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Nathan Cleverly Wants Hopkins in Wales
Gareth A Davies reports that WBO light heavyweight titleholder Nathan Cleverly is very serious about targeting divisional kingpin and boxing legend Bernard Hopkins for within the next year, and he wants to have the fight in Wales at Millennium Stadium:
"Joe Calzaghe fought Bernard Hopkins and I’ve looked up to Joe throughout my career. I sparred hundreds and hundreds of rounds with Joe and he beat Hopkins in the United States. I’d like to bring Hopkins to Wales and beat him there," said 24-year-old Cleverly.
Cleverly (22-0, 11 KO) beat late sub Aleksy Kuziemski on Saturday on the DeGale vs Groves undercard, but as sharp as he looked, didn't really impress. Cleverly has a bright future, but he's a long way off from being able to deal with someone like Hopkins. Kuziemsky, Antonio Brancalion, Nadjib Mohammedi and Karo Murat are not quite on B-Hop's level. It would be an enormous step up -- and Clev is also a long way off from being Joe Calzaghe, too. Calzaghe was one of the few in recent memory who had the mental game to deal with Bernard. Cleverly probably doesn't.
Pacquiao Confirms Marquez Trilogy, David Diaz Back in Marquez Picture
Although Manny Pacquiao has yet to put pen to paper and sign the deal, he told the Philippine Daily Inquirer that the fight is on for this November. Pacquiao still has to come to terms with Top Rank for the fight, but all of that is, again, just a formality at this point.
Ernesto Castellanos also reports that Marquez's July tune-up is still set, and that despite reports of money being a major issue, David Diaz is still the name being discussed.
Bad Left Hook Radio
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Fight Chatter
- Omar Chavez is back this weekend, main eventing in a 10-rounder on Fox Deportes (U.S.) and Azteca (Mexico). Chavez will fight Genaro Tranzancos (22-14-1, 13 KO). The 21-year-old Chavez is training with his brother Julio Cesar Jr at the Wild Card now.
- Former cruiserweight champion O'Neil Bell is back in action on June 4 against Richard Hall in Florida. Bell, now 36, hasn't fought since his lackluster 2008 loss to Tomasz Adamek. Treat this tentatively. Cedric Boswell will fight Kertson Manswell on the same card.
- Jo Jo Dan is looking to fight Joel Julio to earn the right to face WBC welterweight titlist Victor Ortiz. The current mandatory for Ortiz is Selcuk Aydin, but he's been waiting for that mandatory shot since winning it in July 2009.
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