Nathan Cleverly SHOCKS Boxing World with Next Title Defense – British Boxing News
Nathan Cleverly aims to be a big hit across the Atlantic when he takes on unbeaten Ryan Coyne, subject to WBO approval, next month in his American world championship title debut. The Welsh star will co-headline on a big triple world title card promoted by Golden Boy Promotions at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on November 10th. He hopes a top performance against Coyne will lead to unification fights against WBA king Beibut Shumenov and IBF title-holder Tavoris Cloud. Coyne, known as the Irish Outlaw, is undefeated in 21 fights and holds a number two ranking with the WBA and is at number ten with the WBC.
Cleverly isn’t worried about risking his unbeaten record and title away from home and is promising an exciting showing to win over his new audience. He said, “From what I’ve seen of Coyne he looks strong, comes forward and likes to have a fight. I’m not afraid to stand and trade either so it will be exciting for the fans when we exchange punches.”
“Coyne looks gutsy and will give it his all as he’s got a lot to lose on his home patch. It’s a high risk strategy to go over there and put my record and title on the line, but I want to make a big statement that I’m here and ready for the best,”
“America is the market every fighter wants to crack and this is a really exciting and challenging opportunity for me. Once I’m through this fight then I’m straight on the case for Shumenov, Cloud and Hopkins, they’re the guys I want next year.”
Promoter Frank Warren, who has previously taken his former stars Naseem Hamed, Ricky Hatton and Joe Calzaghe to America, added, “With Shumenov and Cloud reluctant to come over here and fight Nathan, we’ve taken the bull by the horns and Nathan is heading to America.
“Out of Shumenov, Cloud and Hopkins, he’s the youngest and freshest of the bunch and I believe that Nathan has the beating of all of them,”
“First he has to get through Coyne who by no means is an easy fight for him and will look to end Cleverly’s American dream.”
