is Cleverly in a lose/lose situation???

[jBacca]

If Clev wins though he gets the WBO title.

[leforge]

Cleverly never headlined a bill in Wales. Has he got a fanbase he should have been fighting in Wales for this.

[taffytoon]

Nathan will be crowned the full champ tonight and then whoever he fights on Saturday will be challenging for the world title. In answer to your question though yes he is on a lose lose situation.

[Coco]

He can't complain about getting this fight for the WBO strap, it ain't gonna add to his legacy tho!

[ShadrachSimmo]

I'll use Bellew for example as this is now on the Boxrec schedule.....

If Clev wins comfortably within a few rounds people will say Bellew took the fight on short notice so that was always gonna be the outcome....

If Clev wins on points then people will say 'how did a half fit Bellew take Cleverly the distance'??

If Bellew wins then it'll undermine Clev's entire career so far and people will will say has been built up and not as good as his record suggests....


Just my thoughts but i hope its not another Mohammedi style fight. Cleverly has trained for Braehmer, not AN other.

You make some valid points but i dont think it's lose/lose. If he wins he's a world champion. That's a winner in my book.

[apophenic]

this isn't lose / lose in the slightest.

i appreciate that clev isn't going to win many plaudits concerning his actual boxing ability regardless of the outcome...BUUUT - remember he doesn't have to take this fight...it's a risky one for him....but he has, apparently chosen to do so and give bomber a chance....thereby pretty much saving the event and giving the fans a match we all want to see.

so to me, regardless of the outcome, i think Clev deserves maximum respect for actually agreein to a risky last minute replacement like bellew....

[SteveDow]

It's more a case of Bellew being in a win-win situation for me. As long as he doesn't get absolutely humiliated Bellew can always legitimately use the reason that he came in on two days notice for losing the fight and that had he had more time we would have been better prepared.

The fight will also give Bellew massive exposure and it must be by far a career high payday.

In addition, it may actually help Bellew that he has not had so much time to think about the fight as he is more likely to go for it rather than try to work out a strategy of outboxing Cleverly which would always fail in my opinion. He can only win this by stoppage.

Finally, Cleverly has prepared for a southpaw in Braehmer and we saw with his last performance that he found it difficult to adjust when thrown in at the last minute with a fighter of the opposite stance. Therefore while Cleverly will undoubtedly be more "fight fit" he also will have to make last minute adjustments which he will not have anticipated.

[stujones]

It's more a case of Bellew being in a win-win situation for me. As long as he doesn't get absolutely humiliated Bellew can always legitimately use the reason that he came in on two days notice for losing the fight and that had he had more time we would have been better prepared.

The fight will also give Bellew massive exposure and it must be by far a career high payday.

In addition, it may actually help Bellew that he has not had so much time to think about the fight as he is more likely to go for it rather than try to work out a strategy of outboxing Cleverly which would always fail in my opinion. He can only win this by stoppage.

Finally, Cleverly has prepared for a southpaw in Braehmer and we saw with his last performance that he found it difficult to adjust when thrown in at the last minute with a fighter of the opposite stance. Therefore while Cleverly will undoubtedly be more "fight fit" he also will have to make last minute adjustments which he will not have anticipated.

I don't think he is in a win/win situation personally - if he gets KO'd in a couple going to be very hard for him to comeback from.

This fight had the potential to be the "Groves vs Degale" of 2012 - but possibly on a bigger scale and with a bigger prize on the line. If Bomber gets KO'd early down goes that opportunity. Look how long it took John Ruiz to gain some credibility after his loss to Tua (and he never fought David again).

That is one of a number of reasons why I don't want the fight yet or think its a good decision by Warren. If its a belter ending in a split decision either way, then the gamble by Frank would have paid off.

[wadey]

this isn't lose / lose in the slightest.

i appreciate that clev isn't going to win many plaudits concerning his actual boxing ability regardless of the outcome...BUUUT - remember he doesn't have to take this fight...it's a risky one for him....but he has, apparently chosen to do so and give bomber a chance....thereby pretty much saving the event and giving the fans a match we all want to see.

so to me, regardless of the outcome, i think Clev deserves maximum respect for actually agreein to a risky last minute replacement like bellew....

If he doesn't take the fight he doesn't get paid, its not as tho Cleverly has made millions and can afford to waste 3 months preparing for a fight for absolutely nothing.

[apophenic]

this isn't lose / lose in the slightest.

i appreciate that clev isn't going to win many plaudits concerning his actual boxing ability regardless of the outcome...BUUUT - remember he doesn't have to take this fight...it's a risky one for him....but he has, apparently chosen to do so and give bomber a chance....thereby pretty much saving the event and giving the fans a match we all want to see.

so to me, regardless of the outcome, i think Clev deserves maximum respect for actually agreein to a risky last minute replacement like bellew....

If he doesn't take the fight he doesn't get paid, its not as tho Cleverly has made millions and can afford to waste 3 months preparing for a fight for absolutely nothing.

i don't believe he's going to be on the breadline if he doesn't fight mate...i doubt that has entered his thought process too significantly..

and he didnt have to fight bellew...he could have opted for someone less risky.

[tonyevs]

My full respect to Tony Bellew for taking it at such short notice.
How has his weight been? Could be crucial??

[MightyWarrior]

No he'll get big credit if he manages to take out Bellew in style. He's showing massive balls by taking on his big punching local rival on such short notice - it's a fight that could go seriously wrong for him if he's not 100% on his game in the early rounds. It's not like he's got an exceptional defence.

[whiskey]

Err.

I don't think people will whinge about their fight. It's not ideal but hardly their fault.

It's a crushing thing to go through for Clev - you know, train your butt off for months to take on a dangerous southpaw champion and then suddenly he's struck down with yellow fever and you end up against rookie professional with a big orthadox right hand and an appetite for the big time.

When Froch first found out Inkin had pulled out, he took the call whilst on a train. About 15 minutes he walked off the train leaving his coat, his kit bag with his gloves, wallet and laptop in it. Fortunately someone banged on the window !

He was all at sea for an hour. Then a bit later when his head cleared, he was angry and then just plain fed up for the rest of the week. Knocks your training big time.

That mother f*cker Denis Inkin did it twice on the spin. And they produced nothing from a doctor - it was visa, then hand then back problems all pouring out of different sources.

Next thing he fights for Calzaghe's vacant WBO belt.

The sad thing amongst that card as well, was the fact that John Murray vs Fireball Fewkes was set for the 29th March show, then it fell apart when it got shifted back to the summer.

But yeah, Im sure that was the same promoter as Braehmer.

[SteveDow]

It's more a case of Bellew being in a win-win situation for me. As long as he doesn't get absolutely humiliated Bellew can always legitimately use the reason that he came in on two days notice for losing the fight and that had he had more time we would have been better prepared.

The fight will also give Bellew massive exposure and it must be by far a career high payday.

In addition, it may actually help Bellew that he has not had so much time to think about the fight as he is more likely to go for it rather than try to work out a strategy of outboxing Cleverly which would always fail in my opinion. He can only win this by stoppage.

Finally, Cleverly has prepared for a southpaw in Braehmer and we saw with his last performance that he found it difficult to adjust when thrown in at the last minute with a fighter of the opposite stance. Therefore while Cleverly will undoubtedly be more "fight fit" he also will have to make last minute adjustments which he will not have anticipated.

I don't think he is in a win/win situation personally - if he gets KO'd in a couple going to be very hard for him to comeback from.

This fight had the potential to be the "Groves vs Degale" of 2012 - but possibly on a bigger scale and with a bigger prize on the line. If Bomber gets KO'd early down goes that opportunity. Look how long it took John Ruiz to gain some credibility after his loss to Tua (and he never fought David again).

That is one of a number of reasons why I don't want the fight yet or think its a good decision by Warren. If its a belter ending in a split decision either way, then the gamble by Frank would have paid off.

That's why I have cavaeted my response by saying "As long as he doesn't get absolutely humiliated ". If he loses a competitive fight it would not harm his career at all.

[Coco]

Clev would have much more to complain about if they couldn't find him a fight, he will still be getting the same money for fighting a relative novice champion whose whiskers are in serious doubt.
That doesn't take balls, he must think it's Xmas

[Asterix]

A defence of a World title, a lose-lose situation? No. No.

Who cares what people say after Cleverly beats Bellew? It will be forgotten after his next fight anyway. As long as he wins, that's what matters. And don't forget Cleverly is getting paid for this.

[kamicazze]

Err.

I don't think people will whinge about their fight. It's not ideal but hardly their fault.

It's a crushing thing to go through for Clev - you know, train your butt off for months to take on a dangerous southpaw champion and then suddenly he's struck down with yellow fever and you end up against rookie professional with a big orthadox right hand and an appetite for the big time.

When Froch first found out Inkin had pulled out, he took the call whilst on a train. About 15 minutes he walked off the train leaving his coat, his kit bag with his gloves, wallet and laptop in it. Fortunately someone banged on the window !

He was all at sea for an hour. Then a bit later when his head cleared, he was angry and then just plain fed up for the rest of the week. Knocks your training big time.

That mother f*cker Denis Inkin did it twice on the spin. And they produced nothing from a doctor - it was visa, then hand then back problems all pouring out of different sources.

Next thing he fights for Calzaghe's vacant WBO belt.

The sad thing amongst that card as well, was the fact that John Murray vs Fireball Fewkes was set for the 29th March show, then it fell apart when it got shifted back to the summer.

But yeah, Im sure that was the same promoter as Braehmer.

How did you know all of this

[Asterix]

How did you know all of this

He's friends with Froch.

[Counter-puncher]

Err.

I don't think people will whinge about their fight. It's not ideal but hardly their fault.

It's a crushing thing to go through for Clev - you know, train your butt off for months to take on a dangerous southpaw champion and then suddenly he's struck down with yellow fever and you end up against rookie professional with a big orthadox right hand and an appetite for the big time.

When Froch first found out Inkin had pulled out, he took the call whilst on a train. About 15 minutes he walked off the train leaving his coat, his kit bag with his gloves, wallet and laptop in it. Fortunately someone banged on the window !

He was all at sea for an hour. Then a bit later when his head cleared, he was angry and then just plain fed up for the rest of the week. Knocks your training big time.

That mother f*cker Denis Inkin did it twice on the spin. And they produced nothing from a doctor - it was visa, then hand then back problems all pouring out of different sources.

Next thing he fights for Calzaghe's vacant WBO belt.

The sad thing amongst that card as well, was the fact that John Murray vs Fireball Fewkes was set for the 29th March show, then it fell apart when it got shifted back to the summer.

But yeah, Im sure that was the same promoter as Braehmer.

How did you know all of this

good post gomez.

he's a friend of Froch's, mate, is how he knows.

[apophenic]

whose whiskers are in serious doubt.

nonsense.

he got up each time straight away.

[Coco]

Clev would have much more to complain about if they couldn't find him a fight, he will still be getting the same money for fighting a relative novice champion whose whiskers are in serious doubt.
That doesn't take balls, he must think it's Xmas

I forgot to say weight drained too! He must think it's his b'day as well!

[apophenic]

Clev would have much more to complain about if they couldn't find him a fight, he will still be getting the same money for fighting a relative novice champion whose whiskers are in serious doubt.
That doesn't take balls, he must think it's Xmas

I forgot to say weight drained too! He must think it's his b'day as well!

clearly, on paper, he has the advantage...but this is still a risky fight for him...

there's no pressure on bomber....he's just expected to put up a decent fight...most won't give him a chance as you aren't...

[Coco]

I give him a chance, I don't think Clev is that great, but the Welshman won't get a better defence, and he is getting world title money