• Nathan Cleverly v Robin Krasniqi

WBO rejects Cleverly v Krasniqi fight

ESPN staff
March 20, 2012
Nathan Cleverly's promoter Frank Warren is in talks with the WBO as he aims to end the impasse © Getty Images
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Nathan Cleverly may have to find a new April 28 opponent after the WBO refused to sanction his planned light-heavyweight title defence against Robin Krasniqi.

Cleverly held a press conference on Tuesday to announce his intention to fight Krasniqi at the Royal Albert Hall in London. The Germany-based Serbian, a former WBO European champion, has won 37 of 39 fights and is ranked fourth by the WBO. His two losses arrived in his first three professional bouts.

However, the WBO reacted swiftly to say that Cleverly must face a mandatory opponent, having beaten little-known Tommy Karpency last month.

"Francisco Valcarcel [the WBO president] commented that the bout between Nathan Cleverly and Robin Krasniqi can't and won't be sanctioned," read a statement.

"Nathan Cleverly's fight with Karpency was sanctioned with the provision that the winner meet his mandatory opponent 120 days from the day of the bout."

A spokesman for Frank Warren confirmed the promoter is in talks with the WBO in the hope of resolving the impasse.

Meanwhile, it has been announced that European super-middleweight champion James DeGale will put his belt on the line against Italian veteran Cristian Sanavia in Sweden on April 21.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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