Cleverly gets maths degree
Nathan Cleverly expects his boxing career to really take off after completing his maths degree.
Cleverly challenges Karo Murat for the interim WBO light-heavyweight title in Birmingham on September 18 in a contest that may yet be for the full title.
Should holder Juergen Braehmer fail in his appeal against a 16-month prison sentence for assault and insulting behaviour, Cleverly and Murat will settle who replaces him as champion.
In just 19 fights the unbeaten Cleverly has won the British, Commonwealth and European titles - all while studying maths at Cardiff University.
The 23-year-old from Caerphilly will graduate later this month with a 2:2 degree, enabling him to dedicate all of his attention to boxing.
"This has been a really busy time for me," he said.
"Straight after my European title success in February I was straight into the books to get ready for my exams. It's a bit frustrating because I wanted to leave the books and concentrate on going for a world title. But the work's done now, the degree is behind me so it's onwards and upwards for my boxing career.
"For the first time in my life I can concentrate solely on boxing. You've seen what I could do when I was a student - now that the degree is behind me you'll see a 50% improvement."
Cleverly features on Frank Warren's 'The Magnificent Seven' bill, which is to be staged at the LG Arena. The event features a host of title fights with Ryan Rhodes, Kell Brook, Michael Jennings, James DeGale, Enzo Maccarinelli and Derek Chisora among those in action.
"This is my 30th year as a licensed boxing promoter and of all the cards I've put together, this is one of the most competitive. Every fight is evenly matched and there is some of the best matched talent in the country involved," said Warren
Date published :
02 Jul 2010 - 15:34:07
