By Gari Jones: It’s an exciting time for Nathan Cleverly (W23, L0, D0, KO11) in what was arguably his best performance against Tony Bellew (W16, L1, D0, KO10) last October, Cleverly looked to be in great shape.

Nathan traded blows, dug in deep and showed heart to someone (Tony Bellew) who was equal to Nathan and well up for the fight. Many fans of boxing who know of Cleverly, now think he’s ready to go one step further and start to challenge the top contenders.

After the World Boxing Council (WBC) reviewed the Hopkins v Dawson fight, Bernard Hopkins was given back the WBC Light Heavyweight Title (due to a technical draw). The decision granted Cleverly a great opportunity, to challenge Hopkins in the USA in a unification bout that is bound to draw major interest, due to Hopkins popularity and familiarity amongst the US people.

It makes perfect business sense for Cleverly to go to the USA, it is the place where boxers go to make a name for themselves. Nathan Cleverly is more than ready for a mega fight with Bernard Hopkins (W52, L6, D2, KO32) and he does need to spread his wings a bit. He’s only ever fought once outside of the UK that was back in April 2008 against Antonio Baker.

Nathan has made his intentions clear in the past, he wants to face the best the Light Heavyweight division has to offer and Hopkins is one of those people. Cleverly In a post fight interview with Bellew (on the BOXNATION SKY CHANNEL) stated he would like to challenge the winner of the Hopkins v Dawson fight and given what’s transpired with Hopkins and the WBC’s decision, I see no reason why this fight can’t be made.

If this fight was made and Cleverly was to win, then I believe this would be the fight that ascends Nathan to great heights, Dawson, Tavoris Cloud and Beibut Shumenov would all be waiting in line for him.

This fight makes sense, as I see no other fight right now that Cleverly would really be interested in, he’s got to for someone like Hopkins as the time has come for him to make a statement of intent, that he wants to rule this division and unify the belts.

Whilst I know Hopkins wouldn’t be an easy fight I think Nathan can take him.
Hopkins has great skills and still has what it takes to stay at the top, but Nathan Has the better speed, agility and strength as well youth on his side, I also believe that Nathan is nowhere near his peak yet and whatever level Hopkins is at now it’s nowhere near where he was 5-10 years ago. Nathan is only going to improve, given the fact he is still only twenty four (24) years of age and looks better with each passing fight.

Hopkins is ready to be taken and Nathan is that someone who is ready to do it. Bear in mind whilst his KO record is not that spectacular, eight (8) of those last eleven (11) KO’s have come from his last ten (10) fights, and that is a statement to his ever improving skills. I only hope that both parties realise what I and many others already know, and that is to make this fight happen. Fight Prediction Cleverly – Points – Majority Decision.