Comments Thread For: Cleverly Hoping Kovalev Will Be His 'Lacy' Moment

[BIGPOPPAPUMP]

NATHAN CLEVERLY sees victory on Saturday as the gateway to global fame and fortune – but admits he starts as the underdog.

The Welshman’s sixth WBO world light-heavyweight title defence is his most dangerous yet against unbeaten Russian Sergey Kovalev, who has knocked out 19 of his 22 opponents.

Some even make Kovalev, 30, the favourite but Cleverly has likened the fight to his former sparring partner Joe Calzaghe’s 2006 points win over American Jeff Lacy.

Beating Lacy catapulted Calzaghe into the big time and big money.

Unbeaten Cleverly, now 26, believes claiming US-based Kovalev’s scalp at Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena will earn him worldwide respect.
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[Ravens Fan]

I believe this fight may be Nathan's Jeff Lacy moment. The problem for him is he will most likely will be playing the part of Jeff Lacy

[skinnystev]

kovalev may be fighting out of the us but he is russian

[Citizen Koba]

It's possible Clev might get the points victory, (though I doubt it) specially with a little home cooking, but if he does that'll probably be the only thing in common with 'Zaggy - Lacy.

Lacy was ultimately exposed as a one trick pony who simply didn't have tools to cope with Joes speed and unique style. Kovalev is altogether a more complete fighter - in fact I believe his boxing skills are considerablly better than Clevs.

The areas where Clev might have an advantage are in speed and stamina, if he can manage to avoid the worst of Sergei's barrages through the early rounds, he may be able to exercise something more like his normal fight plan in the later rounds.

I don't see Clevs jab keeping Kovalev off him, and I think Clev eats too much leather trying to get inside which leaves Clevs best option as basically running for the first half of the fight, just darting in for pot-shots. If Kovalev doesn't tire, Clev will just have to take some risks, or risk losing a decision.

[Adamjr91]

The one major problem with Cleverly is his habit of blocking punches with his face. Up till now it has been ok because most of his opponents didn't have that one punch knockout power and Cleverly does have a good chin. HOWEVER, Kovalev is an all together different beast, with KO power in both hands.

The one chance Cleverly has in this fight is if he can take Kovalev into deep water, Kovalev has never been past 8 rounds. It is a big ask for Cleverly to weather the early storm Kovalev is going to bring though.

I like the fact that Cleverly knows he is the underdog even though he is also in fact the belt holder. You see many deluded belt holders come up against better fighters and think they should be the favorite. So hopefully knowing the mountain he has to climb in this fight will push him to train harder.

All being said, Kovalev KO2.

[Dirk Diggler UK]

Cleverly can win this with the right game plan. I think he knows he can't trade punches with this guy. All this talk of going for a KO seems like a bit of mind games. He boxed well behind his jab in his last fight, I think he can negate Kovalev if he backs him up behind the jab.

[lefthooklead]

I'm looking forward to this Saturday's boxing, and I think Cleverley could shock a few people on here...

Hopefully his chin is as good as it is claimed to be, otherwise it will be good night.

[Djanxx]

I think Cleverly is going to shock a few people that like to poke fun at him, come Saturday night.

[ShoulderRoll]

I believe this fight may be Nathan's Jeff Lacy moment. The problem for him is he will most likely will be playing the part of Jeff Lacy

I will be very surprised if Cleverly wins. Not expecting that to happen at all.

[Straightener]

Clev's gonna shock the world