Nathan Cleverly vs Dean Francis (for the British title)

[Asterix]

Unbeaten light-heavyweight hope Nathan Cleverly has secured a British title tilt with champion Dean Francis.

The 21-year-old's clash with experienced Francis is provisionally scheduled for 10 October at Everton Park Sports Centre in Liverpool.

Blackwood boxer Cleverly has won all 12 of his fights and is trained by Joe Calzaghe's father and coach Enzo.

Francis, 34, has won 30 (24 by knock-out) and lost just three pro fights since his debut in 1994.

Francis took the title from Tony Oakey in his last outing in June and is also the Commonwealth light-heavyweight champion.

Francis is unbeaten since stepping up from super-middleweight to light-heavyweight in 2003.

He represents a significant step up in class of opponent for Cleverly, who senior stable-mate Joe Calzaghe says will one day rule the world.

Cleverly's last outing was against Antonio Baker in April when he became the first Welshman to fight in Las Vegas for 25 years.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/7562930.stm

Who will win?

[chesh]

I think Francis still has far too much for the relatively inexperienced Cleverley. I see a mid-rounds stoppage for Dean. Cleverley has potential, but I think this has come a little too soon for him.

[Gray-Fox]

Hopefully Francis does him.

[Autobarn]

Hopefully Francis breaks him down and outclasses him.

However, you never know what Francis' shoulder is going to be like. It held up vs Oakey but went a couple of years ago vs Eastwood. Admittedly he was carrying considerably more weight and had a man who'd campaigned at heavyweight leaning on him.

Francis is class, but he's getting on 34 or 35. Ceverly is classic Warren material. Raw, but fast hands and with fast feet. Get him the fight at the right time, and he can win. I'm not bothered about Cleverly, but he is FRESH.

Francis has capped his career off marvellously, stopping Oakey (for the British title) and McKenzie (for the Commonwealth). But he wasn't at his best vs the tall Gbenga. Cleverly seems fairly tall for a super middle/light heavy. Reach will come into play, and if Francis is wary about throwing the right, it could hinder him in a chess match.

[Wake up call]

Nathan's thoughts on the fight.

http://www.secondsout.com/UK/news.cfm?ccs=228&cs=27873

[Coco]

I think Francis will def win, i've never really rated Cleverly.
However if SN are willing to take the fight they must be very confident, it's rare for a SN fighter to lose.
Unless of course FW has secured options, and it is Francis he wants to take further

[berealman]

fair play to nathan for taking the fight, so
Many prospects are protected. I think he
Will be soundly beaten though!

[Gray-Fox]

I can envisage how Cleverly could win. Workrate and good use of his jab. However, as I said, Francis should stop him or bust him up.

[EddieShredder]

I still haven't seen Cleverly box, but have read enough that suggests he's a good prospect...

That said.... even though he's past his prime, Dean Francis is still a quality operator. For my money, if it hadn't been for injuries and "distractions"), he would have won a genuine world title, and could have been better than Calzaghe and Woods....

If Cleverly wins this one, i'll be very impressed. If he loses, no shame in it... good to see a "rated" prospect being matched tough... take it as a lesson, like Haye/Thompson, and learn from it.

[Horse]

Unless of course FW has secured options, and it is Francis he wants to take further

Isn't Francis already a Sports Network fighter? I thought he signed for them late last year.

[Autobarn]

FW talked of the success of his fighters in British title fights and listed Francis beating Oakey as an example.

[The_Don1]

Francis is an SN fighter,

Cleverly isn't ready for this, I haven't been impressed with him on the two occasions I've seen (on the last two Calzaghe undercards) expect a late stoppage or a points win for Francis.

[whiskey]

Although the enzo-connection may lose him some fans and the SN connection will also make us wonder if he is cannon fodder, but he seems not too bad to me and a decent enough kid at British level.

I think he'll look good against Francis for spells, but i see him losing at some point when Francis catches him flush as Nathan does not strike me as a banger and Dean will start walking him down and using his experience.

Like others have said, maybe he needs more experience and this opportunity has come to soon for him.

[Dioufy]

I dunno on this one. Francis looked good against Oakey but he tired after three or four rounds and I felt Oakey tired with him. Cleverly's gonna surely have a good workrate with him being an Enzo Calzaghe fighter so I give him a chance to outwork Dean if he avoids Francis' power in the first few rounds. I mean, don't get me wrong, I am still picking Francis but unless Francis gets to him early then I can envisage Cleverly picking off a late TKO or points victory. I think this is a cracking move by Sports Network because win or lose, Nathan will benefit remarkably.

[the patriot]

I cant believe that Cleverly has only had 12 fights since turning pro in 2005, christ, didn't tyson have 18 fights in his first year as pro (granted they never lasted that long)

Surely he should have been alot busier in his first 1 or 2 years, or has he suffered from injuries?

I can't see him beating Francis on what I've seen from him so far.

[The_Don1]

I cant believe that Cleverly has only had 12 fights since turning pro in 2005, christ, didn't tyson have 18 fights in his first year as pro (granted they never lasted that long)

Surely he should have been alot busier in his first 1 or 2 years, or has he suffered from injuries?

I can't see him beating Francis on what I've seen from him so far.

He's been doing a degree at Uni, I guess being an undergraduate and keeping up with the demands of coursework doesn't mix well with an active boxing career.

[Coco]

I cant believe that Cleverly has only had 12 fights since turning pro in 2005, christ, didn't tyson have 18 fights in his first year as pro (granted they never lasted that long)

Surely he should have been alot busier in his first 1 or 2 years, or has he suffered from injuries?

I can't see him beating Francis on what I've seen from him so far.

He's been doing a degree at Uni, I guess being an undergraduate and keeping up with the demands of coursework doesn't mix well with an active boxing career.

Being an under graduate mixes much better with being a pro than having to hold down a part time job

[the patriot]

I cant believe that Cleverly has only had 12 fights since turning pro in 2005, christ, didn't tyson have 18 fights in his first year as pro (granted they never lasted that long)

Surely he should have been alot busier in his first 1 or 2 years, or has he suffered from injuries?

I can't see him beating Francis on what I've seen from him so far.

He's been doing a degree at Uni, I guess being an undergraduate and keeping up with the demands of coursework doesn't mix well with an active boxing career.

I'm a cabbie in Cardiff (I think thats where he studies) and believe me, them students spend more time on the lash than studying. I would've thought he'd have plenty of time to train.

[black panther]

I could see Nathan lasting a few rounds and even giving Francis some problems with his height and reach but if Francis is on form and his shoulder holds out he should stop Cleverly in about 8.

[DG.]

Fwank just trying to destroy Enzo's gym if you ask me.

[Coco]

Fwank just trying to destroy Enzo's gym if you ask me.

To be honest that occured to me!
Maybe Enzo Macc is FW's only top of the bill fighter left in Wales now, so there won't be the work on the undercards, this is why it's sink or swim time!
And whatever happens, FW will arrive with the champ and leave with the champ!
On a sidenote Gavin Rees was claiming he dropped Bradley Pryce in sparring, on Facebook yesterday

[leforge]

Bradley pryce can do well, Gavin Rees can come back. I think Cleverly will benefit from the experince.

[Max Molyneux]

Could be a tough fight. Francis Is easier to hit because of the shoulder when before that he would of destroyed these kind of fighters years go.

Upset Is possible.

[Poncey]

Don't rate Cleverly. I always maintain he should've lost to Joey Vegas on the Calzaghe Kessler undercard.

Gotta go with local lad Francis over 12 rounds.