By Ryan Waugh: Nathan Cleverly is in prime condition ahead of his third defence of his WBO light heavyweight title with Tommy Karpency in Cardiff on Saturday 25 February.
The Caerphilly born 24-year-old will defend his title at the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff, Wales for the first time in just over four years. On his last appearance in his homeland he defeated Joey Vegas at the Millennium Stadium, in November 2007.
With the bout now just over three weeks away-Cleverly said: “I’m enjoying the occasion and enjoying the spirit of being World champion and the homecoming which is now just around the corner.
“I am mentally and physically focused and in shape. It’s just a matter of focusing now for the last few weeks. It’s just an occasion that I am going to enjoy really rather than putting myself under any pressure.”
The Welshman will enter the contest on the back of an explosive close fought victory over Liverpudlian Tony Bellew, in which he had to dig deep to secure the victory.
Some newspaper reports stated the next day that Cleverly showed just why he is a world champion with a dogged but classy performance against the determined Bellew, he said: “The Bellew fight was good-it was a real war-it lived up to expectations and was a great fight for British boxing.
“The public enjoyed the fight-and winning the bout was the most important thing-which I did.”
Next up for the undefeated Welshman with a record of 23-0 (11) is a clash with unknown American, Karpency.
The 26-year-old, who has a record of, 21-2-1 (14), is a dangerous southpaw who will visit the capital of Wales looking to cause an upset.
