Braehmer vs Cleverly: The Panel give their final predictions for the fight out in Germany
Froch, Nelson, Macklin, Moore, Oliver, Coldwell and Bellew
Saturday 1 October 2016 23:28, UK
Nathan Cleverly could be crowned world champion for the second time if he comes out on top against WBA light-heavyweight holder Juergen Braehmer, so as ever, The Panel have given us their final predictions. Age, timing and of course, the judging all crop up...
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Carl Froch
As far as his boxing goes, I think Braehmer can punch a bit, box a bit and he does most things well and is no mug. But he is a bit one-paced and tends to leap in, mostly with the jab and sometimes with the head, which Cleverly needs to be vigilant of.
But the German does lose his shape as he tires and I think that will be a big advantage for Cleverly, who is a very busy fighter. He needs to work hard and set the tempo to win the rounds and he will need to win them clearly. I am 100 per cent behind him and I do think Cleverly deserves to win but is likely to end up losing a majority decision. Read into that whatever you will...
Spencer Oliver
At this stage of Cleverly's career, this is a hard, hard ask. Maybe only hardcore fight fans know Braehmer well but he's only lost two out of 50 and to become the third, Cleverly has to have a phenomenal work-rate and I am not sure he has still got that in him.
He's got to take him out of his comfort zone and just keep pressing forward and I honestly think the old Cleverly would've beaten him - especially if it was over here. If he can wind back the years he can do it but that is a big 'if'. I am leaning towards Braehmer on points.
Matthew Macklin
Braehmer is a very good southpaw boxer-puncher, who is well-schooled and technically sound. He is 37 but Cleverly isn't the freshest 29-year-old and that last one against (Andrzej) Fonfara might have invigorated his career and rekindled his confidence but it was a really grueling fight and it might well have taken a lot out of him.
I think he needs to make it his fight, a busy fight at a high-tempo. Braehmer will look to take his time and pick his way through, try and keep him in his place with his backhand, so it really is an intriguing clash of styles. But if he can keep it fast and go at a high-tempo pace, Cleverly can outscore him comprehensively on points.
Jamie Moore
At Braehmer's age he is going to struggle boxing at pace and Nathan has always been doing that. He's got fast hands, a high work-rate and a great engine, so as long as he boxes to his best attributes, he's got a great chance.
I will go for Cleverly on points but I am very, very sceptical of him getting the result out there. Nathan will know the situation he's in and will be taking a massive risk trying to get a points win out there but I do think he's got the right mentality and right condition to make sure he comes out on top.
Johnny Nelson
Us fighters all have someone that sets the blue touch paper alight and I do think Braehmer is the one that does it to Cleverly. He seems to have the bit between his teeth. He is eight years younger so he has to go in their with pace, all sorts of angles, for at least two minutes of every round because the one thing you can't dodge is time and that will catch up on Braehmer.
Nathan can win but he has to produce something that makes it hard for him to feel robbed when the scores are read out. He has the skill and ability to beat Braehmer that's for sure. I can see Cleverly coming back in a tough, tough fight but nicking it on points - even out in Germany.
Dave Coldwell
Cleverly's got a great chance if he's firing on all cylinders. If the Cleverly that fought Fonfara brings a little head movement and defence, then I give him a great chance. If he just plods forward, then Braehmer's sharp punch-picking will have an effect on him.
I think Braehmer's there to be beaten and if Cleverly can put his 'smarts' together, I think he'll be a world champion. He could outwork Braehmer and win on points but I actually think it'll be a late stoppage win for Cleverly.
Tony Bellew
I do hope he beats Braehmer because I believe if he'd have fought him when he should've fought him all those years ago, he would've beaten him. I am just not sure about the miles on the clock and how much desire he's got left in him. Only Cleverly will know himself.
Depending on how much he wants it, he can definitely out-work him but I see this one going a bit like the Paul Smith-Arthur Abraham fight; a really close one but one Cleverly will just lose. It'll be one of those where you are sitting there thinking it could go either way but you expect the home fighter to get it.
