Terrible mistake for Nathan Cleverly to fight Ilunga Makabu

[squared circle]

I can only think Clev's contract is coming to an end. Recent decisions have been bewildering.

Which decisions mate?

[Black Sam Bellamy]

Reading this thread you'd think Ilunga Makabu was the second coming ! Cleverley to outclass him and win a wide margin points decision.

[crusader]

There is a marked difference between being the second coming and being big and good enough to defeat Cleverly in his cruiser debut, which is coming immediately after a crushing loss. It also doesn't help Cleverly that he lacks power, wasn't that big even at 175, stands right in front of his opponents, and has porous defense. He is very much a fighter and not a boxer, and his style and attributes will make a move to a division filled with significantly bigger and stronger men a risky move and something he should acclimate to before fighting an arguably top 10 opponent.

You mention in a previous post that Clev would outbox Makabu, but you still haven't given examples of Cleverly showing any meaningful boxing skill against decent opponents. Sure, Clev may outwork him, but that will probably entail a lot of standing right in front of and leaving himself open to Makabu. I don't think many believe that a Makabu win is a sure thing, but it does seem to be a large possibility, especially given the context.

[Andrew]

There is a marked difference between being the second coming and being big and good enough to defeat Cleverly in his cruiser debut, which is coming immediately after a crushing loss. It also doesn't help Cleverly that he lacks power, wasn't that big even at 175, stands right in front of his opponents, and has porous defense. He is very much a fighter and not a boxer, and his style and attributes will make a move to a division filled with significantly bigger and stronger men a risky move and something he should acclimate to before fighting an arguably top 10 opponent.

You mention in a previous post that Clev would outbox Makabu, but you still haven't given examples of Cleverly showing any meaningful boxing skill against decent opponents. Sure, Clev may outwork him, but that will probably entail a lot of standing right in front of and leaving himself open to Makabu. I don't think many believe that a Makabu win is a sure thing, but it does seem to be a large possibility, especially given the context.

[taffytoon]

There is a marked difference between being the second coming and being big and good enough to defeat Cleverly in his cruiser debut, which is coming immediately after a crushing loss. It also doesn't help Cleverly that he lacks power, wasn't that big even at 175, stands right in front of his opponents, and has porous defense. He is very much a fighter and not a boxer, and his style and attributes will make a move to a division filled with significantly bigger and stronger men a risky move and something he should acclimate to before fighting an arguably top 10 opponent.

You mention in a previous post that Clev would outbox Makabu, but you still haven't given examples of Cleverly showing any meaningful boxing skill against decent opponents. Sure, Clev may outwork him, but that will probably entail a lot of standing right in front of and leaving himself open to Makabu. I don't think many believe that a Makabu win is a sure thing, but it does seem to be a large possibility, especially given the context.

Good post.

[dsimpson]

You lot being serious? Makabu looks useless!

[Darcy Delaney]

tony conquest is fighting for the commonwealth title at York hall feb 22nd

[crusader]

http://www.BS.com/cleverly-inj ... how--73412

Apparently Clev is out again with an injury.

[Glass Joe]

Haye, Cleverly or Murray, who wins Mr Sick note?

[crusader]

The promoter of the event, Rodney Berman, said that he "knew he'd pull out. Whatever excuse Cleverly is making, I know he hasn't been injured. He pulled out because he realized he has no chance against Makabu."

[earsjohn]

http://www.BS.com/cleverly-inj ... how--73412

Apparently Clev is out again with an injury.

And yet the BN website still has him fighting Amann for the Commonwealth belt on 15th Feb. A sham fighter represented by a sham promoter

[jackukmma]

He's obviously had a look at Makabu and doesn't fancy it so will take the easier fight and at home instead. Was a stupid move in the 1st place and completely avoidable getting into this mess

[Freedom2013]

It's good that he pulled out, Makabu is the wrong opponent for him right now.

Coming off his KO loss, Nathan needs a warm-up before facing a top contender.

[JimJim2009]

I genuinely wonder if there is a single Cleverley fan who has bought tickets to,

(a) The previous copperbox show, where Nathan pulled out at short notice
(b) The upcoming copperbox show, where Nathan pulled out after being announced on the show
(c) A lovely overseas trip to Monte Carlo to see Nathan in at the deep end in a meaningful cruiserweight fight

I can't see it myself. I think down in Wales they know what's really going on and are just waiting for Nathan to make the jump to Matchroom.

[Bard of Boxrec]

When has Clev outboxed a solid opponent? Not saying he couldn't, but he's won almost every bout by virtue of workrate, and has yet to show me any meaningful boxing skill.

I know several people picked Clev to beat Kov because of this supposed boxing ability, but I really don't know what people are talking about when they mention it.

Spot on.

I love it when ordinary fighters get hyped like this though, because the odds get skewed. It's a reason why I'm looking forward to the inevitable moment when Frankie Gavin gets destroyed. Kovalev was 6/4 to beat Cleverly by KO. I actually expected the price to be longer when it hit the market, but it was still like printing money.

[WelshJack]

I genuinely wonder if there is a single Cleverley fan who has bought tickets to,

(a) The previous copperbox show, where Nathan pulled out at short notice
(b) The upcoming copperbox show, where Nathan pulled out after being announced on the show
(c) A lovely overseas trip to Monte Carlo to see Nathan in at the deep end in a meaningful cruiserweight fight

I can't see it myself. I think down in Wales they know what's really going on and are just waiting for Nathan to make the jump to Matchroom.

A didn't get money back and nearly B was going to wait till last minute and C there is a show in Cardiff.

[whiskey]

I think Nathan needs an easy warm-up fight before anything else.

A fight he can win even if not 100% , preferably against a light-heavy coming up too.

[Autobarn]

who cares - he's fighting, he's not fighting, he maybe is fighting.

he had a bad year and nothing he does in his next fight is going to put 2013 behind him.

that said, good luck to both cleverly and bellew in the cruiserweight division. the hard bastard division, that produces gritty fight of the year candidates every year without fail (since the carl Thompson WBO & IBO days). the bigger fighters will be extremely dangerous, but also the division has slowed down somewhat ever since the weight limit was raised from 190-200 pounds.

a careful path that involves development and avoiding the nastiest risks has to be navigated. I think it'd be great for british boxing if at least one of these guys - destroyed in light heavyweight title fights in 2013 - won a world cruiserweight title, setting up a rematch of the excellent cleverly-bellew battle from a few years ago.

have to say, huck, hernandez, wlodarczyk, lebedev and Guillermo jones are either looking like they're walking through treacle, or they're gassing in long fights. of course, it's only going to take one shot to put away guys who've been stopped by top (okay, exceptional) light heavies. this could get innaresting.

[DavidPayne]

I can't see Nathan troubling people like Ofalobi (sp) unless the weight change gives him significantly more resistance and punch power.

[1 nut]

Cleverly will stop makabu if the fight is ever made

[expe]

When has Clev outboxed a solid opponent? Not saying he couldn't, but he's won almost every bout by virtue of workrate, and has yet to show me any meaningful boxing skill.

I know several people picked Clev to beat Kov because of this supposed boxing ability, but I really don't know what people are talking about when they mention it.

Spot on.

I love it when ordinary fighters get hyped like this though, because the odds get skewed. It's a reason why I'm looking forward to the inevitable moment when Frankie Gavin gets destroyed. Kovalev was 6/4 to beat Cleverly by KO. I actually expected the price to be longer when it hit the market, but it was still like printing money.

Probably the best defensive fighter in the country, who's taken about 10 clean punches in his last 4 fights, will be destroyed. He's the best amateur we've ever had and purely ability, technique wise, the best fighter in the country. He's now knuckled down, is boxing regularly, settled at home and is living the life and is in the best shape of his pro career.

[Bard of Boxrec]

When has Clev outboxed a solid opponent? Not saying he couldn't, but he's won almost every bout by virtue of workrate, and has yet to show me any meaningful boxing skill.

I know several people picked Clev to beat Kov because of this supposed boxing ability, but I really don't know what people are talking about when they mention it.

Spot on.

I love it when ordinary fighters get hyped like this though, because the odds get skewed. It's a reason why I'm looking forward to the inevitable moment when Frankie Gavin gets destroyed. Kovalev was 6/4 to beat Cleverly by KO. I actually expected the price to be longer when it hit the market, but it was still like printing money.

Probably the best defensive fighter in the country, who's taken about 10 clean punches in his last 4 fights, will be destroyed. He's the best amateur we've ever had and purely ability, technique wise, the best fighter in the country. He's now knuckled down, is boxing regularly, settled at home and is living the life and is in the best shape of his pro career.

Ok bro. Life and death with Curtis Woodhouse. OK bro.

[danconnollyeire]

Why terrible decision? Clev has openly said he's reviewed boxing as the right career for him. If he can't beat this opponent then it won't be... simples