GWENT world champion Nathan Cleverly will go to Hollywood today, but not for the sights of Tinseltown – instead he’ll be heading to Freddie Roach’s gym for unexpected sparring.

The Cefn Fforest boxer has been forced to lace up the gloves four days before his big world title defence in Los Angeles because challenger Shawn Hawk is an orthodox boxer.

Original opponent Ryan Coyne is a southpaw and Cleverly is taking no chances, going to the Wild Card gym in West Holly-wood looking for orthodox sparring.

Cleverly’s dad and trainer Vince met Roach last week and he said they were welcome to use his legendary gym ahead of Saturday’s WBO world light-heavyweight title defence at the Staples Center.

Cleverly doesn’t usually spar this late but said: “It can be a bit awkward because the stance and the lead hand is in a different position. Instinctively, it does take you a little bit by surprise.

“So that’s something I am going to have to be wary of. I have had a lot of southpaw sparring.

“Now I will be looking for some orthodox sparring at somewhere like Freddie Roach’s Wild Card gym. I will need to get used to that before the fight.”

Besides the late opponent switch, Cleverly encountered visa problems and only arrived at his Los Angeles hotel late on Friday night.

He added: “The build-up hasn’t been great at all with the opponent being sorted late and my visa being delayed. It has not been ideal. But I have had no option but to get on with it because it is my first fight in nine months. There is no time to complain and dwell on things.

“I am just looking at showcasing myself.”

Hawk has 23 wins from 26 fights and terms were finally agreed late on Sunday, with Cleverly revealing the news after a training session on the roof at his Downtown LA hotel. South Dakota’s Hawk has knocked out 17 opponents, but Cleverly warned: “I will be aiming to look good and will definitely be trying to take him out.

“I will look at about three minutes of Hawk on You Tube.

“That is all I need to see what he’s all about.

“He has a good record with a high KO ratio. So he’s a big puncher and I won’t treat him lightly because I can’t get careless or reckless.

“He has a big opportunity by coming in late for a world title bid. He has nothing to lose.

“He is dangerous but I will be on my guard.”

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