World Boxing Organization (WBO) world light-heavyweight champion Nathan Cleverly expects the Welsh and British boxing fans to be at their very best when he makes his long awaited homecoming on February 25th.
Cleverly will face American Tommy Karpency in the 3rd defence of his world title as he headlines the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff. He’ll be fighting in front of his own Welsh fans for the first time in 4 years and there are just a few hundred tickets left before the show sells out.
“The atmosphere is going to be awesome on the night. It’s going to be a sold out arena and such a good atmosphere. It’s going to give me a great buzz and there’s a good buzz around the fight. I’m excited to come out to an atmosphere like this, it’s going to be electric”, Cleverly commented.
Despite it being the first time that Cleverly will have headlined a show in his homeland, he’s aware that he mustn’t fall for the pitfalls of fighting at home.
“It would be very easy to get carried away once I hear the atmosphere. It would be easy to slip off my plan and go all guns blazing. But I know I can deal with the occasion and the pressure and I’m looking forward to going out and enjoying myself.” said Cleverly.
In the opposition corner will be Karpency and Cleverly is sure that he’ll have not seen any crowd like it before.
He said, “When Karpency hears the atmosphere from the crowd and then he has to deal with me putting it on him in the ring when the first bell goes then he knows he’s in the deep and it’s going to be a very difficult night for Karpency all round.”
Cleverly sees world class potential in Lee Selby
Wales’ only world champion boxer Nathan Cleverly believes he won’t be alone for much longer and he’s backed Barry’s Lee Selby to join him.
Selby burst on to the scene in 2011 when he became British and Commonwealth featherweight champion by knocking out the highly touted Stephen Smith and then domestic veteran John Simpson.
Cleverly commented, “He has the potential to come as far as I have and push on now. He’s very talented and there’s no reason why not, he’s got the boxing ability and skills. I definitely think he can follow in my footsteps.”
Both aged just 24, Cleverly and Selby have shared much of their amateur days together as Cleverly recalls, “We’re the same age and we came through the amateur scene together. We were always in the Welsh championships and he was a couple of weights below me. I’ve known he’s always had class and he’s showing that in the professional ranks now and he’s coming through very well.”
As part of a boxing boom at championship level for Wales during 2011, Selby’s success wasn’t predicted by many but Cleverly states he wasn’t surprised that his fellow Welshman shocked Britain.
“I’m not surprised by his success. He’s come from nowhere really and took his opportunity to win the British and Commonwealth title unexpectedly, but it wasn’t really a surprise to the people who knew him because he’s always had pedigree and I think he’s a very good fighter”
FIRST BOXING SHOW IN NUTLEY IN THREE DCADES TO FEATURE SOME OF NEW JERSEY’S FINEST ON FEBRUARY 17TH
NUTLEY, NEW JERSEY (February 6, 2012)—On Friday night, February 17th, Boxing returns to Nutley, New Jersey at Nutley High School for the first time in nearly three decades as Gabe LaConte’s First Round Promotions presents a terrific night of boxing that will feature some of the best prospects on the East Coast.
In the main event, undefeated Jr. Middleweight Thomas “Cornflake” LaManna will see action in his first six round bout.
“I have been around boxing a long time and it is great to bring boxing back to Nutley”, said LaConte who promoted some of the most memorable shows in the early 1990’s.
“On this card are some of the best prospects around this looks to be one of the best shows in years. We have six undefeated fighters and they will be put in competitive matchups and I look forward to a great night in Nutley”
“We have a great story in Godson Noel who served in the Iraq war and became a decorated amateur and will be making his pro debut on our show”
It’s great to be finally coming home here to Nutley where we haven’t had a show in over thirty years”, said Vinny LaManna, longtime boxing guy and manager/father to the main event fighter..
“In fact the promotion is honoring a gentleman named Ronny Vasallo who happened to be my history teacher in tenth grade. He participated in the last show thirty years ago”
Thomas LaManna, who recently became a licensed manager and has three fighters under his guidance, will look to improve to 7-0 when he takes on Daniel Crabtree.
This will be a special night for LaManna as the Millville, New Jersey resident will return home to the town he grew up in.
He will take on Daniel Crabtree of Hilliard, Ohio. He has a record of 3-3 with all of his wins coming by knockout.
Crabtree has knocked out his last two opponents which includes his last bout on January 13th when he took out Aaron Luckey in Two rounds.
In one co-feature bout, John Lennox (9-1, 4 KO’s) of Carteret, New Jersey will compete for the BAM Heavyweight title when he takes on an opponent to be named in a six round bout.
Richard Pierson (9-2, 6 KO’s) of Newark, NJ will battle an opponent to be named in a Middleweight bout.
Andy Mejias (11-0, 4 KO’s) of Utica, NY will risk his undefeated mark when he takes on an opponent to be named in a Super Middleweight affair.
Kamil Laszczyk of North Bergen, New Jersey via Poland will take on an opponent to be named in a four round Jr. Lightweight bout.
In a four round Middleweight bout, John Thompson (5-0, 1 KO) of Newark, NJ will take on Laureno Laracuente (7-4-1, 2 KO’s) of Mayaguez, Puerto Rico
In a four round Jr. Middleweight bout, nineteen year-old Alantez Fox (6-0, 3 KO’s) battles Fitzgerlad Johnson (2-5, 1 KO) of Asheboro, NC
Godson Noel of Newark, New Jersey will be making his pro debut against fellow debuter Satchell James of Alabama in a four round Middleweight bout.
Rounding out the card will be Heavyweight Aarin Kinch (1-0) of Newark, NJ taking on Clyde Daniel of New York who will be making his pro debut.
Tickets for this outstanding night of boxing cost $100 for VIP (which includes a buffet dinner) and $40 General Admission.
There will be discounted tickets for Students and seniors and all tickets can be purchased at the following places:
Elite Heat Boxing Gym
130 Mt. Pleasant Ave.
Newark, NJ
862 772-2532
White Oak Barber Shop
83 Union Ave.
Nutley, NJ
973-661-3334
Boardwalk Saloon
206 Bloomfield Ave
Newark, NJ
973-483-8766
Nutley High School is located at 300 Franklin Ave.