BBC Sportboxing

Related BBC sites

Page last updated at 13:42 GMT, Thursday, 9 December 2010

Nathan Cleverly inspired by Miss GB finalist girlfriend

The Return of the Magnificent Seven
Venue: Liverpool Echo Arena Date: Saturday 11 December Coverage: Live on Sky Box Office from 2000 GMT and BBC Radio 5 live and the BBC Sport website from 2100


Rebecca Cole and Nathan Cleverly
Cleverly and his girlfriend Rebecca Cole have both been in the spotlight

Nathan Cleverly is ready to take centre stage from his girlfriend and move closer to his world dominance dream.

The Welsh boxer was alongside Rebecca Danielle Cole in Weston-super-Mare last Saturday as his 26-year-old partner was a finalist in Miss Great Britain.

Now European light heavyweight champion Cleverly will take the spotlight from Rebecca to fight Nadjib Mohammedi.

"It was so nerve-wracking for me last week but the boot is on the other foot this Saturday," said Cleverly.

Unfortunately for Cleverly, Miss Swindon failed to floor the judges as Liverpool's Amy Carrier won the Miss GB crown.

And Rebecca will be the one gripped by nerves ringside in Liverpool when her unbeaten boxing boyfriend takes on the Frenchman for the interim WBO light heavyweight title.

The 23-year-old is favourite and hopes that Saturday's showdown merely provides a springboard for a clash with WBO champion Juergen Braehmer and future unification fights.

Cleverly, however, could still be crowned WBO champion if he wins at the Echo Arena without throwing another punch should Braehmer fail in his appeal against a 16-month prison sentence for assault and insulting behaviour.

Or if the German refuses to meet number one challenger Cleverly early in 2011.

There is a danger on Saturday as out of Lakatos' 31 wins he had 23 knock-outs so potentially he is a real dangerman if he connects cleanly with a shot

European light heavyweight champion Nathan Cleverly

And the Cefn Fforest fighter will take inspiration from his "better half" when he steps into the ring with the former WBO light heavyweight title challenger.

"The spotlight was on Rebecca last weekend and she did brilliantly," Cleverly said.

"It was a great experience for both her and me.

"It was a bit different to what it will be this Saturday but I really enjoyed the break in my training - it took my mind off things.

"I was so proud of her now I hope to do her proud against on Saturday."

Cleverly insists he is "100% fit and healthy" going into what he calls "the biggest fight of his career" when he puts his unblemished 20-fight pro record on the line.

But he did admit the big freeze and icy roads in the south Wales valleys did slightly hamper his big-fight preparation.

"Training has gone fairly well," said Cleverly.

"It was a little bit disturbed by the snow as my road running was a affected by the icy roads and poor conditions - but I'm a fighter and I have to get through it."



see also
Cleverly edges to points victory
11 Dec 10 |  Boxing
Warren comes out punching
08 Dec 10 |  Boxing
Lakatos vows to 'punish' Cleverly
30 Nov 10 |  Boxing
Cleverly world title shot delayed
14 Oct 10 |  Boxing
Braehmer queries Cleverly's punch
23 Sep 10 |  Boxing
Warren wants Cleverly 'world' bid
20 Sep 10 |  Boxing
Impressive Cleverly defeats Murat
18 Sep 10 |  Boxing
Cleverly targets 'top man' Pascal
17 Aug 10 |  Boxing
Is Cleverly the new Calzaghe?
22 Jul 09 |  Boxing
Nathan Cleverly in photos
08 Apr 10 |  Boxing
Wales' boxing world champions
25 Mar 08 |  Boxing
Wales' pugilist princes
15 May 09 |  Boxing
BBC Sport Wales coverage
03 Oct 11 |  Wales


related bbc links:

related internet links:
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites