Nathan Cleverly looking to break kovalev bit by bit

[taansend]

It's was still a free belt, sorry

So if Kovalev wins does that mean he has a free belt?

[Dirk Diggler UK]

It's was still a free belt, sorry

Why is it used to criticise Cleverly? It's through no fault of his own.

Neither have the numerous big fights he's tried to secure which have not come to fruition. Surely the "protected" crap can be dropped now that he's taking this fight against Kovalev when he doesn't have to.

But no....a man who supports a proper Euro Bum like Gregorz "I lost to Kerry Hope" Proska....is still calling him protected. Go figure.

[hhwff3000]

I respect Cleverly for taking on the GGG of 175lb. Win or Lose, I ride with him for taking this fight because he didn't have too. A devastating KO could send his career into oblivion but he doesn't seem to care because he's confident in his abilities. What's not to like about that?

[{Darko}]

This "given a free belt" nonsense is pure revisionist history at it's best.

Cleverly was scheduled to face Jurgen Brahmer - the champion - but Brahmer b1tched out of the fight. Now it's used as a stick to beat Cleverly with. Pathetic.

he ducked his mandatory sukhotsky for two years while fighting bums and it was pathetic. sukhotsky was big time robbed against brahmer and should have been champion.

[Russian Crushin]

Why is it used to criticise Cleverly? It's through no fault of his own.

Neither have the numerous big fights he's tried to secure which have not come to fruition. Surely the "protected" crap can be dropped now that he's taking this fight against Kovalev when he doesn't have to.

But no....a man who supports a proper Euro Bum like Gregorz "I lost to Kerry Hope" Proska....is still calling him protected. Go figure.

Because he was given a free belt. You're somehow giving him credit for getting that belt. And since getting it for free has no done it any justice, so yes he's been protected

Oh looks like someone's mad tryin to defend clevs bum record and free belt what's next you're gonna correct my spelling and grammar?

Clev has faced nothing but bums and was given a free belt, deal with it

[Dirk Diggler UK]

Because he was given a free belt. You're somehow giving him credit for getting that belt. And since getting it for free has no done it any justice, so yes he's been protected

Oh looks like someone's mad tryin to defend clevs bum record and free belt what's next you're gonna correct my spelling and grammar?

Clev has faced nothing but bums and was given a free belt, deal with it

Where did I give him credit? I didn't but I don't use it as a stick to beat him with because it's not his fault that Brahmer pulled out.

Cleverly has since offered fights to Hopkins, Froch and Shumenov which have all been rejected.

Oh the "you mad" routine. Very original. Nah I'm just pointing out the stinging irony in YOU of all people calling a fighter protected considering the fighters you champion. Remember when you said Proska was the best middleweight in the world?

Your assessment of fighters means nothing. Deal with it.

[RightJab]

Does he still wear them ****** bandanas into the ring now? I can't stand that, he looks like a right morong... Might as well carry a ***in spear in with him too.

In fairness it wasn't Cleverlys fault Brahmer backed out as has been pointed out i agree with that, but technically he didn't have the 'world title' fight against the champ for it (even keeping in consideration Nath couldn't help Jurgen backing out) he still to be fair did *** all to get the belt in that regard, thus 'free belt' i can see both sides of the coin.

I wish him the best, he is talented no doubt, but bar Bellew (whom imo is a good boxer but nothing exceptional) he's not really fought anyone that good, lots of no marks. Thats fish eyes fault though... So it is hard to gauge how good he really is.

Time will tell.... I'm intrigued to see which 'bit' Cleverly will take from Kovalev first, and where he will put said bit.

[Dirk Diggler UK]

I wish him the best, he is talented no doubt, but bar Bellew (whom imo is a good boxer but nothing exceptional) he's not really fought anyone that good, lots of no marks. Thats fish eyes fault though... So it is hard to gauge how good he really is.

It's no ones fault. Cleverly agreed a fight with Hopkins last year but Hopkins chose Cloud instead. Warren has made a couple of big offers to Froch which have been rejected. Shumenov turned down the fight in the UK. Cleverly has long been seeking out these fights and just the very fact that he's signed this fight with Kovalev should be proof of that.

Remember he's still only 26. It's not like he manoeuvred his way to the title by underhanded tactics like say Julio Cesar Chavez Jr - now that was a "free belt". He worked his way to a mandatory position and the champ ducked him.

[BigAlexSand]

This will be in my opinion Kovalev's time to Shine. He has heavy hands and will break Cleverly quickly.

[RightJab]

It's no ones fault. Cleverly agreed a fight with Hopkins last year but Hopkins chose Cloud instead. Warren has made a couple of big offers to Froch which have been rejected. Shumenov turned down the fight in the UK. Cleverly has long been seeking out these fights and just the very fact that he's signed this fight with Kovalev should be proof of that.

Remember he's still only 26. It's not like he manoeuvred his way to the title by underhanded tactics like say Julio Cesar Chavez Jr - now that was a "free belt". He worked his way to a mandatory position and the champ ducked him.

Well that's me told! He does still have another 8+ years in the tank to be fair, its true what you said with the chavez jr comparison, when you put it in that light, fair-do's.

Time will tell, he's a good lad, hopefully he will get some good names over in the states (unless they come here) i don't think B-Hop would, unless the moneys right of course.

I think Froch will beat Groves, and whether its 1-3 fights down the line i can see him vs Cleverly maybe as a kind of 'passing of the torch' fight... Thats why Froch didn't take the offer imo, Clevs just wasn't on his radar at the time, but maybe soon. Peace!