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Cleverly - I'm Untouchable

Commonwealth champ out to gun down 'Capone'

Last updated: 8th December 2008

Cleverly: Confident he can stop 'Al Capone'

It's great news that I've got a dangerous opponent because when I fight with a bit of fear then it brings out the best in me. I know that Otieno is going to come out swinging, but I'll meet fire with fire.

Nathan Cleverly
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Commonwealth light-heavyweight champion Nathan Cleverly will be out to prove he is Untouchable when he takes on Douglas 'Al Capone' Otieno in Widnes on Friday.

Cleverly will be making the first defence of the title he won after defeating Tony Oakey over 12 rounds in October.

And although Otieno looks like he could live up to his nickname with an 18-1 record - eight of those wins coming by way of knockout - Cleverly is confident that there will only be one winner.

"I am a massive fan of the film The Untouchables," said Cleverly.

"Until now I've always had a bit of a soft spot for Al Capone because Robert De Niro is one of my favourite actors - but I'll be out to get him on Friday!

"It's great news that I've got a dangerous opponent because when I fight with a bit of fear then it brings out the best in me. I know that Otieno is going to come out swinging, but I'll meet fire with fire.

"On paper, Tony Oakey was my toughest fight as a professional, but I turned it into one of my easiest because I was so fired up.

"It was a great feeling to lift the Commonwealth title, and a real confidence boost to beat a man like Oakey who was a former British and world champion.

"But this is just the start. I'm only 21 and I've only had 13 fights, so I'm still learning all the time.

"I want to make a few defences of my Commonwealth title, and then next year challenge Dean Francis for the British title and then think about making an impact on the world scene."