Who's next for Nathan Cleverly?

[dondada]

An excellent, comprehensive overview of Clev's options from fellow Welshman, Dewi Powell:

http://news.boxrec.com/news/2010/whos-n ... n-cleverly

[Autobarn]

FW said to BS that he'd no doubt cleverly would be a world champ in a year, or within a year. was this spurred on by being jilted by khan, was it part of an already specific plan? and can we take FW's word for it?

there was a news piece posted on here very recently, and i think that gives the best indication of what cleverly will do next. they mentioned karo murat, but on the assumption that cleverly and karo murat would square off for a presumably vacant WBO title. but universum have a grip on the title. braehmer may be able to defend it before going to prison. and universum's zsolt erdei -forget that he vacated the belt. the man has about 10 WBO defenses so if he wants that title back, he won't have to wait long. most convenient, and biggest, for universum would be braehmer v erdei, the former passing it onto the latter, so universum still have a 175 champ.

ideally i think it's cleverly v murat for the vacant title. things don't always fall into place so perfectly, though. could cleverly end up fighting an ageing, but very skilled, erdei? either way, i can't see him facing anyone too impressive in the interval.

can't see clev going for the WBC strap, which is held by pascal, a man who is fighting with manic intensity even with a dislocated shoulder. and who also draws big crowds in canada, not to mention being on the verge of an HBO contract. and dawson is the top contender for pascal. dawson MAY set his sights elsewhere: IBF champ cloud is defending vs glen johnson pretty soon. dawson could take on the winner for the Ring belt, most likely; meaning he can be a world champ without paying sanctioning fees. so MAYBE the IBF belt becomes vacant, as it obviously once did for clinton woods, away from the major action.

i'm optimistic about cleverly. i wouldn't say excited, i wouldn't sad thrilled. he'll get there, but probably not in the most direct, immediate, and satisfying "take no prisoners" style. he's good, he rises to the challenge, but surely there'll be more fry/brancalion calibre opponents?

[whatashambles]

I've come on here before saying he should fight Lacy. It would be a good fight for him because Lacy is still a name but doesn't pose much threat. He'd also be a good barometer to compare where he's at in terms of other world level fighters like Taylor and Jones. There's also be the invetible comparisons to Calzaghe which would be a good publicity tool

[CheckHook]

I'd like to see him take his time and make a few defenses of his European title first. He needs to get his degree out of the way and face a few tough but winnable opponents before stepping up in class. Dawson, Pascal, Erdei, Cloud and Johnson to name a few would be big favourites against Cleverly right now. Another year developing and improving wont hurt him and then he can walk into a title shot against any of those guys and give a good account of himself.

[Autobarn]

I've come on here before saying he should fight Lacy. It would be a good fight for him because Lacy is still a name but doesn't pose much threat. He'd also be a good barometer to compare where he's at in terms of other world level fighters like Taylor and Jones. There's also be the invetible comparisons to Calzaghe which would be a good publicity tool

i'm sure the welsh fans will want a good post calzaghe fihgter to cheer on. but i'm not so sure they will be allowed to mention the C-word in the media, in advertising, as they'd be giivng calzaghe promotions the publicity.

[15829]

what would he gain from fighting lacy, erdie is his manditory for the european that would be a good test for him

[CheckHook]

what would he gain from fighting lacy, erdie is his manditory for the european that would be a good test for him

Doubt Erdei will be making a challenge for the EBU title though. Can't see an undefeated two weight world champion stepping down to fight for a European belt. If that fight happens it will probably be for the WBO belt. I also think Erdei would beat Cleverly if they fight anytime soon. Erdei is one of the softest managed world champions, but he is a solid world class boxer and would be a cut above Cleverly. This time next year though, Erdei will be another year older and Cleverly will be another year better.

[whatashambles]

i'm sure the welsh fans will want a good post calzaghe fihgter to cheer on. but i'm not so sure they will be allowed to mention the C-word in the media, in advertising, as they'd be giivng calzaghe promotions the publicity.

There is no more Calzaghe promotions.

[ourkid1984]

Really enjoyed reading the article, does go to show how many options there are and there are still names being mentioned!

Some of the europeans seem dangerous and probably not that wise this early and I'm sure the IBF route looks most realistic.

Having a read of that article and made me think that the light heavy division would be good for super 6 but not sure if it's too close in the weights as the super middle one. Then I thought that quite a few weight classes would benefit with a super 6 comp as many weights are competitive and think it's a good way to bring boxing back to the masses.

Cleverly does look like he will have a long and exciting and very succesful career ahead of him.

[whiskey]

Good article and i'm a big Clev fan - but i think he should do his exams, have a couple of defences before heading further up the ladder. He has plenty of time to improve and then when he does step up he will give himself every chance to stay there.

[Asterix]

• Erdei won't be interested in Cleverly.
• Braehmer will obviously want to keep hold of the title, but Cleverly thinks he's going to jail.
• Universum will want Murat to fight for the vacant title on home soil.
• Frank Warren Promotions will want Cleverly to fight for the vacant title on home soil.

So, as I see it, the first fight is between the promoters.

As for Cleverly's next fight. I think it'll be Ovill McKenzie, if they can get him for the price they want.

[crusader]

Cleverly needs to make a few "easy" defenses of his EBU title before stepping it up to the next level against world class fighters like Murat, Uzelkov, Johnson and the others mentioned in the article. He says he is only boxing at 75% right now because of his studies, and he will need to be at 100% to score wins over world class opponents. I think he should first fight a guy like Mackenzie, and then step it up to a fighter like Kostecki, who put on a decent performance the one time I have seen him fight.

After some fights like this he should be going for a world title, and with more experience and all of his focus in boxing, he stands a chance against most top ten light heavyweights.

As for Lacy, does he really do that much for a fighters name nowadays? Everyone knows he's shot so Cleverly wouldn't gain any credibility beating him, and would Lacy fighting a guy who is virtually unknown in the U.S. really draw that much attention? Its not like hes in the ring with a huge name like Jones or Calzaghe, all of Lacy's fights with non-superstars have gone largely unnoticed.

For the record I think he would already have a solid chance beating Shumenov and Campillo, but Johnson, Cloud, Dawson, Pascal, and Erdei etc would be to much in my opinion.

[stujones]

Enzo Mac has stated that he could make Light Heavy if pushed and the right offer comes. I think that would be a good ticket seller and a good fight to raise his profile (which is close to non-exsitent) in Wales.

[Autobarn]

• Erdei won't be interested in Cleverly.
• Braehmer will obviously want to keep hold of the title, but Cleverly thinks he's going to jail.
• Universum will want Murat to fight for the vacant title on home soil.
• Frank Warren Promotions will want Cleverly to fight for the vacant title on home soil.

So, as I see it, the first fight is between the promoters.

As for Cleverly's next fight. I think it'll be Ovill McKenzie, if they can get him for the price they want.

t5he thing is, murat is with sauerland.

erdei gave up the WBO title at 175, won the WBC at cruiser. but he's vacated his cruiser title, so which title will he want back? he'll want the WBO title, and with him having so many defenses, he'll be ahead of cleverly, he'll get a chance first.

[Autobarn]

i wonder. are many of you excited about cleverly because he really is that good? or are you excited because he's a competent fighter and FW can get him a title AT THE RIGHT TIME, ONE THAT HE CAN KEEP FOR A LONG TIME?

it appears he's being steered toward a vacant WBO title. the hope appears to be a fight with the prospect/contender murat, NOT A TITLE HOLDER i.e. erdei, braehmer.

so basically, are some of us wishing for something that pissed us off last time? vacant title shot, defenses against nobodies, lots and lots of them. don't want to appear negative; just wondering...

[CheckHook]

i wonder. are many of you excited about cleverly because he really is that good? or are you excited because he's a competent fighter and FW can get him a title AT THE RIGHT TIME, ONE THAT HE CAN KEEP FOR A LONG TIME?

it appears he's being steered toward a vacant WBO title. the hope appears to be a fight with the prospect/contender murat, NOT A TITLE HOLDER i.e. erdei, braehmer.

so basically, are some of us wishing for something that pissed us off last time? vacant title shot, defenses against nobodies, lots and lots of them. don't want to appear negative; just wondering...

For my part, I am excited by him because he is a 22 year old who hasn't yet committed himself to full-time boxing but still managed to get to European level. I want to see him move to world level when he can mix with world class fight after fight, not before. When he has more experiance he can take a world title and mix on the world stage without fearing the other belt holders. If he were to sneak the WBO title now it wouldn't matter to me because he'd still have to avoid all the top dogs in order to hold onto it.

[taffytoon]

He is 22 and in no real rush, time is on his side 8) I honestly think that Clev like Bellew will fight anyone in front of him, at this stage in his career I would like him to make a couple of defenses of the EBU title, finish his studies and then give boxing 100% dedication


A year down the line he will be ready for a world title fight (as long as he keeps winning) and 18 Months down the line we will get to see an all british title fight between him and Tony Bellew (again as long as Tony keeps winning)

[Autobarn]

he is very good for such a young fighter. indeed, he is much better now than i thought he'd ever become. he didn't look so good in the fights setanta televised, for instance. i like how he's developed body punching, and he has some scalps that we recognise (oakey, mcintosh). i do definitely see some rough edges. don't see too much lateral movement. he does fight "small", leaning down. when he comes forward, he could be open to uppercuts.

what next for cleverly? i reckon some guys we probably haven't heard of, then perhaps a sudden title shot. we shall have to see what happens with the 2 universum fighters braehmer and erdei, before knowing for sure. i think he'll fight a german, when his big chance comes.

would love to see cleverly v erdei when - as someone said above - cleverly improves a bit more and when erdei declines a little more. erdei will get his title back, this year, of that i am pretty confident.

not TOO inspiring, the stuff you read - you know, ooh, er, we think the champ's (braehmer) going to prison so now's the time to have a shot

[alexpaterson]

The boy who fought Brahmer would be a good fight for him. He is tough and would give Clev a good fight but I dont think he has the quality to beat him and if Cleverly beats him impressively then it makes a big statement as Brahmer really did struggle with him.

[Autobarn]

sukhotsky? that was a good fight, him vs braehmer.

[stujones]

i wonder. are many of you excited about cleverly because he really is that good? or are you excited because he's a competent fighter and FW can get him a title AT THE RIGHT TIME, ONE THAT HE CAN KEEP FOR A LONG TIME?

it appears he's being steered toward a vacant WBO title. the hope appears to be a fight with the prospect/contender murat, NOT A TITLE HOLDER i.e. erdei, braehmer.

so basically, are some of us wishing for something that pissed us off last time? vacant title shot, defenses against nobodies, lots and lots of them. don't want to appear negative; just wondering...

I think its a good point actually. I think Cleverly is coming on well, and seems to have a great attitude towards the game. However, I just cannot see him beating the likes of Dawson etc.... still should be noted Cleverley hasn't beaten a champion yet..... well Mcintosh is the English champion... but its been vacant Commonwealth, vacant British, vacant European.... vacant world?

[crusader]

The boy who fought Brahmer would be a good fight for him. He is tough and would give Clev a good fight but I dont think he has the quality to beat him and if Cleverly beats him impressively then it makes a big statement as Brahmer really did struggle with him.

I have a feeling Universum will be looking to match Erdei with Sukhotsky if Brahemer has to vacate. It seems like a race to the title. If Universum gets there first Clev will surly have to win a final eliminator if he wants a shot as he will be presenting a big risk to any of Universum's boys.

[Autobarn]

i wonder. are many of you excited about cleverly because he really is that good? or are you excited because he's a competent fighter and FW can get him a title AT THE RIGHT TIME, ONE THAT HE CAN KEEP FOR A LONG TIME?

it appears he's being steered toward a vacant WBO title. the hope appears to be a fight with the prospect/contender murat, NOT A TITLE HOLDER i.e. erdei, braehmer.

so basically, are some of us wishing for something that pissed us off last time? vacant title shot, defenses against nobodies, lots and lots of them. don't want to appear negative; just wondering...

I think its a good point actually. I think Cleverly is coming on well, and seems to have a great attitude towards the game. However, I just cannot see him beating the likes of Dawson etc.... still should be noted Cleverley hasn't beaten a champion yet..... well Mcintosh is the English champion... but its been vacant Commonwealth, vacant British, vacant European.... vacant world?

not yet!

http://www.fightnews.com/?p=38090 revealingly titled, "Braehmer Defends April 24"

can't remember the opponent's name.

would cleverly fight as risky a fight as MURAT, for anything less than a vacant world title, I wonder? (Or would his handlers let him?) Murat would qualify as European title fight, as maybe world title elim. If they could get it as an elim, it might tick all the boxes. Who knows, might be one of those elim fights where the winner is declared world champ after the current cham p is gone (in this case, to prison).

[Bomber 1]

I'd be amazed if Enzo Mac can make 12st 7pds!! He'd be drained to F if you ask me BUT it's a good thought if he does!! Be a huge seller in Wales I think??

[Autobarn]

yeah he'd be far too skinny. imagine how much more vulnerable he would be.

also, macca really bulked up in his last few fights, so it would be harder to get the weight off. i liked him the weight he was for braithwaite. he looked lean and effective, that night.