Nathan Cleverly-Antonio Brancalion – Can Cleverly Go To Italy And Win The European Crown?

by James Slater – Undefeated Welshman Nathan Cleverly will be hoping for a happy new year in January, as he travels to Italy to fight for the vacant European light-heavyweight title. The 22-year-old who burst into public prominence at a high level in October of 2008, when he won the Commonwealth title with a win over Tony Oakey, will face the experienced Antonio Brancalion, the 33-year-old former European Union champion at 175-pounds..

Having what will be only his second pro bout outside of the U.K (Cleverly boxed in Las Vegas, on the under-card of the Calzaghe-Hopkins bill in April 2008), the 18-0(8) star in the making could have a tough fight on his hands. After the class, the talent and the desire to reach the very top he has shown so far in his career, though, Cleverly will likely be the favourite to win.

Brancalion, at 32-7-2(8) may have seen better days. Last time out, against German southpaw Juergen Braehmer in June of this year, the Italian was TKO’d in the opening round of another European light-heavyweight title bout. A bad loss to have suffered, Brancalion had never been stopped as a pro before. The timing of the January27th fight could be just about perfect for Cleverly.

Younger than Brancalion, a harder hitter and also taller at 6.3.5″ to 6’1,” Cleverly holds every possible advantage apart from experience and fighting at home. In the past, a number of good, even great fighters have a had a hard time going to Italy and winning, and Brancaliaon, knowing his career is on the line, will likely give it everything he has in the fight to be held in his homeland.

But Cleverly, who has looked pretty close to perfect in his last couple of outings – stopping Danny McIntosh in July to add the British belt to his Commonwealth, and then also stopping Courtney Fry in his last bout, back in October – is brimming with confidence ahead of the contest. As such, it would be quite a shock if the university student were derailed next year.

Brancalion has been in with some top names, including Mario Veit and Stipe Drews, who both out-pointed him, and Tomas Adamek (no, not that one!) who he out-scored, and despite the quick loss he suffered in his last bout he doesn’t figure to fold against Cleverly.

That said, the younger, fresher and probably stronger man will get the job done, most likely via a mid-rounds stoppage. As is always the case when fighting away from home, it’s safer if you can get a KO. I think Cleverly will get one, as he picks up his third professional title.