By Dewi Powell: While most university graduates have spent the summer trying to find a job, there’s one in the South Wales Valleys that has been focusing on the biggest night of his life thus far.
Enter Nathan Cleverly. A positive role in a time when bad role models are often prioritised by the media and from a sport often misunderstood by those outside it.
Cleverly has attained a Pure Mathematics degree while winning three major boxing titles and now for the first time, the 23 year old sets about focusing on a full time training camp. Something the Cefn Fforest man says has benefited him greatly.
“The training that we do is the same, same routine, but the difference being now with my degree out the way, is that I’ve got more time to focus on the extra little bits. Whereas before I’d come home from training and I’d have to study, pick up my books, and work hard at that. And that was mentally draining as well, so now I’m more mentally focused on the training so it’s definitely a lot better” insisted the European light-heavyweight champion.
Despite this and also promising at least a 25% increase, Cleverly, 19(9)-0-0, is more than content with the achievements he gained while balancing the books with boxing.
He explained, “In my last seven fights I wouldn’t really have changed anything of my performances. I look back at them, there’s a few things, obviously little errors here and there, I could of tightened my guard a little bit, but overall I was really pleased with the outcome of the fights, the way I performed, and any little errors I see I’ll rectify them and move on to the next fight.”
It’s no coincidence that Cleverly’s hot run of form has come since he departed from Enzo Calzaghe to team up with his father, Vince Cleverly, as co-trainer with Alan Davies.
However, Vince selflessly refuses to accept that he and Alan are the main reason for Nathan’s success and thinks otherwise.
“Basically, it’s Nathan himself.” Vince stated before elaborating. “He’s enjoying the training with me and Alan. He’s more content with the training. We can get the best out of him. I’ve known Nathan, I’ve lived with him for 20 odd years, I’ve brought him up since he was six months old. I know what makes him tick. He enjoys training with Alan, he listens to Alan, he listens to the both of us. I concentrate on the speed, Alan concentrates on the power and together it’s working nicely.”
The combination is working nicely indeed and the hot run of form in Cleverly’s last seven fights has also witnessed six consecutive knockout victories with the development of power snowballing from fight-to-fight.
And the situation is one Vince and Alan have made full use of, “I think it’s (the power) come naturally of course, as he’s getting older he’s getting more powerful and you know he’s getting bigger. And then secondly we have done a few exercises to improve his right hand and different manoeuvres, like the McIntosh punch, we worked on that one. I did say to Nathan, I said “Nath the power in that right hand is quite exceptional” and he said “I don’t think so Dad” and I said “Nath I’m telling you it is”. And he listened thank god, and now he’s proven it” said Vince.
Having fought six times in 12 months from his Commonwealth title light-heavyweight win against the tough Toney Oakey to his first defence of the British light-heavyweight title against Courtney Fry but only once in the last 11 months, a fifth round stoppage against the experienced Antonio Brancalion for the European light-heavyweight title, Cleverly has had a longer rest from the ring than he would of preferred.
“That’s just how it’s been really, obviously with the promotion and finding TV dates and then I had my university studies stepped in the way. And since the Courtney Fry fight I was meant to fight Brancalion straight away, really, it was a December date, the Italian promoters messed us about with that one and that delayed it to February, and my degree came up then, my final exams, struggling to get a date with TV. So it wasn’t out of my preference but that’s boxing” explained the likeable light-heavyweight.
Despite the delay, Cleverly is adamant he’s prepared accordingly, “I thought I would have been fighting a little bit earlier so I was preparing for that fight and then that one got put back, so just preparing as normal really, which has obviously kept me fit and healthy in the gym, the only thing is that I haven’t had the actual ring time, the actual fight. But I had enough fights last year for that not to have any effect really, it shouldn’t do. I’m mentally going into this fight 100% and confident that there’s nothing that will affect my performance really” he insisted.
Cleverly’s next fight is on September 18th as part of Frank Warren’s Magnificent 7 show against Karo Murat at the LG Arena in Birmingham, which he should headline with the withdrawal of Darren Barker in his bout with Matthew Macklin.
“On a personal note for me it’s a massive fight, potentially a world title fight; even if it’s a world title eliminator I see it as my world title fight. So it’s a real, real big occasion for me. And British boxing in general because the show – its some extraordinary fights on, it’s a massive bill, great fights on the undercard, hopefully I can lead the way and put on a good show against Karo Murat.” He explained.
Murat, an Iraqi born German national with a perfect 22(13)-0-0 record, is a threat Cleverly is well aware of.
“He’s obviously from Germany and they’re well schooled fighters, high guard and blocks a lot of shots, come forward, dangerous with the hooks, good power. He’s gonna be a step up, he’s world class, definitely world class – as the fight states, world title eliminator” said Cleverly,
But he then continued on to what Murat will have to face. “He’s gonna come across someone different when he fights me, he’s never gonna fight anybody like me, I’m looking forward to taking this guy out.”
Murat comes to the UK with a style often referred to as ‘European’, but the style which Cleverly may not have seen much of before is something he’s relishing.
“I’m quite looking forward to it actually; I think his style could suit my style really. He comes forward which I don’t mind, he’ll walk on to my shots … hopefully.” He joked. “But I’ve prepared for whatever style. Obviously I’ve got a couple sparring partners in that rectify Karo Murat’s style, so you know that’s the closest we can get really to the actual thing. But on fight night I’ll always find a way to win and I’m sure I’ll work his style out after round one.”
As for the fight itself, a relaxed Cleverly refuses to tie himself down to a set game plan even with the obvious advantages of height, five inches in total.
“I could out manoeuvre him; out box him if I really wanted to. There’s that way of fighting or there’s the total opposite and standing and trading. It all depends what mood I’m in really when I start the fight, it genuinely does. I’m not going in with a game plan, that’s not my style really, no game plan. Whatever happens will happen; I just know I will win the fight.”
And Cleverly is confident he has more than one way to win the fight, “As soon as that bell goes my instincts will take over and I’ll soon see which shots are working, which shots are not. So it could be the right hook, could be the left hook, could be whatever shot but either way I’m sure I’ll find the shots to be victorious.”
Despite the two not meeting yet, the fight has developed some spice with Murat claiming Cleverly thinks he’s as good as Joe Calzaghe, declaring he’ll give Cleverly no respect and labelling Cleverly a ‘’big mouth’’. Actions Cleverly believe has worked in his favour.
“He’s just added fuel to the fire really. I hate this guy, for some reason this guy has wound me up. He’s added fuel to the fire and I’m gonna take my aggression out on this guy. He’s in for a real, real shock when we step in that ring and there’s no way I can leave this guy beat me after, he has been a bit disrespectful. I respect him for coming over to Britain and taking me on but its gonna be a massive mistake.”
Cleverly also clarified that if it be for the WBO title, should Jurgen Braehmer be found guilty of Assault and Insulting Behaviour then serve a 16 month sentence, and Cleverly beats Murat, he wouldn’t rest back with a version of the world title.
“Once I beat Murat I’m gonna be straight on the case of those guys (the other title holders). I’m not holding back, once I get Murat out of the way I’m definitely on the case. I don’t want it to be a case of beating Murat and then making easy defences, obviously if I get it, the world title. I want to go straight for the big fights because I feel I’ve got the confidence to do them and I’ve got the belief to fight for the big fights and that’s the fights I want really, the big fights” Cleverly warned.
Nathan Cleverly has never given any reason to doubt his mental focus but, as he recognises, he had a lot to balance with university and boxing.
However, come September 18th, Nathan Cleverly will find himself in an unfamiliar place. Fully focused on the toughest opponent he’ll have faced. If there’s a time to be Clever, then now is his time as he’s about to embark on a new chapter of his boxing career.
September 4, 2010
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