By William Mackay: Light heavyweight Nathan Cleverly (19-0, 9 KO’s) defeated Antonio Brancalion (32-8-2, 8 KO’s) in the 5th round tonight to capture the European light heavyweight title at the Wembley Arena, in London. Cleverly, 22, hurt Brancalion with a series of right hands in the 5th, causing the referee to step in and halt the fight with Brancalion still on his feet but badly hurt. In the 4th round, Clevely dropped Brancalion to the canvas enormous shots he was taking to both the head and body.

Brancalion showed that he had a heck of a chin as he without stood shots that would have knocked down a lesser chinned fighter. Cleverly hurt Brancalion with a big fight followed by a left hand early in the 4th round. He continued to land big shots through the remainder of the round. Later on in the ring, Cleverly connected with a perfect arcing right hand that knocked Brancalion to the canvas. He got up but was clearly hurt and continued fighting. In the 5th round, Cleverly teed off on Brancalion with rights and lefts, hurting him and causing referee Jean-Louis Legland to step in and stop the slaughter at 1:15 of the 5th round.

To some boxing fans, Cleverly is seen as the next Joe Calzaghe. However, that’s not really a fair comparison, because Cleverly’s style is entirely different from that of Calzaghe. Cleverly is slower, doesn’t throw as many punches and is a much bigger puncher than Calzaghe. Cleverly generally wins by stoppage and is a big body puncher, unlike Calzaghe who was more of a head hunter during his career.

The win will keep Cleverly moving up the light heavyweight ranks so that he can get a possible title shot in the near future against one of the champions. At this point, Cleverly would be a tough opponent for champions Jean Pascal or Tavoris Cloud.