Cleverly proves world title credentials
Nathan Cleverly seized the European light-heavyweight belt with a superb fifth-round stoppage win over Antonio Brancalion and catapulted himself into world title contention in the process.
Maths undergraduate Cleverly has spoken of his desire to celebrate his graduation this summer by fighting for global honours shortly after hanging up his satchel in May.
Already ranked by the WBO and WBC, this victory did his chances no harm whatsoever as he picked up the vacant European belt with a patient, virtuoso performance.
Cleverly came into the bout with a perfect 18-fight winning record including eight stoppages. The Cefn Forest man has noticeably matured physically recently, however, and in 2009 added the British title to the Commonwealth belt he already possessed as he embarked on a run of five successive stoppages.
Cleverly made a sprightly start, firing out rapid jabs and landing the right hand twice in the opening three minutes. He shipped a left hook himself - Brancalion's sole success at that point - but had bloodied the Italian's nose with sharp shots.
A left hook in the second was dealt with well by Brancalion but the Briton pushed on, going for the body in a bid to mix up the attack. Cleverly got away with a low punch late in the round and continued to hold the advantage heading into the third, which proved to be a scrappy affair until the final minute when the Welshman landed a solid right which Brancalion shook off well.
A straight right and powerful left wobbled Brancalion for the first time early in the fourth and moments later a single right was landed cleanly. Brancalion was solid but too pedestrian, his reflexes too slow to react to Cleverly's well-picked shots.
A right counter as the Italian opened up was landed sweetly before Cleverly floored his man, landing a looping right which sent Brancalion stumbling to the floor as the youngster fired off another shot.
The fifth continued in the same vein, two single right hands over the top a few seconds apart looking hurtful.
Sensing the end, Cleverly hurt his man with another left hook before two clubbing rights left Brancalion out on his feet, prompting referee Jean-Louis Legland to bring an end to the contest after one minute and 15 seconds of the fifth round.
Date published :
13 Feb 2010 - 23:18:03
