Manouvering Nathan Cleverley into World Champion status

I don't know, but Warren said he wants to get Cleverly a world title shot at the end of the year!

I think its a bit early yet.

 

Especially as there's no way in hell Erdei will fight over here- what could Cleverly bring to the table? A packed York Hall?

 

I would agree with the above, surely needs more exposure before a world title fight.

 

In a year or so, when Tony Bellew beats him he'll be looking for a euro belt tops !

 

How about a unification bout if they become world champions?

 

There is nothing that Cleverley does that screams future world champion at me...he is a decent fighter but I think a lot of people are getting ahead of themselves with the kid.

 

I agree with people on here hasn't been tested yet and is still a few fights away from being good enough to not only win a world title but also be able to retain it. There is definately better tests on the domestic front then what he has faced so far.

As I have already said I would give him a fight with Tim Bell the Aussie for the Commonwealth Belt in Cardiff. He is ranked in the top 10 of the WBA so a win would probably put him in the top 5 bare minimum. After that how about fighting Brian Magee for both the Commonwealth and British straps it would be a good test against an experienced pro.
Then move him up to European level and depending on how he has looked after those 3 fights, only after having done those 3 fights would I even consider moving him up to world level.

 

[url]http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/8162213.stm[/url]

Interview with Calzaghe hear where he sums it up perfectly. Its exactly the same situation with with Kell Brook.

The issue for Cleverly is that he is in a very weak division domesticly. He has already beaten Oakey. He also has a win over Tony Quigley, who is British Champ at Super Middle and Joey Vegas who is one of the toughest journeyman. Ovil McEnzie and Courtney Fry would not really test him much more but if they took him to the end of the year, to keep the Lonsdale belt outright, thats ok. He is only 22. Bellew is not going to be at that level for at least a year, same as Groves who I think will end up a Light Heavy.

Then try and set up the Clinton Woods fight if he is coming of a loss. Be a big fight and a win would really oush his profile.

From there maybe fighting some former world title challangers at light heavy, or a former world champion from super middle. Im thinking a Montel Griffin or the guy Woods beat Murqi.

Warren doesn't seem to like the European title route but i think he needs to go that way with him.

So how about

Sep 09 vs Fry
Dec 09 vs McEnzie

Feb 10 vs Clinton Woods/Murqui
Jun 10 vs Griffin/Murqui
Sep 10 vs Braemer
Dec 10 vs Euro Defence

Feb 11 vs Eliminator
Jun 11 vs World Title

His 25th fight would be a world title fight. He would be 24 years old.

 

Francis went to cruiser, and he has retired.

you gotta give big respect to Cleverly. When i got my degree, certainly in the final year its serious hard work. I no they go on about it all the time but being a pro boxer while getting a degree is some achievment.

Now he can focus on boxing full time. I would like to see him go out to the states and get some decent sparring. Maybe the Wild Card although i think McGrit would be really really good for him.

 

Apparently he split his final year and did it over two years so he had enough time to train.

 

I did he same while running my business. Its tough. A pure maths degree from a top 10 Uni as from Clev is something else.

By the way when is the boxing weakest link??? they ever show it?

 

Clinton Woods would beat him comfortably IMO

 

someone in boxing was talking about throwing him in with Clinton Woods in his next fight :nono - this is silly rushing him into that - Woods has been in there with Roy Jones and Glencoffe Johnson. - Cleverly is not ready for such a step up yet. It be silly to rush him. Take his time and learn the game on a slow but steady upward curve. :good

Theres no rush - its not as if he has to justify being a pay per view event like someone like Amir Khan had to when he was just a commonwealth champion.