Cleverly says he does not want easy WBO title defences

European champion Nathan Cleverly says he wants to take the tough route and unify the light-heavyweight division.

The Cefn Fforest man, 23, faces Karo Murat for the WBO interim title in Birmingham's LG Arena on 18 September.

That could automatically turn into a full title if holder Jurgen Braehmer is stripped, but unbeaten Cleverly says he would avoid the route of easy defences.

"I could make a few WBO defences or go on to face the likes of Tavoris Cloud and Chad Dawson," said Cleverly.

"That's the route I think I want to take, to fight and beat the best.

"In the next couple of years I can really see myself being undisputed light-heavyweight world champion."

Cloud is the IBF champion while fellow American Dawson - who does not hold one of the four recognised world light-heavyweight belts - is generally accepted as the leading operator at 175lbs and holds the unofficial Ring Magazine crown.

Jean Pascal is WBC champion and Beibut Shumenov the WBA title holder, while if Braehmer fails in his appeal against a 16-month prison sentence for assault and insulting behaviour the winner of Cleverly and Murat will replace him as WBO king.

Murat is, like Cleverly, unbeaten, having won all 22 of his fights, 13 by knock-out.

It's a step up again but one I'm very, very confident of winning, I feel unstoppable at the moment Nathan Cleverly

The 26-year-old previously held the European super-middleweight title but stepped up a division to claim the fringe WBO intercontinental light-heavyweight title against Sergey Demchenko last August.

The German has since made two successful defences, stopping Guyana's Sean Corbin in two rounds and then winning a unanimous decision over American Tommy Karpency.

"These are exciting times," said Cleverly, who was won all 19 of his fights, including the last six by impressive knock-out.

"I just want to be world champion, whether in the next fight or the one afterwards.

"I'm on the fringe of world class. I've been slightly held back by my university degree, but that's behind me now.

"I know quote a lot about Murat, I've seen his style. He doesn't throw many but when he does he's quite explosive.

"It's a step up again but one I'm very, very confident of winning, I feel unstoppable at the moment."

I think Wales could have a three-weight world champion Vince Cleverly

If Cleverly's ambitions are high, those of his father and trainer, Vince, rise to even weightier targets.

"I think Nathan should stop [Murat] in the later rounds, he's on the verge of world class now, there's no doubt about it," he told BBC Sport Wales.

"I think you're going to see a lot more strength and confidence. He's been more dedicated than ever in training with the degree out of the way - I reckon there's at least 50% improvement to come.

"Chad Dawson's out there, there are massive fights for Nathan out there.

"He's only a young boy, he may step up to cruiserweight or even heavyweight in the future with the way he's putting on that weight and developing.

"I think he can carry the hand speed up with him. I think Wales could have a three-weight world champion."

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