Is this really the best way to go. Lets take Nathan Cleverly for example. He has now picked up the European title after winning the Commonwealth and British title. He beat Oakey for the Commonwealth, it was a huge step up at the time. He made some dodgy defences agaisnt Africans, but he then went from the vacant British title agaisnt there mandatory Danny McIntosh. Then came Fry who was in the top 2 contenders not already beaten by Clev. then he wins vacant European title agaisnt the mandatory challanger. yet we are critical of his level of opposition. Perhaps the domestic title route is not the way to go?? you could say the same thing about many domestic champions who our prospects at world level.
I would like to see a fighter to go through all the belts - Area-English-Commonwealth-British-European. I don't mind some dodgy defences as long as the career moves incrementenly upwards. Use James Degale as an example: Southern Area v Tony Salam should be his first target belt then the Sam Horton fight could be for the vacant English belt, rather than the intercontinental. He would then be lined up for the domestic series vs Smith/Groves/Magee with 3 belts on offer
I have been critical of Cleverly yes but fair enough to him bacause he has gone onto beat the best on offer after. If we are hearing right his next euro fight will be against a top class opponent. I had hoped for the Clev vs Oakey fight before it happened and was very disapointed we got a short notice job. The africans and Boyle were joke fights but McIntosh had looked impressive and Fry was a decent opponent. Brancalion was mandatory but he was embarrassing.
I can definitely see where you are coming from. I mean, Matt Hatton is now a Euro champion but he would get beasted by anyone in the top 15 at 147 (probably top 20 to be fair). The problem is that a lot of our fighters and a lot of European fighters are quite protected at times, meaning they can build decent records without ever fighting anyone remotely decent. Cleverly for example would probably learn just as much from getting 6 months top quality sparring in some of the US gyms as he has done from his last 5 fights. It's hard to find the right level of competition these days, as guys who would be a step up for Clev are all around the kind of mandatory/eliminator level for one of the 4 world title straps so wouldn't be interested in facing him. He then runs the risk of not being prepared enough if he himself earns a crack at one of the belts.
