Wales' Nathan Cleverly Is a True Contender

Wales’s Nathan Cleverly became the country’s only European boxing champion when he beat Italian Antonio Brancalion in five rounds.

The fighter from Cefn Fforest added to his growing list of titles, which include the British and Commonwealth light-heavyweight belts.

Cleverly, who won by technical knock-out at Wembley Arena on Saturday night, said: “I’m really pleased with the win and absolutely ecstatic to pick up another championship belt, and with it move up another level to the European stage.”

Brancalion never looked comfortable against the smart combinations and superior fitness of the opponent 12 years his junior. “It was quite a comfortable fight,” said the Welshman, “it was a matter of being patient and taking the chances when they came.”

The 22-year old picked his moments and did not rush to try and secure an earlier victory, as he took his professional record to an undefeated 19 bouts including nine knock-outs. 

Cleverly is a very bright prospect, and along with the likes of Kevin Mitchell – who fought on the undercard on Saturday – is among the next wave of potential British boxing champions. 

David Haye, Carl Froch and Amir Khan currently head the list, though Cleverly thinks he can match them: “At the moment we have a couple of good world champions, but I’m certainly the youngest and I think the most exciting champion at the moment. 

"I think I’m ready to take the step up and soon be the best and most exciting world champion in Britain.”
Welsh boxing on the other hand is in a poor state and in stark contrast to two years ago when Joe Calzaghe, Enzo Maccarinelli and Gavin Rees were at the pinnacle of the sport. 

Many have inevitably drawn comparisons between the student and Calzaghe, and he is certainly showing potential of emulating him.

But Cleverly may have to wait for his chance to collect his next belt. He has his final exams in May as he works towards his maths degree at Cardiff University – he is currently on a second-class degree – and he admitted: “I will relax for the next couple of weeks before talking to my management and discuss plans about maybe the first defence of the European title or the WBO belt.

“I might be able to get a fight in before my exams, but realistically it is going to be a month or so after they finish.”

The WBO light-heavyweight belt is an option for the student. Bernard Hopkins is currently the number one contender to take on Juergen Braehmer for the title, but he is likely to favour a fight with a bigger pay packet as his career draws to a close. Therefore Cleverly could well be called upon to take on German Karo Murat for the chance to battle against Braehmer, who vacated the European belt before Cleverly emphatically won it at the weekend. 

The light-heavyweight division is currently very competitive with a lot of dangerous fighters. The likes of Chad Dawson and WBC champion Jean Pascal are young and highly talented competitors from North America, while perhaps a couple of fights away lie the big money pay days against Hopkins and Antonio Tarver.

Whatever is to come, having tasted the bright lights on a Calzaghe undercard, the United States is somewhere Cleverly hopes to crack: “Once I’ve got my degree boxing will be my life and I will be more than happy to go to Las Vegas to fight.

“It will be a dream come true to go there and headline in what is the boxing Mecca.”

Promoter Frank Warren, who is caught in a legal battle with his last Welsh light heavyweight superstar, seems to be keeping Cleverly happy: “It’s working well with Frank. 

“He is getting me the fights, keeping me boxing and we are going in the right direction.”

The undefeated champion has the skill, potential and charisma to reach the top and wow the boxing world. Talent does not always get you to the top, though Cleverly seems able to tackle the growing media pressure and attention on him.

What the rest of 2010 and beyond will bring is yet to be seen, but if managed well, and if he continues to develop physically and mentally, he is certainly a fantastic prospect for Wales and Britain.