• Boxing

Cleverly in a hurry to be crowned undisputed champion

ESPN staff
February 11, 2011
Nathan Cleverly has never been beaten © Getty Images
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Nathan Cleverly is already setting his sights on becoming the undisputed light-heavyweight champion before the year is out, targeting big-money fights with IBF king Tavoris Cloud and veteran Bernard Hopkins.

The 23-year-old Welshman confirmed on Thursday that an agreement had been reached to fight champion Juergen Braehmer for the WBO light-heavyweight title at Wembley Arena on April 2.

Cleverly, who holds a perfect record as a professional, will face his toughest test to date in Braehmer, but the youngster is confident of emulating the success of fellow Welshman Joe Calzaghe, who dominated the super-middleweight scene for 10 years.

"As soon as I win this fight I will be straight on the case of my promoter to fight Tavoris Cloud, the IBF champion," he told the Daily Star. "I want to clean up and be undisputed champion and I reckon I can do that this year, provided I get Braehmer out of the way.

"He's a proper world champion but I know that whatever Braehmer gives me I'm going to walk through it and punish him. If I can beat Braehmer it will open doors for me to the likes of Cloud, the WBC champion Jean Pascal and Bernard Hopkins. I would love to fight in the States sooner rather than later.

"The experience of training alongside Joe Calzaghe was invaluable. I've prepared for this moment for more than 10 years, since I walked into Joe's gym at the age of 11. I've trained like a pro since and I first sparred with him when I was 16. He's telling me now I can be the next big star and be undisputed champ."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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