Thread: Nathan Cleverly v Juergen Braehmer

Nathan Cleverly: Juergen Braehmer WBA title bout 'must-win' for Welshman

Welsh former world champion Nathan Cleverly believes his world title fight against Juergen Braehmer can be a turning point in his career.

Cleverly, 29, will face Braehmer for the WBA regular light-heavyweight belt in Germany on 1 October.

The Welshman's three career defeats have all come in his last six bouts.

"This is a must-win for me - I'm confident I can upset the champion," said Cleverly. "I believe this is my opportunity to turn things around."

Cleverly and Braehmer were due to meet in 2011 before an eye injury forced Braehmer to withdraw.

The German will be aiming for a seventh successful defence of his title, while Cleverly lost his WBO crown in 2013 when he was stopped by Sergey Kovalev.

Asked if this would be his last world title fight if he lost to Braehmer, Cleverly told BBC Radio Wales Sport: "Possibly so and probably so.

"I knew the world title opportunity would come back around.

Nathan Cleverly: Juergen Braehmer WBA title bout 'must-win' for Welshman - BBC Sport

3 years ago since Kov stopped him? I loved that fight, I won a fair few quid off that one, I don't think many people knew Kovalev in England at that time did they.

Originally Posted by Batman

3 years ago since Kov stopped him? I loved that fight, I won a fair few quid off that one, I don't think many people knew Kovalev in England at that time did they.

You could argue it ruined Cleverly as he has not looked the same since.

Kov is a beast.

Clev hasn't looked the same, he was shit against bellew but looked good against fonfar what ever his name is


clev was unlucky with the broken nose


I reckon Braehmer is one of the weakest champs though don't you?


I reckon if clev is gonna win another world title he'll never get a better chance


although hell probly be bummed on the cards

Originally Posted by erics44

Clev hasn't looked the same, he was shit against bellew but looked good against fonfar what ever his name is


clev was unlucky with the broken nose


I reckon Braehmer is one of the weakest champs though don't you?


I reckon if clev is gonna win another world title he'll never get a better chance


although hell probly be bummed on the cards

Yes this is a chance to get back a title otherwise he will end up as a gatekeeper which is what he maybe was anyway.

I thought Clev was fantastic against Fonfara, but whether he has it in him to beat a World Champion again, I'm not so sure.
I hope I'm wrong though, because I would love to see Clev back to his best and getting his career back on track.

I like Cleverly, but he has had a difficult run of things. Hopefully he can turn it all around. He's a smart chap.

This is a good opportunity for Cleverly - I don't think he'll find a champion who is more vulnerable than Braehmer, and in 2011 I thought he was a great favourite for the win.
However, he's since gone on a tough run, including the Bellew fight, and if he does lose this one, I wouldn't be too surprised to see him to head to retirement, or maybe one or two fights later.
He does have a maths degree, which means he could easily find work doing something else for a good salary, unlike many boxers who have nowhere else to go. Anyway, I still think he has a good chance, and hope he can finally get Braehmer off this streak of rubbish title defences.

Egg on my face of late with Cleverly a stupid fight at Cruiser with Bellend.
Have I lost faith yep I have he fights stupid when he could just box and WIN .
Anyhow I hope he wins but in Germany I won't hold my breath.

Originally Posted by Dia bando

Egg on my face of late with Cleverly a stupid fight at Cruiser with Bellend.
Have I lost faith yep I have he fights stupid when he could just box and WIN .
Anyhow I hope he wins but in Germany I won't hold my breath.

Exactly, he's a smart kid, and he's smart enough to know that outboxing the opposition plays to his strengths. Hopefully, he stays on plan.

Cleverly has a good chance here, could be a nice double to be had with Frampton the under dog also. Last chance saloon for Cleverly in his last fight he got his balls back bit down and did well, if he can repeat that it could be enough.