Ghana’s Joshua Clottey, a former IBF welterweight beltholder, has signed with Star Boxing, the promotional company’s president, Joe DeGuardia, announced on Friday. Clottey, who resides in The Bronx, N.Y., could return as a middleweight.

Clottey (36-4, 22 knockouts), who turns 36 in October, was last in the ring for a second-round knockout of junior middleweight rival Calvin Green (though both weighed in at 156 pounds) on the undercard of Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.’s fifth-round stoppage of Peter Manfredo Jr.

Prior to Green, Clottey suffered consecutive losses in welterweight bouts to Miguel Cotto and Manny Pacquiao by split- and unanimous decision.

“We’re very excited to welcome Joshua Clottey to the Star Boxing Team,” said DeGuardia. “He’s fought the very best in the world, including Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto, and he fits very favorably in the mix in the top ten middleweights in the world.”

Clottey was 20-0, with 15 knockouts before being disqualified in the 11th round for head-butting against Carlos Baldomir, a matchup he needed only to stay on his feet to win in November of 1999.

Clottey was also ahead against Antonio Margarito in December of 2006 before injuring his hands in what ultimately became a unanimous-decision loss in a bid to win the WBO 147-pound title.

In August of 2008, Clottey defeated Zab Judah by ninth-round technical decision for the IBF’s vacant welterweight belt, this, after having beaten a fading Diego Corrales by unanimous decision in April of 2007.

Clottey yielded the IBF belt in order to challenge Cotto for the WBO’s title, then lost to Pacquiao.

Despite those losses, though, Clottey is known for his difficult defense and formidable chin, and has never been stopped.

“I’ve watched Joshua for many years, and have always been very impressed by his power and aggressive style,” said DeGuardia. “His world title fight against Miguel Cotto was one of the most memorable bouts New York City fight fans have seen for many years.”

Clottey’s return date will be announced soon.

Photos by Chris Farina, Top Rank

Lem Satterfield can be reached at [email protected]