Cleverly worried that Braehmer will avoid him

Interim World Boxing Organization (WBO) World Light-Heavyweight Champion Nathan Cleverly has told rival and full title-holder Jurgen Braehmer not to do a “Sven Ottke” by avoiding to fight him.

Cleverly is referring to when German Ottke was IBF/WBA World Super-Middleweight Champion and he relentlessly ducked a unification showdown against WBO Champion Joe Calzaghe and retired without facing him.

The 23-year-old from Cefn Forrest in Wales, who trained and sparred hundreds of rounds alongside Calzaghe early in his career, is desperate for the same not to happen to him.

Frank Warren, Cleverly’s promoter, is currently in negotiations with Braehmer’s promoter Universum to finalise a fight between the two.

“It seems to be a theme that German champions are running scared from undefeated Welsh boxers!” said Cleverly.

“Joe chased Ottke for years and years and the fight never happened, if it was a marathon they were competing in Ottke would have won by a miles!”

“It was obvious that he didn’t want to fight Joe at all, I just hope that Braehmer isn’t cut from the same cloth as Ottke,”

“Braehmer’s the full champion and I’m the Interim and number one ranked challenger, he’s the best and I want to fight the best to be declared the real champion,”

“He’s a good strong fighter, but in my opinion limited. I’m destined to take over, I’m young, fresh and ready for the top,”

Braehmer’s comments in the latest edition of Boxing Monthly have fired Cleverly up.

He added, “I’ve read what he’s said about me talking too much but I’m prepared to back up all my talk in the ring against him,”

“I will give him the toughest and hardest fight of his life against and I know I can win.”

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FORTHCOMING EVENTS

SATURDAY 19th FEBRUARY
YORK HALL, BETHNAL GREEN
THE COMMONWEALTH LIGHT-HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Tony Bellew v Ovill McKenzie
The SOUTHERN AREA HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Larry Olubamiwo v John McDermott

SATURDAY 12th MARCH
BRAEHEAD ARENA, GLASGOW
THE WBO FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP OF THE WORLD
Ricky Burns v Joseph Laryea