Nathan Cleverly - Ideal step up

[Asterix]

Who do you think would be the ideal 'stepping up in class' opponent for Nathan Cleverly? He's got Brancalion next, a guy appears to be the next step down from European level.

I think Jeff Lacy would be good. Thoughts?

[stujones]

Lacy wouldn't be bad. Silvino Branco did okay against Pascall but is finally showing his age now. Prince Baju Adamu wouldn't be that bad.

Maybe looking at what Byron Mitchell and Kabery Salem (is he still fighting) did to Joe - that could bring in some profile to Cleverly.

[Asterix]

Lacy wouldn't be bad. Silvino Branco did okay against Pascall but is finally showing his age now. Prince Baju Adamu wouldn't be that bad.

Maybe looking at what Byron Mitchell and Kabery Salem (is he still fighting) did to Joe - that could bring in some profile to Cleverly.

Mitchell might be too dangerous. I think he's still got a big punch. I think Salem is retired. Branco sounds like a good shout. I haven't seen Prince Badi Ajamu fight.

[MrBoxingUK2]

after brancalion maybe a defence of the ebu title then come summer time next year he will get his maths degree out the way. then go after somebody like tavoris cloud. i think clev would soundly outbox him. he didn't impress me against clinton woods. he is small for a lhw and clev is really tall. really like the look of cleverly. still needs to work on his defence and look to throw more combinations instead of looking for the ko punch.

[stujones]

Ajamu is a come forward fighter, generally gets outclassed when he steps it up. Beaten some fairly decent fighters and was game (for a little while at least) against Roy Jones. Has an excellent chin.

That guy who Woods beat prior to his fight with Cloud wouldn't be that bad a fight. He was game as they come, just would surely be too small for Clev. Muriqi or something like that.

[Asterix]

after brancalion maybe a defence of the ebu title then come summer time next year he will get his maths degree out the way. then go after somebody like tavoris cloud. i think clev would soundly outbox him. he didn't impress me against clinton woods. he is small for a lhw and clev is really tall. really like the look of cleverly. still needs to work on his defence and look to throw more combinations instead of looking for the ko punch.

Going for Cloud just like that would be crazy. He may not have impressed you, but Cloud is a very good boxer and extremely tough. No-one but the best in the division would have a chance of beating Cloud right now, imo.

[Asterix]

Ajamu is a come forward fighter, generally gets outclassed when he steps it up. Beaten some fairly decent fighters and was game (for a little while at least) against Roy Jones. Has an excellent chin.

That guy who Woods beat prior to his fight with Cloud wouldn't be that bad a fight. He was game as they come, just would surely be too small for Clev. Muriqi or something like that.

Elvir Muriqi W 37 (KO 23) - L 5 (KO 1) - D 0

Good suggestion again. It sounded like Woods didn't have too much trouble with him, and Tarver only did because he was out of shape and lethargic (but I don't rate Tarver that highly anyway).

[danieljenkins]

jeff lacys a perfect match up ! his power has allways been overated and is shot to fornicate

[stujones]

On a side issue, I notice we all seem to be looking for a "name" fighter and a bit of a step up, but a fighter who we don't anticipate giving any problems. We are LOOKING for that opponent as an ideal.

However, when Khan announced his fights with Gomez and Kristjansen - at a younger age. He got ridiculed for fighting someone a) too small (in Gomez's case) and b) Cannot punch (in Kristjansen's case).

Why are we looking to see Cleverly progess slowly, against named (or high ranked) fighters he can beat. But when Khan did this he got lambasted.

Having said that I do wonder if FW announced any of these names as his opponent, after Brancalion, will he then get the critcisms.

[MrBoxingUK2]

after brancalion maybe a defence of the ebu title then come summer time next year he will get his maths degree out the way. then go after somebody like tavoris cloud. i think clev would soundly outbox him. he didn't impress me against clinton woods. he is small for a lhw and clev is really tall. really like the look of cleverly. still needs to work on his defence and look to throw more combinations instead of looking for the ko punch.

Going for Cloud just like that would be crazy. He may not have impressed you, but Cloud is a very good boxer and extremely tough. No-one but the best in the division would have a chance of beating Cloud right now, imo.

why would it be crazy?? you sound like allegedly. he beat a shadow of clinton woods. at some stage you have to take risks. not wait for some fraud of a champion to come along then fight him. that is what wazza does all the time. i knw there is no need to rush clev. but you seem to think cloud is something special. clev jabs his face off for 12 rounds.

[Counter-puncher]

On a side issue, I notice we all seem to be looking for a "name" fighter and a bit of a step up, but a fighter who we don't anticipate giving any problems. We are LOOKING for that opponent as an ideal.

However, when Khan announced his fights with Gomez and Kristjansen - at a younger age. He got ridiculed for fighting someone a) too small (in Gomez's case) and b) Cannot punch (in Kristjansen's case).

Why are we looking to see Cleverly progess slowly, against named (or high ranked) fighters he can beat. But when Khan did this he got lambasted.

Having said that I do wonder if FW announced any of these names as his opponent, after Brancalion, will he then get the critcisms.

good post asterix

the asterix known as stujones, that is

[Asterix]

On a side issue, I notice we all seem to be looking for a "name" fighter and a bit of a step up, but a fighter who we don't anticipate giving any problems. We are LOOKING for that opponent as an ideal.

However, when Khan announced his fights with Gomez and Kristjansen - at a younger age. He got ridiculed for fighting someone a) too small (in Gomez's case) and b) Cannot punch (in Kristjansen's case).

Why are we looking to see Cleverly progess slowly, against named (or high ranked) fighters he can beat. But when Khan did this he got lambasted.

Having said that I do wonder if FW announced any of these names as his opponent, after Brancalion, will he then get the critcisms.

Cleverly has been a little bit more humble than Khan. I created this topic to see who people think would be good for Cleverly to fight to advance as a fighter, not just as a name on his record. I think he'd learn a decent amount against most of the names posted. Probably a lot more than against Courtney Fry or Brancalion, imo. I think the difference is what you call positive matchmaking vs negative matchmaking. The dividing line is hard to find, though.

[Asterix]

Going for Cloud just like that would be crazy. He may not have impressed you, but Cloud is a very good boxer and extremely tough. No-one but the best in the division would have a chance of beating Cloud right now, imo.

why would it be crazy?? you sound like allegedly. he beat a shadow of clinton woods. at some stage you have to take risks. not wait for some fraud of a champion to come along then fight him. that is what wazza does all the time. i knw there is no need to rush clev. but you seem to think cloud is something special. clev jabs his face off for 12 rounds.

I said why I thought it would be crazy. You and I differ on our opinions of Cloud. It's good though. Variety is something to love.

[The_Don1]

The difference between Khan and Clev is that Clev is going the traditional route and taking on the best in his division at all levels underneath world level, that's why he's getting more respect. That said it's easier for Clev to do that given the domestic light heavy scene is one of the weakest divisions. Personally I think he should consolidate his position as British/Commonwealth and future European champion, get his degree out of the way and then look up to step in world class after that. I don't see the point in him fighting Lacy, everyone would just say he's shot to sh*t if he beats him anyway. I reckon this debat should be saved until this time next year after his academic studies are over.

[stujones]

On a side issue, I notice we all seem to be looking for a "name" fighter and a bit of a step up, but a fighter who we don't anticipate giving any problems. We are LOOKING for that opponent as an ideal.

However, when Khan announced his fights with Gomez and Kristjansen - at a younger age. He got ridiculed for fighting someone a) too small (in Gomez's case) and b) Cannot punch (in Kristjansen's case).

Why are we looking to see Cleverly progess slowly, against named (or high ranked) fighters he can beat. But when Khan did this he got lambasted.

Having said that I do wonder if FW announced any of these names as his opponent, after Brancalion, will he then get the critcisms.

Cleverly has been a little bit more humble than Khan. I created this topic to see who people think would be good for Cleverly to fight to advance as a fighter, not just as a name on his record. I think he'd learn a decent amount against most of the names posted. Probably a lot more than against Courtney Fry or Brancalion, imo. I think the difference is what you call positive matchmaking vs negative matchmaking. The dividing line is hard to find, though.

Yes, but with Khan it did seem people wanted him to fight someone who could take his head off. Fair enough, he had many fighters on his resume that were worthy of criticism - but it did seem all of his opponents, up to, and INCLUDING a world champion got criticised.

I've always said that a sign of a good fighter, and a well matched fighter, is if he can get a world title within 4 years of turning pro (especially an Olympian). Khan was a year out, so not that bad.

I agree with the posts that Clev should focus on the Maths for now.... as he is so close to getting it.

As for Clev.

[alexpaterson]

Branco would be quite good, it's a shame Clinton Woods retired that would be a great fight for both parties

[Asterix]

Yes, but with Khan it did seem people wanted him to fight someone who could take his head off. Fair enough, he had many fighters on his resume that were worthy of criticism - but it did seem all of his opponents, up to, and INCLUDING a world champion got criticised.

I wasn't disagreeing with you. I agree with you.

[steve689]

Brancalion is a good fight next for Cleverly. As long as he stops the Italian (which I think he will) because the judges' will shaft him big time on the cards.