NATHAN Cleverly greatly enhanced his career prospects but lost the war to Andrzej Fonfara in Chicago.

Cleverly suffered a third career defeat, a broken nose and punishment in a wild 12-round brawl; screened live on primetime US television.

Fonfara (28-3) took the decision on the judges’ cards 116-112, 116-112 and 115-113.

The fight broke records for punches thrown in a light heavyweight contest and was fought constantly on the front foot and at frenetic pace.

Fonfara threw 1414 punches, with Cleverly, a graduate of the Calzaghe camp and the “punches in bunches,” philosophy, threw a Nelson, 1,111.

Cleverly edged the early rounds and seemed to have the beating of Fonfara in terms of speed and accuracy, but it became evident Fonfara was exhibiting the heavier hands, and gloves.

The two constantly traded on the inside but Fonfara had the knack of edging the final few seconds of most sessions, perhaps stealing some of the closer rounds as the home town fighter.

The action swung decisively to the US-based Polish boxer in the seventh when Cleverly suffered what looked certain to be a broken nose. The ringside doctor checked him over several times, Cleverly also suffered grotesque swelling and a tear to his left ear.

However, Cleverly, who lost his WBO world title to the heavy hands of Sergey Kovalev and his cruiserweight ambitions to domestic rival Tony Bellew, simply wouldn’t go away.

He dug deep, showing incredible courage in the championship rounds, keeping Fonfara on his toes and landing some telling combinations. However, he could do nothing to stop Fonfara landing his right uppercut with monotonous regularity.

Fonfara had the reserves to shade the final round which all but sealed Cleverly’s fate, but he will have no reason to despair.

His reputation, on both sides of the Atlantic, will have been enhanced and there will be no more accusations thrown about Cleverly seeking easy fights, or lacking heart.

A long-time in the making shot at Juergen Braehmer could be possible as a next step, as could a rematch with Fonfara on British, and preferably Welsh soil.

But Cleverly at 28-years old has shown he’s still got the credentials for a top level career.

Even in defeat, he’s silenced the doubters.