World Boxing News 2010-2013

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Father says belt in no danger Contrary to reports, Nathan Cleverly does not have to face Robin Krasniqi in his very next bout and could have a ten-round non-title outing at the very least when the Welshman fights in the US in two weeks time, according to his father and trainer Vince. Cleverly, who currently holds the WBO light-heavyweight title, has to face mandatory challenger Krasniqi in the near future and there have been some worries that the 25 year-old could be stripped of his belt. This is unlikely to be the case says Vince, who believes that his son will have the leeway to either defend his title against another opponent or fight on November 10 without putting his title on the line. “Although we don’t have official confirmation of what is happening with our opponent, I do know that Nathan will not lose his title,” Vince clarified to World Boxing News. “He will at the worse just have a ten round non-title fight and then move ...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor World champion set for stint at 200lbs Nathan Cleverly is eyeing up a potential move up to cruiserweight in the next couple of years as the current WBO light-heavyweight attempts to unify his current division before moving up to 200lbs. Reports of a move to heavyweight are premature though according to Cleverly’s father and trainer Vince, who told WBN that the top division could be an option in the future, but is likely to be years down the line. “We have spoken about maybe trying heavyweight, but not for a good few years yet,” Vince told World Boxing News. “It would be an option that we would look at but Nathan is still eighteen months away from cruiserweight and would have a few more years filling into that weight. “We have just got to see how things go and at present are taking things one fight at a time.” Cleverly, 25, is currently negotiating with WBA title holder Beibut Shumenov about a possible fight in Las Vegas later thi...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Father says there was no chance of all-Welsh battle According to his father, WBO light-heavyweight champion Nathan Cleverly is currently in negotiations with WBA title holder Beibut Shumenov amongst others, as the Welshman looks to extend his unbeaten record in 2012. The 25 year-old was linked to an all-Welsh world title fight against Enzo Maccarinelli as the former world cruiserweight champion moved down to 175lbs, but Vince, who also trains his son, has poured scorn on the fight ever being on the table. “There was no chance of the fight happening,” Vince told World Boxing News. “It was just a publicity stunt to keep an interest in Welsh boxing. “Negotiations are going ahead between Nathan and the Shumenov camp about the unification fight and also with other boxers as well. I can’t see no reason why the fight between those two can’t happen in Las Vegas this year though provided a deal can be struck soon.” Shumenov, 28, has expressed...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Fellow-Welshman comments on Maccarinelli rumours WBO light-heavyweight champion Nathan Cleverly’s father Vince has spoken to WBN following internet rumours that touted future opponent to his son, Enzo Maccarinelli has recently failed a doping test. Cleverly, who has guided his son to three successful world title defences and an unbeaten 24-fight record, believes that any fighter who finds their skills deteriorating could be vulnerable to making a career-ending mistake. “When a guy is desperate to get back the good years I think he's always tempted to cheat a bit in some way,” Cleverly told World Boxing News. “To be honest, I don’t think Maccarinelli is capable of cheating, but when a man’s career nose dives who knows what their capable of as they have nothing to lose. “Anybody getting caught using illegal substances should be banned. It’s not fair on the hard working genuine guys like Nathan.” The UK-Anti doping agency have today...