Nathan Cleverly Drops Back Down To 175, Returns 4/11

By Jake Donovan

A brief stay at cruiserweight was enough to convince Nathan Cleverly to return to the light heavyweight division, where he will pursue another title run.

The Welshman drops back down in weight upon his ring return, which will come on April 11 in Leeds, England. An opponent has yet to be determined for his first fight at light heavyweight since losing his title to Sergey Kovalev in Aug. '13.

Following the loss, Cleverly (28-2, 14KOs) added some 25 lb. to his lean frame and opted for a run in the cruiserweight division. Three fights came of his campaign—all of which took place in 2014—but ended with a split decision loss to Tony Bellew in their well-publicized rematch last November. Cleverly had previously outpointed Bellew in their Oct. '11 light heavyweight title fight thriller. 

Cleverly's placement on the April 11 card—which is topped by a featherweight title elimimator between unbeaten Josh Warringon and Dennis Tubieron—was confirmed on Wednesday by Matchroom Boxing, who will promote the event. The show will air live on Sky Sports in the United Kingdom. 

With a win in April, tentative plans call for a course of action that will lead to another light heavyweight title shot. There is a lengthy line in place for Cleverly's first conqueror, as Kovalev is currently slated to face former 175 lb. king Jean Pascal on March 14. The winner will be looking at either by mandatory title fight obligations or—should the stars properly align—plans for a coveted showdown with World light heavyweight king Adonis Stevenson.

Taking that into consideration, the short-term goal for Cleverly is to pursue a fight with Germany's Jürgen Brähmer, who holds an alphabet belt of sorts and next defends on March 21 against an opponent to be determined.

Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene.com, as well as a member of Transnational Boxing Ratings Board and the Boxing Writers Association of America. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox