:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/30737005/186966123.0.jpg)
According to a report in the South Wales Argus, Nathan Cleverly will be joining the Matchroom Boxing team, defecting from Frank Warren Promotions, which will be announced later today at a press conference to promote a May 17 card at Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff, headlined by Lee Selby and featuring a rematch between Gavin Rees and Gary Buckland.
Cleverly, 26, hasn't fought since last August, when he was physically dominated by Sergey Kovalev and stopped in four rounds, losing for the first time as a pro, and dropping the WBO light heavyweight title in the process. He had been tentatively slated for a return on Monte Carlo, but pulled out of that fight.
Recently, Cleverly (26-1, 12 KO) has stated his intention to move up to the cruiserweight division, but little more than talk has come of those claims, at least publicly.
A spokesman for Warren's company says that Cleverly remains under contract, but they have no further comment. It's likely that we'll see some sort of legal battle over the move, as we did when Ricky Burns left Warren for Matchroom.