• Light-heavyweight

Cleverly-Hopkins fight inches nearer

A fight with the Executioner could be on the cards for Nathan Cleverly in 2012 © Getty Images

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A light-heavyweight unification showdown between Nathan Cleverly and Bernard Hopkins has moved a step closer after the American cast doubt over a rematch with Chad Dawson.

Cleverly has made known his desire to unify the division in 2012, and is hoping to bring WBC champion Hopkins to Wales later in the year for a showdown at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.

Hopkins has been ordered by the WBC to fight Dawson again following a controversial no-contest in October, when Hopkins was dumped to the canvas rendering him unable to continue. At the time, Dawson was awarded the decision via a technical knockout but the California State Athletic Commission overturned the result and the sanctioning organisation later restored the title to Hopkins by declaring the fight a technical draw.

Although a rematch with Dawson is conceivable, it is a clash with WBO king Cleverly - who is readying himself for a defence of his title on February 25 against an as yet unnamed opponent - or WBA title holder Beibut Shumenov who the veteran is training his sight on.

"I would like to fight the WBA guy [Shumenov] or the WBO guy [Cleverly]; he's been calling me out on certain websites,' he told Ring TV. "Chad Dawson? Under the right circumstances. The worst circumstances are that I would have to be forced to fulfill the obligations of the WBC.

"I would like to see if his side and my side can find an interest from someone who wants to put up money for the fight but I doubt it."

Despite his scepticism, Dawson's promoter Gary Shaw is confident a second bout will go ahead.

He said: "I will be calling [Golden Boy Promotions CEO] Richard Schaefer this week to start a negotiation.

"Chad Dawson is ready, willing and able to fulfil his obligation to challenge Bernard Hopkins for the WBC world title."

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