Karpency test for Clev

Nathan Cleverly will defend his WBO light-heavyweight title against American Tommy Karpency in Cardiff on February 25.

WBO champion pencils in early title defence

Nathan Cleverly will defend his WBO light-heavyweight title against American Tommy Karpency in Cardiff on February 25. It will be the Welshman's first fight in his home country for more than four years as he continues to build his reputation in the 175lb division. Karpency is tough and durable (21-2-1) but lost to Karo Murat in 2010, not long before Cleverly despatched the German in nine rounds. "This is my first fight in Cardiff for a long time and I'm looking forward to putting on a good show for my fans' against Karpency," he told a press conference on Tuesday. "My return has created a big interest in Wales and it's going to be a fantastic welcome home on 25th February at the Motorpoint Arena. "I've trained over Christmas and I'm in great shape already and we're still over seven weeks' away from the fight so I'll be spot on come fight night. "Karpency looks like a tough fighter and he took Murat the distance last year and Murat gave me a hard fight. "I've got big plans for this year that I hope will include a unification fight so I've got to keep busy and beat Karpency in style." WBA champion Beibut Shumenov is on Cleverly's radar, and although the American-based Kazakh declined this fight it is thought likely to take place later this year.