Nathan Cleverly
2011 will be the biggest year of Nathan Cleverly’s (21-0, 10 KOs) career to date. He has already claimed the British, Commonwealth – and most recently – the interim WBO light-heavyweight belt, but this year he is going to get a crack at the title proper. The likelihood is that he will face the winner of the bout between WBO champion Juergen Braehmer (36-2, 29 KO’s) and WBA champion Beibut Shumenov (10-1, 6 KO’s), who are fighting on January 8th. With an opportunity to claim both belts, there are exciting times ahead for the brainy Welsh maths graduate.
Cleverly is an edge-of-your seat fighter in the same way Carl Froch was until he decided to dust off the old boxing skills for Arthur Abraham. He is an extremely aggressive, come-forward fighter, blitzing his opponents with fast hands and a high work-rate. So far, none of the 21 Cleverly has faced have been able to live with it – although some of that number have had no difficulty in countering him when he is marauding forward. The problem is that for every counter they land, Cleverly has usually flurried with at least three. As exciting as his fights invariably are – which smart ass just mentioned Nadjib Mohammedi (23-2, 12 KOs)? – this all-out style of attack could work to Cleverly’s detriment once he faces a bona fide knock-out artist like Braehmer. Furthermore, it’s unnecessary, the 23-year-old is a fine boxer – stinging jab, quick hands, strong chin, very mobile – he even has a tight orthodox defense when put under pressure, so he just needs to use his boxing skills more and stop getting involved in tear-ups.
The Welshman has had some decent wins; claiming the vacant European belt against iron-chinned Italian Antonio Brancalion (32-8-2, 8 KOs) and a real standout performance against contender Karo Murat (22-1, 13 KOs) on Frank Warren’s Magnificent Seven card. However, Braehmer – the favorite against Shumenov – is a different proposition entirely. Unlike Cleverly, the German has explosive fists and avoiding such bombs over the course of potentially 12 rounds will be by far the biggest test he has faced.
Nathan Cleverly Quote:
“Shumenov is the easier option for Braehmer. He’s avoided me because he knows how dangerous I am. I’ve picked up three major belts and it’s only a matter of time until I get a shot. I’m good enough.”
Tip for 2011
Braehmer should beat Shumenov this week, then Cleverly will get his chance. It will be a very tough fight but he has the beating of the German if he boxes smart and curbs those Froch-esque rushes-of-blood to the head.
