******: Clev to fight for Euro title if he beats Fry

[ishy]

Promoter Frank ****** says Nathan Cleverly will challenge for the European light-heavyweight title on December 5 if he wins on Friday night.

Cleverly defends his Commonwealth and British belts against Courtney Fry at Bethnal Green's York Hall.

It is the first defence of his British title after a thrilling win against Danny McIntosh earlier this year, and the fifth time his Commonwealth title has been on the line.

But there could be greater riches around the corner, with Cleverly nominated by the EBU to challenge for the vacant European title.

Today, promoter Frank ****** took the unusual step of confirming that Cleverly will fight for that crown later this year if he beats Fry.

It will form part of the undercard to a huge show ****** is planning before Christmas.

"I don't often look more than a fight ahead, but I thought it would do Nathan good to know what is at stake on Friday," said ******.

"It's a huge incentive for him if he comes through against Fry."

Cleverly, 22, also broke with fighters' usual protocol about not looking too far ahead by admitting that he had been thinking about the chance after being told of it by ****** and matchmaker Dean Powell.

"It's exciting, but I'm not underestimating Fry in any way, and he'll be coming to win on Friday," he said.

During a press conference in which Cleverly jokingly posed in front of a blackboard dressed in a mortar board and gown to reflect the fact he is still studying Maths at university, ****** had more serious matters on his mind.

"Nathan is the real deal and I don't think there is any reason to hold him back," said the promoter.

"His results in the ring are speaking for themselves, and he can push on from here.

"I want to do that European title fight for him, and from there I believe he is only a couple of fights away from challenging for and winning a world title.

"He's in a very hot division at the moment, but there is no reason why he can't become number one.

"I really believe that, and I think people are coming round to my point of view as well.

"Along with fighters like Kell Brook, Kevin Mitchell, Amir Khan ([Only registered and activated users can see links]******.tv/drill/indexboxers.php?page=boxers&id=9) and the amateurs I've signed in the last couple of years, Nathan is the future of British boxing."

Undefeated now in 17 fights, Cleverly has won his last four by stoppage, and also has a non-title KO victory over current British super-middleweight champion Tony Quigley ([Only registered and activated users can see links]******.tv/drill/indexboxers.php?page=boxers&id=320).

"Everyone has been saying that Nathan has developed punching power, but it's always been there," said ******.

"When he first started out he was boxing at the wrong weight, and as soon as he moved up to light-heavyweight the power came through."[Only registered and activated users can see links]******.tv/drill/News/Articles/2009/10/05/******-euro-bid-next-for-clev123.html

[kosaros]

Nice little undercard fight for the Khan vs Salita bill :yep

Will Mitchell vs Burns possibly be on it as well?

[royalt0208]

I was about to post this. I think this is a clever move by Frank it could have been easy for Nathan to get complacent but by dangling this big fight in front of him it should keep him focused and at his best.
I'm going to get slaughtered for this but I think Frank is a top promoter, for the most part he keeps his fighters busy and he does put them in some tough fights. I like the way he is progressing Nathan Cleverly and Kell Brook both are being kept very busy (If he does have this fight in December it will be his 7th in 14/15 months) and sure they have faced some stiffs for opponents but they have gotten exposure and have taken or are taking some serious tests.

Also noticed that for his card this Friday most of his prospects are fighting six rounder’s now that is how it is supposed to be done, I hate fighters fighting four rounder’s after their fifth or sixth fight what do they get out of it.

[TommyV]

Who will it be against? Murat? Uzelkov?

[GazOC]

Also noticed that for his card this Friday most of his prospects are fighting six rounder’s now that is how it is supposed to be done, I hate fighters fighting four rounder’s after their fifth or sixth fight what do they get out of it.


TBH I prefer them to start at 6s. 4s are pointless and its too easy for something to go wrong (and flash KD or a foul) where its hard to make the points back over the 3 other rounds.

[royalt0208]

TBH I prefer them to start at 6s. 4s are pointless and its too easy for something to go wrong (and flash KD or a foul) where its hard to make the points back over the 3 other rounds.

I agree but I can understand why they do it. But after their fifth or sixth fight I really do not see the point I would say it is one of the biggest problems in this country that too many fighters take far too long to go longer rounds especially when they don't have a big promoter behind them. I can think of a number of guys that have 10+ wins and are still fighting four or six rounders against journeyman whats the point how are they supposed to get into contention for British or Commonwealth title fights when they aren't going rounds and aren't facing tough opposition.

At least Frank takes them off the shorter rounds (especially the four rounders) after a while and he has a great knack for choosing a great time to step them up shame it couldn't happen at more levels.

[robpalmer135]

"Its being reported that the winner of Clevery vs Fry will fight for the vacant European title in December (Khan bill??). The opponent was supposed to be Nadjib Mohammedi but he was knocked out in his last fight in 1 round agaisnt Thierry Karl. Expect Karl or Kaaro Murat to be in the opposite corner in December"

Khan vs Salita, Mitchell vs Burns, Clev for Euro title will make a decent show.

[ishy]

There's a thread on the general saying Murat will fight Yusaf Mack in an IBF eliminator in December. That rules him out.