Boxing Betting: Cleverly can knock Brancalion into retirement

Boxing Betting / Paul Moon / 12 February 2010 / 2

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"Cleverly is a natural 175-pounder and is now fighting at his optimum weight. His energy, speed, power, progression and natural stamina will be too much for the ageing Italian."

Paul Moon goes inside Nathan Cleverly's training camp and finds the Welshman in confident mood as he prepares for his title fight on Saturday night.

This Saturday, at Wembley Arena, the postponed European light-heavyweight title fight will take place between British and Commonwealth champion Nathan Cleverly and former European champion Antonio Brancalion.

Cleverly is destined to become only the seventh Welshman ever to hold the British, Commonwealth and the European crowns. Of that elite group, only Freddie Welsh went on to win a world title but Cleverly is bang on target to be the next. Currently third in the IBF light-heavyweight rankings with numbers one and two vacant, the Welshman could soon be in the mandatory challenger to champion Tavoris Cloud.

This will be Cleverly's seventh championship fight in the space of 16 months and he has never been stronger. The mood in the camp is very confident. Yes, Brancalion is capable and experienced, but this fight represents a last hurrah. The chances of him regaining the European title are remote and retirement beckons. In his last fight, against Germany's Juergen Braehmer, there was evidence he did not relish it and he showed some curious behaviour (including going down on one knee as Braehmer approached him). He succumbed in one minute 23 seconds of the first round. That's all the boxing he's had in 14 months.

Brancalion has good basic and evasive skills but with little power. He likes to jab, use a straight right hand then dance away. He specialises in making poor fighters look worse. Although boasting 13 years experience he has spent most of his career in a bubbled comfort zone fighting 34 out of 41 contests in Italy against second-rate countrymen and Hungarians. His record is solid if unspectacular, recording 32 wins with just eight knockouts (only one in his last 12 fights).

Apart from his experience Brancalion is giving away venue, height and reach advantage. Cleverly is a natural 175-pounder and is now fighting at his optimum weight. His energy, speed, power, progression and natural stamina will be too much for the ageing Italian. A strong jab, a variety of shots and good footwork support these attributes.

Cleverly says that he will not allow Brancalion his customary step forward. He promises to take him off his feet and impose himself from the first bell. Vince, Cleverly's father and trainer, told me that the fight will be decided between round one and six.

Frank Warren confirmed that should Nathan come through this fight with style his preference is for two defences of the European title before being stepped up to a World title fight. The Commonwealth title will be relinquished.

To date, the true value of Nathan Cleverly's achievements have yet to be recognised. A testament to his intelligence and determination will see him graduate in Maths at Cardiff University this May whilst pursuing his boxing career. It is bitterly disappointing that the Welsh public has yet to acknowledge him. But they will.

Latest Betfair prices for the fight: Cleverly [1.11] Brancalion [9.0] Draw [36.0]. An early round knockout win by Cleverly is advised.

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RAY | 12 February 2010

enjoyed the article mr moon looking forward to the fight on saterday evening .
Boxing Cleverly | 12 February 2010

As a boxing enthusiast I cant help wondering what jo publc really want from from a Home town boxer who has done everything except be recognised and given the support and so deserves.
Get on Nathan to win between the early rounds and make some money . My money is on .