The other 'V The World' threads that I put on here produced some decent debate so I thought I'd do another but this time with Clev as the subject. This content is protected Having improved on the area of his game which needed improving the most - his power - Cleverly has looked hugely impressive of late and seems to be improving immeasurably each time he steps inbetween the ropes. Up next is a defence of the Lonsdale belt and Commonwealth strap against Courtney Fry. Without a doubt the best in the UK now that seasoned veteran Clinton Woods has retired, he has now also been made mandatory challenger for the European title. Assuming he wins the Euro title, he'll be looking for a world title shot and, with a victory, a WBC ranking will also improve vastly. With Warren's stable a WBO ranking is never too far off and Clev is no different- he is currently rated at 5 in their rankings. The current world scene is as follows: WBA Champ: Campillo WBC Champ: Pascal IBF Champ: Cloud WBO Champ: Erdei There are plenty of fantastic fighters at 175 without belts as well, such as B-Hop, Dawson, Johnson and RJJ to name a few. Fights with any of these names are a little way off, though, IMO. With all of this in mind, I ask the Brit Forum: What steps would you like to be next for Clev? Does he go for the Lonsdale belt outright whilst he's finishing Uni? Should he go straight for the Euro title? How would he stack-up against the world-class opposition out there at the moment? Which current champs should he aim for and how would he fare against each current respective champ? Any thoughts, as always, are welcome:good
I would love to see him get the Euro before going for a World Title but its not Warrens style. I cannot remember the last Euro title fight he staged. He should get his Lonsdale outright by beating Fry and McEnzie (Bellew fight is to big in the long run) than finishes of 2009. Feb 2010 Win the Euro and then a WBO eliminator. Then Warren can win purse bids for Eredi (this guy will not come to UK unless he has to) and win a world title in Wales by the end Christmas next year. agaisnt those mentioned. in 2010 he could beat all Light Heavys except for Hopkins, Jones Jnr, Pascal and Dawson. If he does pick up the WBO expect 10+ title defences before a unification is even discussed.
I agree with what Rob said but would love to see him fight RJJ. RJJ is finished and will be a major name on Clevs record but the chance of the fight happening is even more slight than Clev not going the WBO and then 15 defences route.
Campillo: Yes, not far into the future this is a realistic and winnable fight. Campillo has shown he'll defend his title on road, and the perennial underdog shouldn't be underestimated. However, whether he'll still be champ when Clev steps up is debateable. Pascal: Pascal is better than Campillo, but still overrated. He can be outworked and outboxed. I don't think this fight should be imminent but when he's got 27/28 fights under his belt perhaps. Cloud: Avoid like the plague, this is the guy I would worry about. Punches hard and at a ridiculous rate, unless Cleverly could get on his bike and peddle it convincingly this would be a horrible fight for him. Erdei: Even though the WBO route is the obvious one, I can't see the fight happening. Unless Frank comes up trumps I just can't see Erdei's promotion allowing him to leave Germany, and I can't see Frank putting Clev in that position either. All this is under the consideration that he continues his rate of development. As for his short-term prospects I think he's got a decent fight lined up against one of only a couple worthy challenges in Britain. Then I think he should look at the European scene and try to step up the level progressively. He is already challenger for the vacant EBU title, he must fight a Frenchman named Nadjib Mohammedi. He could try and fight Silvio Branco. Karo Murat would be a great European fight if they could arrange that.
Nadjib Mohammedi would be hilarious considering how much a **** the French guy is plus he is no great.
Nothing wrong with 10 WBO defences. Who's going to win a world title then go out blazing against the divisions dangermen, knowing that your run and career could be ended prematurely.
I think he should take European next and then World. I would target Campillo at home personally. The Germans may well win the purse bids in an Erdei fight. I'd forget the others. If he waits too long he may find the division much more competitve than it is now.
I think Clev is a nice guy and has good potential. Fast hands, improving power and great conditioning. But, looking at his record, particularly his recent record and I don't understand what all the fuss is about... No disrespect to Cleverley because he's a good prospect, but let's get real. The best opponent on his record is a faded Tony Oakey and he had a good win against Tony Quigley, who's really a super middle. He did a good number on Macintosh, but Macintosh was a novice who had somehow been hyped well beyond his ability! In his last four fights, he's beaten two African guys who shouldn't have even been sanctioned to fight him (I was at both and they were a disgrace), Billy Boyle who is a good honest fighter but limited in the extreme, and a 10 fight novice who was bigged up without having fought anyone himself! And yet we're debating which of the current world champions he should face!!! :think I'd love to see him do it and sure he has potential, but let's see him in with a puncher, or at least someone competitive before we start getting over excited. Sorry to be negative, but we will learn nothing about him until the quality of his opponents increases dramatically and very quickly. I hope he gets his shot, but first, let's see him beat some proper opposition.
Don't take it too seriously, it's just a bit of fun. If you had joined earlier you'd have seen the other 'V The World' threads and realised that I have ran out of British talent actually close to and on the world scene. Still, you raised some decent points. Just remember that the thread is purely hypothetical at this point in time, it's just a question on how he'd fare on the workd scene- Clev has to get there first but his WBO ranking is quite dandy at this point in time:good.
Ah - I see! I'll climb off my high horse now Excellent prospect, but would like to see him fight Dean Francis (if Francis can make light heavy and is motivated) and then perhaps go for European title in his next few fights. :good
He's openly stated he wants the Lonsdale outright. I'd love to see him go traditional. Lonsdale. European WBO, 3 or 4 defences. Unification. I think the first 3 are realistic.
ONLY 1 PERSON HAS GOT IT RIGHT, 17 FIGHTS UNBEATEN AGAINST BUMS, HASBEENS AND SMALLER BOXERS IS NOT A WORLD BEATER, HE'S CAREFULLY MATCHED AND WHY IS EVERYONE WRITING OFF cOURTNEY FRY? HE'S FRESH, FIT AND HAS A REAL PEDIGREE ANYONE LOOKING PAST HIM COULD BE IN REAL TROUBLE
Cleverley is a REAL PROSPECT,i'd hate to see him ruined by being rushed.I think the key word here is "slowly" he has time on his side and will fill out and grow physically stronger over the next couple of years. I'd take him down the Lonsdale then Euro route,and then try matching him with a decent Top ten fighter.Maybe he'll come unstuck along the way,but i'd hate for him to be thrown in at the deep end too soon.:good
Ring Title: Pascal WBA: Shumenov WBC: Pascal IBF: Cloud WBO: Braehmer Not much has changed apart form the fact that we know have a Ring Champion and some of the alphabets have changed hands. What are your thoughts on the current scene and Cleverly's chances against the top brass in the division after his improvements in the last year?:think
