Johnny Nelson - Sky Sports Expert

Cleverly does it

Nathan has the energy, but does he have the nous?

Posted: 09th October 2008 16:39

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Nathan Cleverly

Cleverly: prospect

If Cleverly blasts through him early and makes it look simple, then maybe he can go all the way and have a say on the world stage.

Johnny Nelson
Quotes of the week

FRIDAY FIGHT NIGHT
Nathan Cleverly v Tony Oakey
C'wealth Light-Heavyweight title
Plus
Ricky Hatton training exclusive!
10pm, Friday, Sky Sports 2

This is the classic battle of wisdom against youth that we get so often.

Nathan Cleverly is the youngster, the one with the energy and the enthusiasm, but does he have the wherewithal and know-how to deal with a wily old customer like Tony Oakey?

How he deals with someone with that wisdom will tell us a lot about how far Cleverly is going to go.

He is clearly a prospect, but it is a bit too early to judge whether or not he has that star quality, that extra edge that will set him apart from the rest of the light-heavyweight division.

I do think he will be too much of a handful for the man from Portsmouth, at this stage this is a great test for him.

If Cleverly blasts through him early and makes it look simple, then maybe he can go all the way and have a say on the world stage.

Awkward

But if he can't get to grips to with the experience that Oakey will bring to the ring, then maybe European and British level is as far as he's going to go.

And Oakey has to make life awkward for the 21-year-old. He needs to try every trick in the book, do things on the blindside of the referee, perhaps shoot in the odd low blow.

If he can get Cleverly complaining, not let him build up any rhythm and take him out of his stride, he will have a chance.

And it is his last chance - and one he won't want to waste.

He has been through plenty in and out of the ring and after losing his British title to Dean Francis in June, he knows there won't be many more opportunities.

At this stage he will be in shape and up for every fight and could make life difficult for the youngster, but I am still expecting Cleverly to pass a stiff test - possibly with a late stoppage.

Comments

Ricky Wood says...

In boxing sometimes its not the punch power that wins u fights but the ability not to get hit and a strong chin. So if i was Nathan Cleverly i would ignore the doubters and just keep beating the fighters they put in front of him.Remember Aamir Khan had a great punch and look what happened to him.

Posted 17:00 21st October 2008

Louis Hylands says...

he was lucky to beat oakey...hopefully tony will be able to come back from this and have another crack at a belt.

Posted 14:39 11th October 2008

Rachel Hawes says...

I've seen this guy in some of his victories - and I must say; I'm not impressed. He has NO power whatsoever - he'd have difficulty knocking out some of his opponents with a hammer. He has good handspeed but his punches look weak (though snappy). I am certain he won't go anywhere on the world stage - it remains to be seen if he can conquer the British fight scene yet. He's just not good enough I'm afraid.

Posted 00:14 10th October 2008

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