Nathan Cleverly Wins "Young Boxer of The Year" Award

After a 12 months of stunning success, Nathan Cleverly has bagged this year's Boxing Writers' Young Boxer of the Year award.

The 23-year-old British and former European light-heavyweight champion triumphed in the prestigious annual poll, hot off his stunning victory over Karo Murat this month in Birmingham

It makes up for last year when he lost out to stable-mate Kell Brook by just one vote.

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The award caps a remarkable year for Cleverly, who not only picked up the European belt and graduated from university in pure mathematics, but also moved into poll position for a crack at the WBO world title.

He joins the likes of Kell Brook, Derry Mathews, Amir Khan, Enzo Maccarinelli, Kevin Mitchell, Scott Harrison, Alex Arthur, Michael Gomez, Ricky Hatton, Ryan Rhodes, Joe Calzaghe, Naseem Hamed, Nigel Benn, Keith Wallace and Errol Christie, as boxers who have won the Young Boxer of the Year award under the guidance of Frank Warren.

And he is just the ninth Welshman to have picked up the honour.

"I'm am delighted and honoured to have won," said undefeated Cleverly.

"Britain has some of the most knowledgeable journalists in the world when it comes to boxing, and their backing is a terrific boost.

"Now I have to repay their faith by winning a world title."

Warren, who has overseen the formative years of nine of the last 11 winners, added: "This award reflects the hard work that Nathan has put in over the last 12 months, and I cannot think of a more deserving recipient.

"I said after his last fight that he will be remembered alongside the likes of Joe Calzaghe and Ricky Hatton, and I am expecting big things of him over the next year or so."