JOSHUA Clottey has called it.

The Ghanaian is predicting he will upset Anthony Mundine in tonight’s WBA international light middleweight title bout in Newcastle, NSW, which would effectively end his career.

“Mundine is in for a rude shock when I retire him. He has no idea who he’s fighting,” Clottey said.

This is why he’s right.

THE RECORD

Looking at Clottey’s career to date, you learn more from his losses than his victories.

The Ghanaian-born 36-year-old has only ever lost to world champions Manny Pacquiao, Miguel Cotto, Antonio Margarito and Carlos Baldomir.

A former IBF welterweight champion, Clottey has never been knocked out.

He has the big-fight experience against many of the best fighters of his time.

THE POWER

Nicknamed “The Hitter”, Clottey has claimed 21 of his 37 wins by knockout – and Mundine has been floored twice before.

Mundine suffered his first KO defeat at the hands of long-time IBF super middleweight world champion Sven Ottke in 2001. His second KO came against the far less credentialled Garth Wood – a winner of The Contender Australia – who flattened Mundine with a left hook to the jaw in 2010.

Despite his impressive 46-5 record, there are still question marks over Choc’s chin.

News_Image_File: Mundine takes a well-earned rest against Garth Wood in 2010.

THE EGO

The Man may have finally met his match in the mouth stakes. Clottey has been on fire over the past week.

“Australia is such a beautiful place full of welcoming people,” he said. “I hope I’m still welcome after I crush your champion.”

Other offerings included: “Mundine is fighting a prime beast, not a washed-up guy like (Shane) Mosley,” and, “I will crack him. I have no respect for anybody’s power. I have never been hurt in the boxing ring, ever.”

He might be giving away three inches in height, but one thing Clottey is not short on is confidence.

News_Image_File: Has Joshua Clottey got inside Choc’s head?

THE RETURN

After nearly two years out of the ring due to what he described as managerial problems, Clottey returned to the ring in September and – while a little rusty – made light work of American veteran Dashon Johnson with a shutout 10-round unanimous victory.

He also insists any suggestions he is not fight fit are unfounded.

“People keep asking about my fitness, I have never stopped training, I’ve had five months to prepare for this fight and I’m ready,” Clottey said.

THE FEAR FACTOR

Whether or not he was feeding the press is unclear, but Mundine said he was afraid leading into tonight’s fight.

“Look at the physique on the guy, he’s scary, he’s a beast,” Mundine said.

“I feel like Rocky against Mr T. You wouldn’t want to run into him after dark. It’s going to be a tough fight.”

News_Image_File: Running scared? Choc prepares for tonight’s bout.

THE STAKES

Mundine said it best.

“Everything is at stake. If I get beaten, I’m done,” he said.

A loss would signal the end of Mundine’s career as it would effectively end his chances of securing an elusive super-fight with superstar Floyd Mayweather.

While seen as a relatively unrealistic dream this late in Mundine’s career, a victory could potentially edge him closer.

As reported yesterday, the “Next Mayweather” Demetrius Andrade looms as Mundine’s next opponent should he get over Clottey.

A victory over Andrade would put The Man on Mayweather’s radar, but he knows better than to look that far ahead.

“This will be one of my hardest fights, he has been in with the best of the best and is very dangerous,” Mundine said of Clottey.

“He can box, he can punch, he is an all-rounder that I’m trying to be.”

Will Joshua Clottey put an end to Anthony Mundine’s career? Vote in the poll below and leave your comments.

Watch the live coverage of tonight’s fight from 7.30pm EST on Main Event.