Nathan Cleverly Set To Face Andrzej Fonfara

By Olly Campbell - 06/26/2015 - Comments

It’s now looking next to certain that former WBO light-heavyweight champion Nathan Cleverly will return to the ring in October against Chicago-based Pole Andrzej Fonfara in a bout that is set to be screened on Sky Sports, promoter Eddie Hearn revealed today.

Cleverly was out in a blink and you’ll miss it affair last month on the recent ‘Rule Brittania’ undercard that was headlined by Kell Brook and Frankie Gavin’s IBF welterweight clash. It was a return to 175 lb for the Welshman who flirted with an ill-advised move to cruiserweight following his 4 round destruction at the hands of Sergey Kovalev two years ago.

After a couple of non-noteworthy wins at the weight he seemingly failed to turn up against old rival Tony Bellew in their snooze-fest rematch last November and dropped back down.

Now he looks set to take on the dangerous task of Fonfara – who will enjoy massive support on these shores due to the vast Polish immigrant population that reside here in the UK.

Fonfara was impressive in making Julio Cesar Chavez Jr quit on his stool back in April following 9 rounds of action – and Cleverly’s promoter Hearn has today announced the fight will be formally confirmed in due course.

It’s a tough ask for the Welshman who seemed to lose all of his confidence after the beating Kovalev handed down – and having done nothing noteworthy since, I feel he will be up against it facing Fonfara, who’s only defeat in the last 7 years was against lineal champion Adonis Stevenson last May.

Speaking of what was on the table for his fighter and how the contest came about, Hearn announced via his broadcaster Sky Sports;

“We have had lots of big fight offers come in for Nathan over the past few months and we have taken our time in choosing the right one.”

“The Juergen Braehmer fight was one we were very close to taking but just felt that following his big win over Chavez, Fonfara was the perfect fight on the world stage. We are working with his team on the date – expected to be October and we will release news shortly.”

I’m sure traveling to Germany – as they no doubt would have had to if fighting Braehmer – played a large part in their decision. However in my eyes, Fonfara is hardly a soft option and Cleverly will really need to ensure he truly has the bit back between the teeth if he is to prevail.

I’m as yet to be convinced he does. I honestly believe Kovalev ruined him as a fighter – mentally, more than anything…

Only time will tell…

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