• Boxing

Cleverly seals title shot with Braehmer

Nathan Cleverly will fight for the WBO crown on April 2 © Getty Images

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Nathan Cleverly has reached an agreement to fight champion Juergen Braehmer for the WBO light-heavyweight title in London on April 2.

As the No. 1 contender, Braehmer had to agree to fight the 23-year-old Welshman or be stripped of his title, having earlier pulled out of a scheduled contest with WBA belt-holder Beibut Shumenov due to injury.

Cleverly is currently the interim WBO champion after Braehmer found himself embroiled in legal proceedings, but the German's ongoing appeal will allow him a chance to win the crown - rather than see it gifted to him by other circumstances.

"I always thought that I would get my shot at Braehmer," Cleverly said at the fight announcement. "There was talk that he might be stripped or would vacate the title, but I never wanted that to happen.

"He's the champion and the only way I would consider myself a true champion is if I took the belt from him, rather than picking up the vacant title."

His promoter, Frank Warren, believes the fight could come to define Cleverly's future path.

"I'm delighted that I've been able to secure home advantage for Nathan. He's worked incredibly hard for this opportunity, and waited patiently to get his shot," Warren said. "He's getting this fight at exactly the right time, and it could be a massive moment in his career. This is a huge fight.

"Braehmer is a proven champion and belongs at elite level, while Cleverly is young and hungry and could be the next big thing in the UK."

Cleverly won the interim crown in December last year by beating Frenchman Nadjib Mohammedi on points after a gruelling contest at Liverpool's Echo Arena.

He is unbeaten in 21 fights as a professional, and would become the 11th Welshman to hold a boxing world title should he beat Braehmer in a bout expected to be held at Wembley Arena.

His southpaw opponent has a record of 36 wins and two defeats.

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