I like Nathan, and I've been watching him a good few years now. He seems a decent kid and he's got some skills. He's always good to watch and he always gives a good interview. I was very surprised when he went up to CW after the defeat to Kovalev. He looked very lethargic in the rematch with Bellew, and he obviously struggled at 200 pounds. I haven't seen the Fonfara fight as yet, but I've read a few reports. But I'm wondering where he goes from here at LHW? He was easily beaten by Kovalev, and I really can't see him beating the likes of Stevenson and Beterbiev. Personally, I'd like to see him at SMW. Does anyone think he could comfortably make SMW, and if so, could he have some big fights/success there? There'd be some great potential fights for him: DeGale Groves Bute Fielding Smith Bros Murray Dirrell Bros :good
Maybe it's a stretch too far, and it would be too much of a toll on his body. But I just don't see where he goes from here at LHW. There'd be some great fights for him at SMW, especially domestically.
Agreed that he is in an odd place size wise. He doesn't pack enough punch to make many inroads at LHW or above, but SMW is probably a stretch too far. He doesn't have the other boxing skills necessary to mitigate that lack of pop above LHW. He's basically a brawler without power who relies on activity, and in that he is like the Juan Diaz of LHW. It looks like it's LHW or bust.... and there be some monsters at the top of that weight. He can, however, compete with the 2nd tier at LHW. The Fonfaras(obviously), the Braehmers, and probably the Pascals, etc. he'll get another title shot I'd imagine at some point.
Good post Des. I feel sorry for him to be honest. I think he'll get another crack at some point, and that he could beat the likes of Pascal, Braehmer and possibly Fonfara if they had a rematch. But what does he do afterwards? I think he now knows that he can't beat the best at the weight. But he's far too young to contemplate retirement in my opinion. So I don't know what he does.
Chad Dawson typically has a much lowed BMI, and he was almost dead at the weighin vs Ward. Chances are, Cleverly would be bludgeoned by someone as simple as Feigenbutz at SMW. He'd best stay at LHW, and lower his LOC to the Karpency's and Suhtoskys and fight domestic/euro level contenders, maybe get hold of EU title, and wait on a few paydays vs the likes of Enzo Mac. If Adonis Superbiitch can defend against cans, then surely Cleverly can earn a shot against the same LOC. :think
Yeah, Chad had a nightmare hitting the weight. Good point. Like you say, maybe there's still some good fights and decent pay days for him at LHW. I hope so.
ok, I'll rehrase it: with today's science, he could make 168, but it would be a serious cost to his health :yep on a similar topic, I still can't figure out how Fonfara makes 175 without any harm to his body, since in between fights he walks at well over 200lbs :think
I mean, yeah, but no. I give Cleverly credit for seeking out the best when he fought Kovalev. He could have milked that title for a lot longer. He found his level. No shame in that. But I hope he doesn't go back to fighting domestic level guys permanently. Let him mix it up with the 2nd tier guys and get his cracks at the top guys again. I much prefer his chances vs a Braehmer or Stevenson than vs Kovalev. I don't see dither of those guys being as willing to exchange with Cleverly as Kovalev was. He has a reasonable chance at an upset vs both.
I didnt mean that he should turn down title shots. What I meant is that he shouldnt be looking for them by trying to beat top 10s. If Adonis can beat absolutely NOBODY to get his shot, then defend against ONE solid top 10 in Fonfara, a top 15 in Bellew, and the rest vs lower tiered top 50s, then Cleverly can hang at or around the top 30 maintaining and even increasing his own rankings without risking another hard loss. Last night is gonna put him out the game for NO less than 4 months. That was a tough fight that surely took something out of him. He would have been smarter to fight Chad Dawson. At least a quick KO would have bolstered his confidence at the wieght and while Chad has been absolute garbage since he was sparked in camp for Ward, he still has great name value based on his pre-sparking accomplishments. Now, Cleverly is back to rebuilding, both his name, and his confidence. :-(
I posted earlier something I heard on Polish TV during the fight, Szpilka was commentating the fight, and he's very good friends with Andrzej, he said that Fonfara told him he that walks around up to 98 kg (210 lbs) in between fights, which I find incredibly difficult to imagine
I can eith the spirit of your idea to an extent, but he would bave gotten 0 credit for dispatching. Dawson at this point. Personally, I 'd rather see him in there vs the lower end of the top 10, or guys just outlying. Beating on unworthy competition only takes you so far. Stevenson has been milking that title like it is the last teat in the barn. Either way, you're right, he'll have to convalesce in both body and mind for a while first, regardless in what direction he goes.