of the boxing world now focusing on the Cotto-Margarito showdown on July 26, just one week later is another intriguing world welterweight title clash which will be contested by IBF#1 Joshua Clottey and IBF#3 Zab Judah in Las Vegas on August 2.

Joshua Clottey took time out this week before his afternoon workout to discuss the man standing in his way to the IBF Welterweight world title throne…

Boxinginsider: How is training camp going so far for you at the Fernwood Resort in the Pocono mountains?

Joshua Clottey: “Training camp is good, everything is fine, my conditioning, everything. And I’m ready to go.”

Boxinginsider: This is your second time for camp in Pocono right? Is it suitable for you? Do you like it?

Joshua Clottey: “Yes this is my second time here I was also here before the Margarito fight. Well, I like it, because of the hills, it’s cool place, the weather is nice, everything is fine.”

Boxinginsider: You began sparring last week. Who are you sparring partners?

Joshua Clottey: “I don’t know their names. They are very good. They are giving me good work.”

Boxinginsider: You are the #1 contender, how did you feel when it became known that your opponent for the vacant title would be Zab Judah?

Joshua Clottey: “I would choose him. I’m #1, he’s #3, when my manager said it was him I said Okay I love it. I want to fight him badly since 2004. I call in the ring after the fight - I said I want to fight Cory Spinks and Zab Judah. And he (Judah later) came up to me in the gym and said Why do you say my name? He came to the gym and he even pushed my trainer in the street. I said, If I call your name, tell you’re promoter. But don’t come to the gym and say a lot of things to me. So it’s good that he wants to fight.”

Boxinginsider: Zab is a very good fighter. Could you lose to Zab?

Joshua Clottey: “Lose to Zab? Me losing to Zab? HELL NO. HELL NO. I can’t lose to Zab. I cannot lose to Zab. If I lose to Zab that means he can beat anyone in the division. I know how I am, what I’m capable of, how strong I am. If he beat me he’ll beat Cotto, Margarito and the rest of those guys.”

Boxinginsider: What will be the key to victory over Zab?

Joshua Clottey: “Who can withstand the heat. Who can fight to 12 rounds. Who can stand the punches that are coming. I’m coming to do the best I can, to throw my hardest shots. If he can take it. Whatever he throws at me I will take. Whoever will stand for the whole 12 rounds.”

Boxinginsider: What most concerns you about his style?

Joshua Clottey: “I’ve never fought Zab before. I’ve seen his fights before for a long time. I don’t know much about his style. Whatever he brings to the ring I’ll see it in the first round. In the next round I’ll figure out everything he brings to the ring.”

Boxinginsider: Cotto vs. Margarito. Who do you think will win?

Joshua Clottey: “[Laughs]. It will be a very tough fight. It’s not an easy fight, trust me. Margarito is going to throw a lot of punches. Cotto goes to the body. But I can’t tell you who’s gonna win.”

Boxinginsider: And last, why do you think Floyd retired?

Joshua Clottey: “Well maybe, Cotto, Margarito, me, Paul Williams, Cintron - it’s not gonna be easy for him. Maybe he thinks there’s not enough money to fight us, it’s his decision.”

Boxinginsider: You guys could maybe all beat him, hence why he retired I mean abandoned the welterweight division.

Joshua Clottey: “If he gave me the chance I will beat him. I don’t know about the rest.”