New WBO light-heavyweight champion Nathan Cleverly says he is ready for the best in the world after making a successful first defence of his title.

The Welshman beat Aleksy Kuziemski at the O2 Arena with a fourth round stoppage.

"I want the best in America," said Cleverly. "I'm ready for the likes of Hopkins, Tavoris Cloud or Chad Dawson.

"What a rollercoaster week it has been, but I picked myself up and stayed mentally focused.

"I was happy with that, I'm going home a world champion.

"I thought if the ref had kept it going on a little bit longer I would have put him on the canvas.

"But the ref stepped in. That doesn't matter to me now. This is a great feeling."

Promoter Frank Warren also backed his new world champion to impress in his next few fights.

"Nathan's got a lot of options," said Warren.

"I want to take him to Wales and give him a defence there because he has been on the road a long time.

"I'd put him in with any of the names he's mentioned, and Tony Bellew is in the mix as well."