By Scott Gilfoid: Slugger Edison Miranda (35-6, 30 KO’s) says he’s willing to step in and face WBO light heavyweight champion Nathan Cleverly (23-0, 11 KO’s) for his next title defense on February 25th in Wales. Cleverly, 24, was rumored to be facing Andrzej Fonfara, but it looks as if they’ve had a change of mind about using him and are going in a different direction.

Miranda, 30, knocked off #7 ranked World Boxing Organization contender Kariz Kariuki last Saturday night in a 5th round TKO. That was a big win for Miranda, as he had lost two out of his last three fights going into that bout and it looked bad for him. However, after struggling with Kariuki’s impressive boxing skills for the first four rounds, Miranda cornered him and knocked him flat with a left hook to the head.

Kariuki got back to his feet and Miranda quickly finished him off with a series of power shots finishing with a big right to the head.

Cleverly, the last of the British world champions, needs a quality opponent and given that he’s yet to face a real threat, he might as well take on Miranda. Normally, I wouldn’t recommend a fighter like Miranda because he’s looked so terrible in fights against Lucian Bute, Arthur Abraham and Andre Ward in the past three years, but Cleverly has been fighting guys like #13 ranked Tony Bellew.

I don’t think much of Miranda but I do think he’s a lot better than Bellew, and that guy almost beat Cleverly. So, I don’t like the idea of Miranda being the one that fights Cleverly next, but if he’s going to be matched up with another bottom feeder, then by all means I’d be more than happy to see Miranda get the shot against Cleverly.

I think Miranda, with his big power, would give Cleverly a lot of problems. Miranda can really punch and when he’s facing guys that don’t have crushing power or amazing boxing skills, then he does well. Cleverly is easy to hit and not a big puncher. We saw him get badly staggered by the weak punching Aleksy Kuziemski last May. I can see Miranda knocking Cleverly out if given the chance. Of course, Miranda probably won’t get the chance because of how dangerous he is, but I think he’d be a lot better choice than what we’ll likely see picked out for Cleverly.