For stepping up and facing the most dangerous fighter he could face Kovalev is the favourite with the bookies I disagree when people say clev has only fought bums, Bellew and Murat are good wins/ But the full credit for him for stepping up to face the best light heavyweight out there, he's proved he's a real fighter just for accepting the fight
As another poster said the other day you do not deserve credit for doing your job and being paid well for doing it.
Really rate Cleverly, some of the stick he gets isn't really necessary. Props to him for taking this fight and I think we'll see the best of him... no doubt everyone that is currently telling anyone who listens how much of a monster Kovalev will be calling him a nobody after Clev gets the W.
Admittedly he hasn't "only" fought bums, but on the whole his opposition has been very disappointing. That fact that you name Murat and Bellew as the standouts says it all really. Murat was a good win at the time but he should have gone on to fry bigger fish and it's taken until now for him to step it up. Going into the Bellew fight, Tony had very little experience as a pro and was quite a big underdog - and he gave him a really tough night. Agreed, he deserves more credit for finally taking the plunge but why on earth has it taken so long? All FW's doing?
has he beaten a world champion yet? that said anyone that gets in the boxing ring for a fight deserves respect.
I know boxrec are known to be **** with there ranking system, but how can they justify Bellew ranking higher than Cleverly?
Not really, he should be looking for much bigger fights. Not a 30 year old who is undefeated but who is coming into this fight because of a few nice wins and a pretty record, rather than an indepth resume. Cleverly is STILL in a position where he should be looking at big names or big fights - Hopkins, Pascal, Cloud, Shumenov etc
He's a WBO World Champion, he's had six WBO World title fights. He has never faced a World Champion. (current or former) I can understand why he does not get the respect he deserves. His last ten fights, if you average the rounds, have lasted 9 rounds. This is against less than stellar opposition. There have been a couple of top ten fighters in there. Kovalev on the other hand has despatched his opponents in an average of three rounds or less. Kovalev has maintained the stoppages as he has moved up in class. The way in which he beat White and Campillo was really impressive. White, fringe world class and a contender, Campillo a decent former WBA boxing champ, highly rated. White and Campillo are arguably as good as anyone Cleverly has faced. Cleverly might be brave taking this fight, but it could also have been a stupid decision. They must see something lacking in Kovalev that I don't. I think it will be an easy night for Kovalev. Whoever wins, the winner of this fight has a claim to be the number 1 challenger in the division as well as being WBO champion.
Clev will get my respect if he beats this guy or puts up a good effort while getting Sparked out. I've not been amused by some of the opponents Nathan has faced, should have been better quality and bigger names.
Hopkins at 48? Pascal last fight 10 rounds decision against a guy who Cleverly beat in 4, Cloud on losing record to Hopkins. Shumenov despite being WBA champion is not a huge fight for Cleverly. Kovalev is a far more risky, impressive and a bigger challenge for Cleverly. A win over Kovalev would send out a huge message.
I know they will lol if clev wins don't forget Cleverly was scheduled to face Braehmer but he pulled out at the last minute. Kuziemski and Hawk were last minute replacements so you can excuse them. Krasniqi was his mandatory. So the only one that is unacceptable is Karpency, who was one of the worst world title challengers ive seen. Cleverly is a very talented fighter who has now proved he wants to fight the best by taking the hardest fight possible.
Yep Cleverly fancies the job and i like this attitude. It's a massive risk but a winnable fight for him. Kovalev though is a bad man and Cleverly has to box masterfully. Props to him for taking this fight. Warrior.
Yes you do. Your going into a boxing ring with a man who could kill you there and then. Job or not it isn't your run of the mill nine to five. But with you being the most miserable man on the planet I suppose its only natural you'd have something down beat to say about it.