Boxing Betting: Time to sit up and take note of Cleverly

Boxing Betting / Paul Moon / 14 July 2010 / 2

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Cleverly is in fantastic physical condition and fully focused on boxing now that his days of studying are over

"Team Cleverly does not subscribe to the archetypal modern-day boxing training regime. They see no point in early morning starts, cold baths or bleep tests but they get the basics right while fully understanding the raw nature of boxing."

Paul Moon has been following the progress of Nathan Cleverly from very close up and tells us why Welsh sports fans and indeed all boxing fans should take note of this young talent.

Could it be possible that at last Wales are about to recognise they have a new boxing superstar in 23-year old Nathan Cleverly? What he has achieved in boxing so far has been quite incredible given his age and the time out of the sport he has spent studying. To put it into context, he has won the British, European and Commonwealth light-heavyweight titles quicker than John Conteh (the former world light-heavyweight champion) and all this whilst graduating from Cardiff University with a mathematics degree.

For the first time in his professional career he will be able to concentrate fully on boxing. After ditching his university lifestyle he is already reaping the benefits in training, showing massive improvement. I was at his gym last week to watch him train and was massively impressed with his conditioning and hunger to keep going.

Team Cleverly does not subscribe to the archetypal modern-day boxing training regime. They see no point in early morning starts, cold baths or bleep tests but they get the basics right while fully understanding the raw nature of boxing.

Determined to fight the best available, he has no plans to dodge, pick fights or go down the easy route (unlike some of his contemporaries). He has matured physically as his weight fills his frame, the power and leverage, strength and stamina are rapidly increasing whilst sustaining his remarkable hand speed. It has been no coincidence that his last six fights have ended in knockout wins and against increasingly able fighters. This upward curve will surely continue.

He is ultra-confident yet totally focussed and looks the complete package. He has no problems with injuries, weight or diet; there are no visible or mental weaknesses. However, like most boxers he acknowledges his defence can always be improved.

He is not a boxer who relies on a single strategy or punch though his right crosses are becoming fearsome. Cleverly is a rare commodity in that he is an intelligent fighter able to make decisions in the ring on the night of the fight and at a particular moment.

His ultimate goal is to be Light heavyweight World Champion within the next six to nine months and he headlines Frank Warren's 'Magnificent Seven' show at Birmingham's LG Arena on 18 September. There he fights German-raised Armenian-born Karo Murat (26) for a WBO light heavyweight title eliminator. It could be for the full title should current champ Jurgen Braehmer be stripped of the belt pending an appeal against a jail sentence for an assault conviction.

German boxing is famous for being reliant on hometown decisions so it is somewhat surprising to see Murat travelling to the UK to fight. He is a hungry fighter and will be no pushover, his record of 22 wins unbeaten (13 KO) is testament to that. His style of coming forward and exploding from a crouch position primarily with left hooks will suit the style of Cleverly who has height and reach advantage.

His trainer and father Vince have advised readers to back a win in the eighth or ninth round while Nathan tells us he is extremely confident and will win. This is what they told us last time.

Promoter Frank Warren told Betfair "Nathan has a tough, tough fight against Murat who, like Nathan, is also undefeated. It is a huge test for him, but I feel that Nathan is ready for it and a win will really launch him as one of the big name British fighters. He can now fully concentrate on his world title ambitions and I know he can do it."

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Blodwyn Dai-Jones | 16 July 2010

I have seen Nathan fight not in person but on T.V and was immensley impressed by his tactical ploy, he is a man with a surname ( Cleverley) which matches his brain.I truly believe that if he does defeat Karo Murat then he will go to the top of his proffesion . He has now passed his mathematics degree and can consentrate fully on his main ambition to be the best.
He is young and hungry and can only improve on what he has achieved so far.
Good Luck Nathan lets hope you are world champ next year .
valley boy | 17 July 2010

mr moon, lot of facts and figers not what i like to read perhaps after the morat fight you will have more to write about........!