By Scott Gilfoid: A unification bout between WBO light heavyweight champion Nathan Cleverly (23-0, 11 KO’s) and WBA World light heavyweight champion Beibut Shumenov (12-1, 8 KO’s) is reportedly in the early stages of negotiations for a fight that could possible take place in early 2012 if the two sides can agree on it.

Cleverly, 24, wants the fight to take place in his Wales, but the chances of that happening is nil. Shumenov, 28, likely won’t go for fighting in Cleverly’s home country and I don’t blame him one if he didn’t.

Why take the chance of ending up on the receiving end of a controversial decision. It’s much better to have the fight take place in a neutral venue like the United States. But let’s be real about the chances of this fight taking place; I don’t see this fight getting made anytime soon. Shumenov is a really good fighter and I think he would beat the trunks off of Cleverly without any problems.

“Beibut Shumenov, the WBA world champion, he’s in my sights,” Cleverly said to the BBC Sport. “So whether that’s going to be in Wales or in Las Vegas, where he’s based, we’re yet to find out but wherever the fight takes lace I’m really looking forward to that one.”

Shumenov beats Cleverly without too many problems. Shumenov has too much power for Cleverly, and he’d wipe him out with his high work rate. I was really impressed with Shumenov’s last three fights against Viacheslav Uzelkov, William Joppy and Danny Santiago. Shumenov showed a lot of improvement in those three fights in terms of his work rate and power. He’s a smart fighter with a lot of skills.

I can’t say I’ve impressed with what I’ve seen from Cleverly in his last four outings. He looked terrible against Karo Murat, Nadjib Mohammedi, Aleksy Kuziemski and Tony Bellew. Cleverly was staggered by Kuziemski, barely beat Mohammedi, and got what I consider a questionable decision against Bellew last time out in October.

I scored that fight a 12 round draw. Cleverly is just lacking in the defensive skills and power. He’s a good domestic level light heavyweight, but I see him as a bottom feeder on the world scene in the top 20 in the division. Chad Dawson, Bernard Hopkins, Jean Pascal, Shumenov, Tavoris Cloud, Zsolt Erdei, Jurgen Brahmer, Gabriel Campillo, Adrian Diaconu, David Kosteki would all beat Cleverly, and I can see others beating him as well. He’s too wide open on defense.

I still think Cleverly is a decent fighter and capable of beating some of the fodder that the WBO has ranked in the top 20. But overall, if you’re looking at the very best of the top 20, I don’t see Cleverly making that cut.

Look for the Cleverly-Shumenov fight not being made and Cleverly facing some little known guy from the bottom of the pack.