by James Slater: It seems just about any world class fighter at either 168 or 175-pounds is interested in a big fight with WBC light-heavyweight king Jean Pascal. Certainly Pascal, still enjoying the attention his fine upset win over Chad Dawson has deservedly brought him, can afford to pick and choose who he fights next (Pascal can have one “interim” fight before he must grant Dawson his rematch clause-enforced rematch).
Everyone from Carl Froch (the only man to have beaten Canada’s Pascal), Lucian Bute, Bernard Hopkins, Tavoris Cloud, and now Welshman Nathan Cleverly has shown an interest in a possible clash with the all-action warrior who can box, brawl and slug.
Cleverly, one of the most exciting and promising talents the world over in recent years, faces German-based Iraqi Karo Murat next, in a September 18th eliminator for the WBO 175-pound crown currently held by Juergen Braehmner. And “Clev” has said his ultimate goal after beating Murat, unbeaten at 22-0(13), is a 2011 fight with Pascal – the man who now also holds the prestigious Ring magazine belt at light-heavy.
“Now Pascal has the Ring magazine title he’s the man I want to beat,” Cleverly, 19-0(9) told BBC. “I followed Saturday’s fight with interest. Dawson has been the man to beat for the last couple of years, but now Pascal has taken that crown. I watched his fight with Carl Froch and he’s a great fighter, but Froch showed he can be beaten.
“I’ve got respect for all the top guys in the light-heavyweight division, but I’m confident that this time next year I will be fighting them and I will be beating them.”
A number of fans may not yet be too familiar with Cleverly, but he is no hype job. Long-armed, tall and athletic, the 23-year-old also has a fine boxing brain and constantly improving punching power. Having won all the big titles available to him below world level – British, Commonwealth and European – Cleverly now takes the big test against 26-year-old Murat. And, as the Welshman knows only too well, a loss on Sept. 18th will ruin all his big plans.
“My fight against Murat is very important,” Cleverly said. “Lose and I am back to the drawing board, win and I am in a great position. I’m sure Pascal will be tied up in rematch clauses with Dawson, but if I can win the WBO title, then a unification fight in 2011 would be fantastic.”
Some fans, those who are familiar with Cleverly, may feel he is rushing things and also being guilty of looking too far ahead; after all he has yet to get past the unbeaten Murat. But Cleverly does look like a future world champion and he may also be a very special fighter. And who can fault his self confidence?
Murat doesn’t much like Cleverly’s attitude, however, and he has referred to him as mouthy. An insult that has deeply angered the unbeaten rising star.
“He said I’m a ‘gobby’ fighter,” Cleverly said. “He’s angered me. Trust me, that only added fuel to the fire, I will destroy Murat.”
If he does so, Cleverly will be in line for a crack at the WBO belt, and then maybe the really big fights after that!