GWENT’S WBO world light-heavyweight champion Nathan Cleverly passed on some words of wisdom to cricket legend turn-ed boxer Freddie Flintoff.

Unbeaten Cleverly, who heads to the US this week to fight on Saturday, November 10, at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles, met new pro Flintoff at the Peacock Gym in London.

The former England cricket captain was putting in valuable rounds of sparring ahead of his professional debut on Friday, November 30, at the MEN Arena.

“Freddie was pretty chuffed to meet me and he said he’d seen me fight before which was nice,” Said Cleverly “I believe that boxing is the hardest sport out there and for anyone to step through the ropes proves they’ve got the fire for a fight, “Freddie’s had a few battles on the cricket pitch but when it’s one-on-one in a boxing ring, that’s when you’ve got to really stand and prove your character.

“I think that Freddie’s made of the tough stuff, he was a beast on the pitch having the Aussies on the run, so he’s got to take that same fire and desire he showed when England won the Ashes in 2005 into the ring with him. I said to Freddie that it’s going to be the hardest thing he has done, but the buzz from winning and with the crowd cheering will be well worth it.”

COYNE 'IS OUT'

IT would seem Cleverly will not be fighting Ryan Coyne on November 10 as expected as the American, who is in a dispute with former agent Don King, has declared that the legal action has put paid to the bout.

He is reported by the BBC as saying: “Much as I hate to say it, this fight will not be going forward with myself involved in it.

“This is the biggest disappointment of my career.

“I trained very, very diligently for this fight and I was devastated when I got the news. Hopefully we can get it on at a later date.”

Any replacement would have to be among the WBO’s top 15 contenders for Cleverly’s world title to be on the line.

  • The Cleverly and Flintoff fights will be shown live on BoxNation (Sky Channel 437/Virgin Channel 546).