Nathan Cleverly

[whiskey]

I thought for a 21-year old part time student he did pretty well against the durable Tony Oakey.

Sure there were a few tangibles, such as the prep time Oakey had, but otherwise he did well for a lad his age.

Not sure if he'd have beaten Francis, but still..

Thoughts ?

[whiskey]

'Clever Boy' also has a website nowadays too:-

http://www.nathancleverly.co.uk/

[stujones]

He did well, hard to judge him against Francis.... Francis struggled more vs Oakey.... but that was like the 80% of the Oakey that fought Francis. The intensity wasn't there with Oakey, maybe it was through Cleverley's awkardness/skills, lack of prep time, or just now wear and tear - but I was hoping to see Cleverley tested a bit more.

[Autobarn]

And Francis, a former super middle in his mid 30s, stopped Oakey...

Cleverly looked useful, as we say over here.

[stujones]

And Francis, a former super middle in his mid 30s, stopped Oakey...

Cleverly looked useful, as we say over here.

Francis did stop Oakey, but there was a big doubt about the result untill the latter rounds.... There was little doubt about this one from the opening minute. Oakey just wasn't near as intense... maybe it just wasn't there cause of his prep time or just not in the tank (anymore... remember he's had some toughies and has had his moments of unproffesionalism)... maybe I am doing Cleveley a huge disservice.

I'd like to see a rematch with Oakey, a fully prepared Oakey, before passing judgement about Cleverley's levels.

[dapug]

And Francis, a former super middle in his mid 30s, stopped Oakey...

Cleverly looked useful, as we say over here.

Francis did stop Oakey, but there was a big doubt about the result untill the latter rounds.... There was little doubt about this one from the opening minute. Oakey just wasn't near as intense... maybe it just wasn't there cause of his prep time or just not in the tank (anymore... remember he's had some toughies and has had his moments of unproffesionalism)... maybe I am doing Cleveley a huge disservice.

I'd like to see a rematch with Oakey, a fully prepared Oakey, before passing judgement about Cleverley's levels.

Oakey was in full training he was to box on Maloneys card Oct 17 with Fry for the English Title, So it was a good show from the young man.
Let not forget how long Oakey has been around the body is not the same. You could see Oakey slowing down as rounds when by, He can only box one way there is never a plan b with Oakey. The question is where does Oakey go now. Can Maloney bring him back from this or is it goodbye?

[jBacca]

You all know more than me, is Oakey hard to put down? Didn't seem like Cleverly had the power last night, am not sure whether that's due to his age or opponent.

[Autobarn]

Oakey's very hard to stop. Francis has had years off from boxing. Francis cracked that chin, and I don't think a stocky brawler like Oakey was going to be quite the same again. With Francis v Oakey, the stakes were higher.

Cleverly is tall, young, fast & fresh. He got a decent result.

[jBacca]

Did you see Bellew?

How do you think he'd fair if thrown in against Cleverly (like he wants)?

[Kenzi_1985]

I'm yet to see anything of him, and heard he came through Oakey pretty well. Is it a bright looking future for this guy?

[the patriot]

If he had a decent punch I think he could go far, unfortunatley he hasn't.

His chin hasn't really been tested yet either (I don't think)

IMO he will turn out to be a good domestic/European level fighter, if he somehow managed to put a bit of beef behind them punches of his, well, who knows ?????

[WildWaylon]

If I was using a points scale of 0 to 10 with British champion at 5 and World at 10, I would place Cleverly around 6 or 7 at best. Thats about the same position I would give Amir Khan. Cleverly doesnt have a punch but he can take a fair whack so he has to get points wins. I think he can do that up to a certain level but sooner or later I think he will find that level and get beaten. I think he is capable of getting the British and maybe Euro even.

[WildWaylon]

Did you see Bellew?

How do you think he'd fair if thrown in against Cleverly (like he wants)?

Bellew is not ready, he would lose.

[Deserter]

The problem with Nathan is he cant punch that hard to make a dent at the top level.

I think there's every possibility that Cleverley may be one of those boxers who develops a punch as his career progresses, whether that's through developing greater 'man strength' for want of a better phrase, or through sitting down on his shots more effectively, timing them better etc... he was still guilty of amateurish flurries of arm punches at times against Oakey, though I thought he mixed his shots up well at times. For a young, relatively inexperienced fighter he throws a beautiful uppercut and the left hook to the body in the early rounds was a lovely shot as well.

[Deserter]

Good points deserter, dont think it will happen though.

You may well be right fella - I'm not entirely convinced myself to be honest, but I just feel it's too early to rule out given his age - he's clearly going to 'fill out' more.
It's also easy to overlook the fact that this was his first fight at light-heavy and he was up against someone renowned for his durability.
I don't think we'll see a Tommy Hearns style transformation, but I can see Cleverley stopping a few through attrition as he becomes more accustomed to light-heavy, as he's a clean, accurate hitter.

[whiskey]

If Cleverly does fight and beat Francis (no certainty) then he will have achieved a lot more than the other 21-year old millionaire from Bolton wont he ?

[Chris W 1982]

Did you see Bellew?

How do you think he'd fair if thrown in against Cleverly (like he wants)?

Bellew is not ready, he would lose.

Bellew thinks very highly of himself and i dont no why. The problem with Nathan is he cant punch that hard to make a dent at the top level. Bellew thinks he punches hard but he's not that hard a puncher.

Bellew is an exceptional puncher.