BoxRec

Nathan Cleverly expects Sergey Kovalev to beat Andre Ward on Saturday and wants a rematch with him next year.

Cleverly (30-3, 16 KOs) is as excited as any fan about the fight at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas which will decide the light-heavyweight division's No.1.

But the Briton has a close personal interest, too, as he should have a chance to line up a 2017 bout against the winner of Florida-based Russian Kovalev (30-0-1, 26 KOs), who will defend his WBA 'super', WBO and IBF world titles, and American Ward (30-0, 15 KOs).

Why isn't he targeting Stevenson instead? That would be a decent fight.

Who would want to watch a rematch with Kovalev?

Hes brave that's for sure. He's not going to last much longer. I think Nathan could have benefitted from quality training after the Kovalev massacre but he's not going to improve now. Is he still trained by Vince?

Nathan's too easy to hit and has been exposed as a Euro level plodder.

He really shouldn't be allowed near any of the top light heavies despite holding a paper belt. Let him have a few ridiculous defences against journeymen to build up a retirement pot before cashing out with a manufactured domestic grudge match against Paul Smith or some other plodder.

I can see the vote being a whitewash here lads

Stevenson

Horse wrote:Why isn't he targeting Stevenson instead? That would be a decent fight.

Who would want to watch a rematch with Kovalev?

Agreed. Stevenson would be a better route for Clev to take...

CaptainSpacerod wrote:Nathan's too easy to hit and has been exposed as a Euro level plodder.

He really shouldn't be allowed near any of the top light heavies despite holding a paper belt. Let him have a few ridiculous defences against journeymen to build up a retirement pot before cashing out with a manufactured domestic grudge match against Paul Smith or some other plodder.

Cleverly's a good fighter, show some respect.

Horse wrote:

CaptainSpacerod wrote:Nathan's too easy to hit and has been exposed as a Euro level plodder.

He really shouldn't be allowed near any of the top light heavies despite holding a paper belt. Let him have a few ridiculous defences against journeymen to build up a retirement pot before cashing out with a manufactured domestic grudge match against Paul Smith or some other plodder.

Cleverly's a good fighter, show some respect.

Yeah, don't be so disrespectful

It was too comprehensive a win for a rematch to be worth chasing IMO, however Cleverly is far from a 'Euro level plodder' as his contest with Fonfara proves, though that said, if anyone is Euro level, they are not a plodder.

Horse wrote:Cleverly's a good fighter, show some respect.

He's a good fighter but he's far enough away from elite level to warrant caution when considering matching him with the top names in the division. He took a brutal beating against Fonfara and was on the way to another one when Braehmer pulled out. He just stands in front of guys throwing punches that won't deter a world class fighter from just walking through him.

I was at the first fight; there is absolutely no way that Cleverly beats Kovalev, he was totally out of his depth. No shame in that as Kovalev is a genuinely elite fighter, but Nathan needs his head examined if he wants to put himself through that again.

He has absolutely no chance he had absolutely no success in the first fight and was beaten about like a little girl.

CaptainSpacerod wrote:He's a good fighter but he's far enough away from elite level to warrant caution when considering matching him with the top names in the division. He took a brutal beating against Fonfara and was on the way to another one when Braehmer pulled out. He just stands in front of guys throwing punches that won't deter a world class fighter from just walking through him.

Cleverly was giving as good as he got against Fonfara and Braehmer. They were both very good fights.

He will never, ever be ready for that rematch. End of.

He could bring a baseball bat wrapped it barbed wire with him and he'll still lose.

Can't question Clevs bravery though.

Horse wrote:

CaptainSpacerod wrote:Nathan's too easy to hit and has been exposed as a Euro level plodder.

He really shouldn't be allowed near any of the top light heavies despite holding a paper belt. Let him have a few ridiculous defences against journeymen to build up a retirement pot before cashing out with a manufactured domestic grudge match against Paul Smith or some other plodder.

Cleverly's a good fighter, show some respect.

Not sure it's a lack of respect or a desire not to see Nathan killed

Pinatas do vote for sticks, now and then, it seems

I will give Clev his dues and say he has big balls.

To go in there twice with Kovalev, when most people don't even want to go in once.

If i was advising him I would look to make other fights. His fight with Fonfara was great and if you haven't seen it, go watch it.

davie wrote:

Horse wrote:

CaptainSpacerod wrote:Nathan's too easy to hit and has been exposed as a Euro level plodder.

He really shouldn't be allowed near any of the top light heavies despite holding a paper belt. Let him have a few ridiculous defences against journeymen to build up a retirement pot before cashing out with a manufactured domestic grudge match against Paul Smith or some other plodder.

Cleverly's a good fighter, show some respect.

Not sure it's a lack of respect or a desire not to see Nathan killed

I'm going to stick with a lack of respect.

Two people have actually voted for Cleverly.

Pointless match. He gets battered again.

Tomasino wrote:Hes brave that's for sure. He's not going to last much longer. I think Nathan could have benefitted from quality training after the Kovalev massacre but he's not going to improve now. Is he still trained by Vince?

Not with vince for a while.

Still with Darren Wilson I think.

Ian1973 wrote:Two people have actually voted for Cleverly.

Horse and his alter-ego second account

Deserter wrote:He will never, ever be ready for that rematch. End of.

This. He'd get decapitated next time.

Horse wrote:

davie wrote:

Horse wrote:Cleverly's a good fighter, show some respect.

Not sure it's a lack of respect or a desire not to see Nathan killed

I'm going to stick with a lack of respect.

People of limited intellect on this forum quickly jump on the lack of respect bandwagon but of course it's not a lack of respect it's merely a critique of a fighter. Anybody in any profession, let alone the brutal world of boxing, who has risen to even a level of national achievement deserves huge respect.

It goes without saying in boxing circles that respect is implicitly given to anyone who climbs in the ring. Only point scoring saddos on anonymous forums will seek to make lack of respect an issue where clearly there isn't one