Welsh boxing superstar Nathan Cleverly faces his toughest test so far as the reigning WBO light-heavyweight world champion when he lines up the unbeaten Russian Sergey Kovalev, exclusively live on BoxNation.
Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena will be packed out this Saturday night (August 17) as Cleverly fights in front of his home crowd for the first time since February 2012, when he defended his world title for the second time against Tommy Karpency of the United States.
The Welshman heads up the bill against the fearful striker Kovalev – while on the undercard, Cardiff’s Gary Buckland looks to win the Lonsdale belt outright with a third British Super-Featherweight title defence against Stephen Smith.
Cleverly has so far put five opponents to the sword during his two-and-a-half-year reign as the WBO’s number one and now he faces Ring Magazine’s third ranked light-heavyweight in a true elite level fight.
Kovalev, 30, recently dismantled the American hot prospect Cornelius White, putting him on the canvas three times en route to a 19th win by stoppage of his 22 fight career.
The Russian, based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, also has three-round TKO over former world champion Gabriel Campillo to his name which is why he’s become known to American audiences as the world’s most dangerous light-heavyweight.
Concerns had been voiced prior to the fight that the world’s leading light heavyweights were reluctant to face Cleverly.
But the Welshman and his promoter Frank Warren is confident that in Kovalev, Cleverly will be fighting someone capable of giving him a true test and even compared the match up to one of the most memorable in British boxing history between Joe Calzaghe and Jeff Lacy in 2006.
Warren believes it will be great fight: “This is a fantastic opportunity for Nathan against a very dangerous and massive puncher where he can really take his name to the next level.
“Kovalev is getting big praise in America and they are really excited by him so if Nathan beats him and does it spectacularly then his stock will rise ten-fold.
“Remember, Jeff Lacy was the next big thing until he came across Joe Calzaghe and I think in this case Kovalev is Nathan’s Lacy.
“It’s going to be an exciting fight and one that you can’t miss.”
Alongside the Cleverly v Kovalev showdown, there are two other top fights on the Cardiff undercard to look forward to.
Welsh star Gary Buckland, promoted by Ricky Hatton, will face Frank Warren-backed Scotsman Stephen “Swifty” Smith with his British Super-Featherweight crown on the line.
Buckland, 27, is eyeing what would be a third defence of the Lonsdale belt and knows that if he’s victorious the belt will be his for keeps, achieving the lifelong dream of many a fighter.
The Cardiff fighter, known as ‘Dynamo’, called up his first two defences in impressive style, with a near whitewash decision over Paul Truscott in March last year followed by a win on retirement against Stephen Foster last November.
Liverpudlian Smith, meanwhile, is looking to become a two weight British champion after enjoying a brief stint as the featherweight titlist in 2011 before being ousted by Lee Selby.
The 27-year-old has since added the WBO Intercontinental Super-Featherweight title to his collection, and will hope to add a second British title.
Enzo Maccarinelli was the victim of some some rough justice when he first met Ovill McKenzie after suffering a premature stoppage in the second round.
Now the Welsh legend is gunning for revenge against Derby’s McKenzie, with the Commonwealth title once again on the line.
With two minues and 15 seconds on the clock in the second round, and with the former cruiserweight world champion backed into the ropes but taking the punishment well, referee John-Lewis stunned the crowd by stopping the fight to hand McKenzie the win.
The referee later admitted he’d made a mistake, while it was clear that a rematch would have to take place.
The fight was previously lined up for earlier this year, but has now been made for August 17 on what promises to be a great night for boxing in Wales.
BoxNation will have full coverage of this highly anticipated fight night from Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena.
Steve Bunce introduces the action from ringside, with expert analysis and big commentary from John Rawling and Barry Jones.
For further information on other forthcoming live fights on BoxNation and details on how to subscribe – visit boxnation.com.
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Saturday 17th August
Red Mist: Nathan Cleverly v Sergey Kovalev
LIVE: 7.00pm-12.00am BoxNation
(free-to-view: 7.00pm to 8.00pm)
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