• Light-heavyweight

Krasniqi confident of cutting down Cleverly

ESPN staff
February 15, 2013
Nathan Cleverly is determined to conquer America, but Robin Krasniqi is ready to spoil the party © PA Photos
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Robin Krasniqi has kicked off the mind games ahead of his fight with Nathan Cleverly, claiming the light-heavyweight is not a one of the best world champions.

Cleverly has spoken confidently about unifying the division, but he has to defend his WBO strap against Krasniqi before thinking about taking on the likes of Chad Dawson and Tavoris Cloud.

The Welshman has amassed a 25-fight unbeaten record, but Krasniqi is far from impressed and is confident of exposing any flaws in Cleverly when the pair meet on March 16.

"Nathan is a world champion but he's not the best world champion and come fight night I will show you why," Krasniqi is quoted as saying in the South Wales Argus. "You are going to see a good fight between two fighters who won't take a backward step. This is the biggest fight of my career and I'm ready to take Nathan's title.

"Nathan has never faced top opponents before, I will be the best he has faced."

The pair were due to fight last April, but it was called off due to an injury to Cleverly and Krasniqi feels the delay has worked to his advantage.

He said: "When the fight was called off I was disappointed but I accepted it, my dream has always been to be a world champion and I've improved a lot in the ten months since then and now.

"It has worked to my advantage."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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