Nathan Cleverly has welcomed the attention from IBF light-heavyweight kind Tavoris Cloud - but says he would love to shut the American up.

 

Last week, Cloud called out the unbeaten Welsh star, telling him "I'll knock you out in the UK".

 

But Cleverly, who will challenge for the interim WBO World Light-Heavyweight title on December 11 in Liverpool, has hit back.

 

"Cloud's more than welcome to come to Wales and try and knock me out," he said.

 

"But quite a few fighters have tried before and got nowhere.

 

"It's fantastic that the top American fighters are now sitting up and taking notice of me as it shows just how far I have come in a few short years and I'm still only 23.

 

"I can't wait to mix up with them and take them on in their own backyard or wherever they want.

 

"I spent years sparring with the likes of world champions Joe Calzaghe, Enzo Maccarinelli and Gary Lockett which is the best ring education I could have got.

 

"I've got a solid chin and Cloud is welcome to come and test it. When I start landing on him, he'll wish he was back in the States."

 

Cleverly, who picked up the Boxing Writers' Young Boxer of the Year award last week, added: "Cloud's comments show that my name is getting bigger and bigger in America.

 

"It's flattering in a way because now Cloud and other people in American are beginning to recognise I'm a world class talent.

 

"I think I moved in to world class with my win over Karo Murat in my last fight.

 

"Next time out I am fighting for a world title, and I'm getting better every time I step through the ropes."

 

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