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Click here to Watch Nathan Cleverly vs. Sergey Kovalev Live Stream HBO Boxing 2013
There are no Chad Dawsons, Jean Pascals, Adonis Stevensons or even Tavoris Clouds on his resume.
Instead, Cleverly's biggest wins have come over veteran Tony Bellew and most recently Robin Krasniqi in April. Because he hasn't fought fighters who are known stateside, he hasn't attained massive popularity outside of the United Kingdom.
Instead, Cleverly's biggest wins have come over veteran Tony Bellew and most recently Robin Krasniqi in April. Because he hasn't fought fighters who are known stateside, he hasn't attained massive popularity outside of the United Kingdom.
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He's had just one fight in the United States. He was impressive in stopping Shawn Hawk in the eighth round of their Nov. 2012 bout from the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Cleverly possesses the skill level to reach the next level of stardom, but he must up the ante in regards to his competition. He's still just 26 years old, but time is running short on referring to him as an up-and-coming fighter.
Taking on a fast-rising power puncher like Kovalev is a smart but dangerous move for Cleverly. While this bout will land him on HBO, it isn't going to bring the type of payday a fight with Hopkins would. Kovalev is a big-time puncher with an aggressive style, and he's receiving a solid push from HBO.
He'll present a significant challenge for the champion because of his explosiveness.
Cleverly's boxing prowess, length and athleticism gives him some advantages, but he doesn't bring the game-changing power that the challenger does. Though Cleverly is younger, he is far more experienced in terms of total fights, total rounds and situations.
Boxing is all about opportunities. On Saturday, WBO light heavyweight champion Nathan Cleverly (26-0, 12 KO) and Sergey Kovalev (21-0-1, 19 KO) will both make their HBO debut in a major clash in the 175-pound division.
Fighting in front of a national audience on HBO in Cardiff, Wales is the grandest stage either has performed on. Despite the fight being shown via tape delay prior to the Daniel Geale-Darren Barker main event, the winner of Cleverly-Kovalev could establish himself as a star.
This is an intriguing and important matchup with major implications on the future of the light heavyweight division.
Having already defended his title five times, Cleverly is not new to the world title scene. His list of opponents don't read like a who's-who of the top light heavyweights in the world, though.
He'll need to use those skills and intangibles if he hopes to defeat Kovalev.
Cleverly's solid jab and footwork will be the key early. If he can get Kovalev frustrated, he may be able to open his opponent up for counter power shots that score.
The burning question on the Cleverly side is: Can the champion make the challenger respect his power? If he can't, keeping him at bay becomes all the more difficult.
This afternoon starting at 2:00 pm EDT on BoxNation, Frank Warren's big bill from Cardiff, Wales, will go live, and Bad Left Hook will be here for live updates and results. HBO will air the show's main event on tape delay tonight at 9:45 pm EDT.
In the main event, Nathan Cleverly will face Sergey Kovalev with Cleverly's WBO light heavyweight title at stake. Both fighters are unbeaten and looking to take a step into elite status in the 175-pound division. Cleverly will have home field advantage, but Kovalev is a true danger on paper, as he has shown major league power in his recent fights broadcast on the NBC Sports Network, building some buzz.
On the undercard, we'll see two domestic title fights. Gary Buckland will defend the British super featherweight title against Stephen Smith, and Ovill McKenzie will take on Enzo Maccarinelli in a rematch of a controversial fight from last November. McKenzie's Commonwealth light heavyweight title will be on the line.
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