• Boxing

Chisora backs Cleverly for world title

It was heartbreak for Cleverly last time he was in a boxing ring © Getty Images

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Dereck Chisora believes former WBO light-heavyweight champion Nathan Cleverly has made all the necessary improvements to succeed in the cruiserweight division.

European heavyweight champion Chisora defends his title against Matteo Modugno on November 30 at the Copper Box Arena, while Cleverly makes his debut on the undercard against Daniel Ammann for the vacant Commonwealth title.

Cleverly considered quitting after his crushing world title loss to Sergey Kovalev in August but has refocused his energy on becoming a two-weight world champion.

And Chisora believes he should serve as inspiration for his 'close friend' Cleverly, considering nearly quit the sport himself after losing to David Haye but has turned his career around to the extent that he could be on the verge of a second world title opportunity next year.

"I spoke to Nathan after his loss to Kovalev and we had a nice chat, he was down about losing his title and wanted some time to get his head back together and I'm really happy for him that he's decided to continue," Chisora said.

"This is a new chapter in his career and I know that Nathan will come back faster, harder and better as a cruiserweight. He can look to me and my career as an example. It's devastating to lose a fight, I've had setbacks against Tyson Fury, Vitali Klitschko and David Haye, I'm not counting the Robert Helenius fight as everyone knows I won that fight and I was robbed on a home decision, but I've come back and beaten top American Malik Scott and then Edmund Gerber for the European title.

"Knowing the type of character Nathan is I know deep down he didn't want to quit after his loss, he doesn't want to go out on a loss, he wants to go out a winner on his terms. When you're down that's when the real fighter comes out and Nathan now needs to dig deep into himself and show the real fighter that he is and comeback to win the world title again.

"I can see the hunger and desire in his eyes again and he wants it bad. I speak a lot to Nathan he is a great guy, we've sparred a lot together and he's one of my close friends in boxing. I know he can do it and get his world title back."

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