Nathan Cleverly Returns Home to Cardiff on February 25, No Opponent Named

by Scott Christ on Dec 14, 2011 10:03 AM EST in Boxing News Analysis

Nathan Cleverly returns to the ring on February 25 in Cardiff. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

Like Frank Warren stablemate Ricky Burns, WBO light heavyweight titleholder Nathan Cleverly will be headed home for his next fight, which will take place on February 25 at Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff, Wales.

No opponent has been named.

[ Related: Burns Back on March 10 in Glasgow ]

"It will be over four years since I had my last fight in Cardiff and I can’t wait to return as a world champion and defend my title for the first time in front of my home fans," said Cleverly in a Frank Warren Promotions release.

"I’ve fought all over England with fantastic support in arenas in Birmingham, London, Liverpool and also out in Las Vegas, but I can’t wait to hear the roar of the Welsh crowd when I enter the ring."

"I watched Joe [Calzaghe] in many great fight nights at the arena, now called the Motorpoint, against the likes of Charles Brewer, Byron Mitchell and Mario Veit and the atmosphere was electric in there and I aim to generate the same kind of excitement."

"My reputation has been building with each fight and when I beat Tony Bellew it was the crowning moment for me and I believe that the time is perfect to return to Wales."

Cleverly has been questioned about a potential fight with Enzo Maccarinelli, who has dropped down to light heavyweight, but said last month that it wasn't really on his radar.

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Comments

This too has "shit opponent" written all over it

You know that is the case when it is "home fighter V TBA

by Sweet science on Dec 14, 2011 10:53 AM EST reply actions

Yepp, the ‘Frank Warren Special’.

Nobody will read this and care and why should they?

by Eoin_not_ian on Dec 14, 2011 11:42 AM EST up reply actions

It's not like he's really faced anyone world class

Maybe Murat, who I thought Campillo beat twice, but he’s pretty borderline even.

Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."

by Brickhaus on Dec 14, 2011 12:05 PM EST up reply actions

You trying to tell me Bellow isn't world class? :)

by Sweet science on Dec 14, 2011 4:16 PM EST up reply actions

whos the highest ranked Ghanaian?

by Shitali Klitschko on Dec 16, 2011 6:36 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

BBC reported yesterday that he was supposed to be fighting Andrzej Fonfara, that’s about the level of oppenent I’d expect. Which is a shame because if Warren couldn’t get Shumenov he should have got Cleverly’s mandatory Sukhotsky out of the way.

by Bajingo on Dec 14, 2011 11:02 AM EST reply actions

I don’t think it’s a case of not being able to get Shumenov, but more of a case of neither side being particularly interested in that fight.

Sukhotsky would make sense here, but if Frank can pull a mediocre fight in Cardiff out and stick Cleverly-Sukhotsky on one of his other cards, he gets two easy fights for Cleverly. Promoting!

Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."

by Scott Christ on Dec 14, 2011 6:40 PM EST up reply actions

I live very close to Cardiff, and can definitely say that there is more than enough support for Cleverly here for this show to sell regardless of the opponent (even in this economy).

by Skeletor1982 on Dec 15, 2011 3:56 AM EST via iPhone app up reply actions