By Bradley Pearson: It’s been 17 long months since former IBF welterweight champion Joshua Clottey (35-4, 20 KO’s) was last in the ring, and with that, questions have arisen as to why the Ghanaian boxer has been ‘MIA’ for so long- in what would seem his prime years.

According to recent comments made on his personal Facebook account and official Twitter page (@_GMASTERCLOTTEY), the Top Rank fighter reveals he has yet to settle a legal dispute with a “former manager” before he can make his long awaited ring return.

Clottey, 33, wrote: “I know my fans are worry about my return to the ring and I even want to fight today but I will be happy fighting without my ex manager for personal reasons thanks fans”. He went on to later add- “Just be patient for me cos our dispute is at the court so soon judgement will come. I will bounce back big for my fans”.

It’s been a frustrating year for Clottey, who was forced to pull out of his scheduled clash with Calvin Green back in March due to a freak accident suffered during a routine run. Negotiations also broke down later in the year for a potential match-up with former welterweight champion Kermit Cintron back in July. Instead, the Puerto Rican puncher went on to lose to Carlos Molina on the night the Clottey bout would’ve taken place. The ‘Grand Master’ has often expressed his desire for rematches with both Miguel Cotto (36-2, 29 KO’s) and Antonio Margarito (38-7, 27 KO’s) on numerous occasions in the past and with the two facing off this December, Clottey may perhaps be looking to secure a fight with the winner, sometime in 2012.

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