Can Cleverly be world class

[alexpaterson]

Ive seen him a few times and been really impressed should be intresting to see how he copes with Danny McIntosh if it happens do you guys think he can be world class

[Dioufy]

Yeah I do - I hope he stops fighting these Africans and moves onto better things though.

Although, Emerson told me Cleverly lost to Vegas?

Did anyone else see that fight?

[brian13]

I don't think so but he maybe European champion but not the best in the World at LHW

[Autobarn]

Yeah I do - I hope he stops fighting these Africans and moves onto better things though.

Although, Emerson told me Cleverly lost to Vegas?

Did anyone else see that fight?

i think it was on Setanta. i recall Nathan not looking too cleverly. It appeared to be close. One Afro he couldn't bully to the floor!

[stujones]

Would love to see Cleverly against a fully prepared Oakey before passing Judgement, cause to be honest - I wasn't impressed with him before that night... then I was throughly impressed.... now though, not so impressive again. Is he the type of boxer who improves when the standard improves... or was Oakey just not prepared enough... cause I see Oakey as a sort of gate keeper to European level.

[Dioufy]

I'll tell you what, I was a bit gutted that they only give Oakey about three weeks to prepare for facing Cleverly (by the way, that epitomises Sports Network). I wouldn't mind seeing a Okay Vs Cleverly rematch, when Oakey is given sufficient time to prepare.

[Dioufy]

Would love to see Cleverly against a fully prepared Oakey before passing Judgement, cause to be honest - I wasn't impressed with him before that night... then I was throughly impressed.... now though, not so impressive again. Is he the type of boxer who improves when the standard improves... or was Oakey just not prepared enough... cause I see Oakey as a sort of gate keeper to European level.

Ha, see, great minds thing alike. I posted the same thing, essentially at the same time.

[stujones]

Although to be fair, I know it wasn't ideal - but 1) Oakey could have said no... and 2) What a good subsitute as opposed to the African imports. Clevely was scheduled to fight Francis who pulled out.... Cleverly was going to fight for the Commonwealth title, and its better to have an 80% Oakey over these imports.

[Dioufy]

Oakey was always going to take the payday after coming off that loss to Francis. Plus, there was always a chance Cleverly was totally overrated. If Oakey didn't step him and somebody beat Cleverly then he probably would've killed himself.

[stujones]

Oakey was always going to take the payday after coming off that loss to Francis. Plus. there was always a chance Cleverly was totally overrated.

True, but whoever was going to fight Cleverly was only going to have 3 weeks notice - so better it is someone decent than someone terrible. I don't think in this case Warren can be criticised so much, blame Francis if someone is to be blamed.... had Warren got some import in, who only had 3 weeks notice, then he can be blamed. My word, I've criticised these Commonwealth fights enough - but I thought, given the circumstances, this was one of the better more justifyable ones!

I know its harder to judge on Prizefighter, but Oakey looked a completely different fighter.... at first I thought it might have been the Francis fight and KO - why was it not a condender for fight of the year has amazed me that might have knocked the stuffing out of Oakey... but no, he's as good as before IMO.

[Dioufy]

Yeah, it was better than some African, but still, I think that result flatters Cleverly a little. Would love to see a rematch.

[stujones]

Yeah, it was better than some African, but still, I think that result flatters Cleverly a little. Would love to see a rematch.

yep

[Dioufy]

So, Stu. How would you see a rematch going with a fully-prepared Oakey? I would go for 115-113 to Cleverly.

[teddy007]

I will answer the original post and say absolutely no way does cleverly become true world class, in my opinion he does not have the tools and never will. He will be succesful but at the highest level.

[teddy007]

Would love to see Cleverly against a fully prepared Oakey before passing Judgement, cause to be honest - I wasn't impressed with him before that night... then I was throughly impressed.... now though, not so impressive again. Is he the type of boxer who improves when the standard improves... or was Oakey just not prepared enough... cause I see Oakey as a sort of gate keeper to European level.

Ha, see, great minds thing alike. I posted the same thing, essentially at the same time.

I see Oakey as the bench mark for British level and thats because the domestic lhw division is really weak and very weak on the european and world front. A fit francis is a good european level fighter, the lhw divison is becoming a less glamorous division on the world scene because of lack of strength in-depth. The division needs a star and i think that will be Tarvouris Cloud (fingers crossed) the lhw is wide open, it needs someone to grab it and make it exciting again.

[Dioufy]

Isn't Cloud the IBF mandatory, and Dawson is the belt holder. That would be an amazing fight.

[stujones]

So, Stu. How would you see a rematch going with a fully-prepared Oakey? I would go for 115-113 to Cleverly.

Hard to say, Cleverly would start as a favourite though. Cleverly did do a number on him, so I would say Cleverly points - maybe a little wider than your score or okay getting to him late.

[hurlock]

Ive seen him a few times and been really impressed should be intresting to see how he copes with Danny McIntosh if it happens do you guys think he can be world class

he's leagues above danny mcintosh!!

i think he's got the talent to be worldclass,but you never know how a fighter will progress,it's what keep's us watching.

[chris s]

I think it is a similar situation as Brook. We'll know by the end of the year what his chances are.

[Autobarn]

Cleverly doesn't have the power to be world class, IMO. But he has good skills and speed and his variety is improving.

But because of his loyalty with Warren over the team Calzaghe split, I reckon he'll get plenty of opportunities if things go on as they are.

He could possibly become a belt holder. In all, good fighter who will be sold as something higher than what he is. He'd have to stay away from the likes of Dawson, Cloud, Shumenov.

[stujones]

Cleverly doesn't have the power to be world class, IMO. But he has good skills and speed and his variety is improving.

But because of his loyalty with Warren over the team Calzaghe split, I reckon he'll get plenty of opportunities if things go on as they are.

He could possibly become a belt holder. In all, good fighter who will be sold as something higher than what he is. He'd have to stay away from the likes of Dawson, Cloud, Shumenov.

That would be generally my view, but its almost impossible to say cause of the opponents he has faced - excluding Oakey who wasn't prepared.

[Gray-Fox]

No is the answer.

[whiskey]

He is much slicker than Nathan McIntosh but the Norfolk man has the power.

Thats a fight that could be good..

...But Warren wouldnt do business with Hennessy i bet.

[Bomber 1]

Cleverly Vs McIntosh could be happening for the british so I hear??

Cleverly Vs Vegas was a close one..I thought Nathan nicked it by a point BUT it was very very close, Just can't wait to get the 6 rounders and 8 rounders out of the way so I can fight for one of the domestic belts!!

[Counter-puncher]

whats your opinion on McIntosh bomber some people rate him some don't. i only saw the quick knockout in Nottingham but that impressed me it looked like he's got a good jab.