Warren: Talking With Schaefer on Hopkins vs Cleverly

Frank Warren insists Bernard Hopkins's promoters are the ones that suggested a light-heavyweight unification clash between Hopkins and Nathan Cleverly. Retired great Joe Calzaghe had warned Hopkins would not fight his fellow Welshman as Cleverly was not a "big enough in America" and "too dangerous." But promoter Warren insists Hopkins will have a "big payday" if he crosses the Atlantic Ocean for the first time.

"Of course Hopkins wants a big payday and he will get one," said Warren.

Unbeaten WBO champion Cleverly will first defend his title for a fourth time against Robin Krasniqi at the Royal Albert Hall on 28th of April. The London show is on the same night as American legend Hopkins's WBC world light-heavyweight title rematch with Chad Dawson  in Atlantic City.

Warren wants the two winners, who he hopes will be Cleverly and Hopkins, to meet in a summer showdown in Wales - possibly at the Millennium Stadium.

The British promoter has already confirmed he is in talks with Golden Boy Promotions chief executive Richard Schaefer, who represents Hopkins.

“Hopkins would be the bigger draw, he has the name, status and is still a class operator. It would be a tough fight but even if he got beat, so what?" said Warren. "He is young enough to come again. Even if you lose a fight it is how you lose a fight - and I just feel for Nathan it would be a great fight for him to take. I think styles make fights and I think if the opportunity comes for Nathan Cleverly to fight Bernard Hopkins, it is a fight he should take.

"It will be a tough, tough fight for him but I think his youth and his speed is the key to winning the fight. I think we can make the fight. I've been talking to Richard Schaefer of Golden Boy and it was him who suggested the fight to me. Hopkins will get a big payday and where is he going to fight where they are to draw 40,000 to 50,000 people? There isn't anywhere in America where that is going to happen."