Nathan Cleverly responds to Tavoris Cloud
Volcanoes are starting to erupt in the light heavyweight division, and they don’t involve Bernard Hopkins or Jean Pascal.
In response to a recent challenge, British light heavyweight European/British champion Nathan Cleverly says he will take on IBF light heavyweight titlist Tavoris Cloud and make him “wish he was back in the States.”
Cleverly’s words came after Cloud called the out Cleverly, 23, by saying he would knock him out in his home territory of Britain.
"Cloud's more than welcome to come to Wales and try and knock me out," Cleverly said. “But quite a few fighters have tried before and got nowhere.”
Musing more generally, Cloud’s words seemed to please Cleverly, who added: “It's fantastic that the top American fighters are now sitting up and taking notice of me as it shows just how far I have come in a few short years and I'm still only 23. I can't
wait to mix up with them and take them on in their own backyard or wherever they want.”
In his last bout, Cleverly beat a game Karo Murat in an eliminator for the WBO light heavyweight title. He is expected to take on Jurgen Brahmer sometime in the near future, but may be awarded the title without the effort, as Brahmer awaits a December 13
court ruling for allegations of assault.
"I spent years sparring with the likes of world champions Joe Calzaghe, Enzo Maccarinelli and Gary Lockett, which is the best ring education I could have got. I've got a solid chin and Cloud is welcome to come and test it. When I start landing on him, he'll
wish he was back in the States,” Cloud said.
Earlier this year Cleverly graduated from Cardiff University with a degree in mathematics. Unlike many other fighters, Cleverly felt the credentials could come in handy should he ever decide not to pursue professional boxing.
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