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Ryan Coyne: I am already treated like the sacrificial lamb to Nathan Cleverly

Frank Stea
Head Reporter

Undefeated light heavyweight “The Irish Outlaw” Ryan Coyne 21-0 (9KOs) is getting a golden opportunity that most fighters don’t get under the circumstances. 

Usually a world champion gets the option to fight in their hometown or within the vicinity but this time, unbeaten WBO world light heavyweight champion Nathan Cleverly 24-0 (11KOs) has opted to cross the pond and defend his title against a former cruiserweight prospect.

Not only is Coyne getting a shot at a world title, he is getting the chance to face one of the United Kingdom’s brightest stars here in the United States on November 10th in Los Angeles, California.

“This is truly a unique and once in a lifetime opportunity for many reasons. Every fighter’s dream is to fight for a world title and not only to fight for a world title, but to win a world title.” Coyne told WBN.

“The way that this is going down, being Nathan Cleverly fighting on the other side of the pond to the United Kingdom and for me to get a crack at him in America - opportunities like this simply do not happen in this business. “

“There was never of question of where I am going to train? How long can I get ready for it? What am I getting paid?  The answer was just YES YES YES YES and I’m ready for this fight.”

Immediately since the fight's announcement, many experts are not giving Coyne a chance at being competitive with Cleverly, even with the fight being Stateside. Coyne himself has pretty much figured out the back story on why this fight was made and plans to prove all doubters wrong next month.

“Frank Warren is a great promoter," said Coyne. "He knows that he has been unable to lure the big sexy names over to the UK to fight Cleverly and he is getting pro-active about it and bringing his charge over here.  

"So I am being viewed as the sacrificial lamb or the stepping  stone. Call me whatever you want, I don’t really care, but he want's to showcase his guy and apparently I am the charge to do so.

“It’s no secret.  They have their eyes on the Beibut Shumenov’s, the Bernard Hopkins, the Clouds, and other fighter's of that nature and I read the press releases of this fight and I see those names more than I see my own and I am the guy that’s fighting him.  

"A lot of guys are saying I am being disrespected but I don’t care, the bottom line is, not matter if he called for a fight with Rocky Marciano on November 10th, he’s fighting the Irish Outlaw and he is going to lose his title to me.“

Follow Ryan Coyne on Twitter @IrishOutlawBxng

Frank Stea is co-presenter of ATG Radio as well as a head reporter at WBN, follow him on Twitter @FrankStea and @ATGRadio.

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