Nathan Cleverly to defend title in LA (From South Wales Argus)

Nathan Cleverly to defend title in LA

1:56pm Saturday 6th October 2012 in Sport

CEFN Fforest boxing star Nathan Cleverly has moved his next world title defence to Los Angeles on  November 10.

The 25-year-old WBO light-heavyweight champion was set to fight Ukrainian Vyacheslav Uzelkov in Cardiff on October 27.

But that fight has now been shelved and Cleverly will instead fight an as yet unnamed opponent on a card alongside WBC super-bantamweight champion Abner Mares and IBF bantamweight champion Leo Santa Cruz.

"It's a dream come true to defend my world title in America," Cleverly said.

"On such a big show it takes my career to a whole new level, it's a golden opportunity to make a big statement that I'm the leading man in the light-heavyweight division.

"It will be exciting and challenging to get the recognition of the American fans and media and prove to them that I'm the real thing.

"Of course, I love fighting and headlining in front of my Cardiff home fans, but this shows that I'm not scared to leave my home comforts and risk my title by putting it on the line in another country, that's what being a world champion is all about, I relish the challenge.

"It's a big test in my career, but I'm ready and won't be overawed. I think that this will give my performance a sharper edge because I'm not at home and the pressure to perform will be on me.

"We've been trying hard to get Shumenov and Cloud to come over here and fight me but they've been reluctant to make the trip, so if they won't come to me I'll go over there and fight them," Cleverly added.

"I'll go to their own territory and embarrass them into facing me."

American great Bernard Hopkins and IBF super-middleweight champion Carl Froch - who would have to face Cleverly at a catch-weight - have also been approached as potential opponents.

The two chief-supporting title fights that had been scheduled for the Cardiff card, Junior Witter v Frankie Gavin for the British welterweight championship and Ovill McKenzie v Enzo Maccarinelli for the Commonwealth light-heavyweight championship have been rearranged.

Witter v Gavin will now headline a promotion at the York Hall Bethnal Green on November 1, while McKenzie v Maccarinelli has been added to the Queensberry Promotions show on November 9 at the Liverpool Olympia.

Promoter Frank Warren said: "I'm delighted that Nathan has got the opportunity to showcase his talent in America at this stage of his career. He's eager to show the American fans what he's made of and a win will set up big unification fights next year."