WBO world light-heavyweight champion Nathan Cleverly has recently acquired the facilities of Aberbargoed’s Planet Fitness gym and he believes the move may make all the difference in him being the best that he can be.

He said, “Mentally it definitely helps because it’s definitely freshened me up. I look forward to training now, I’m working hard and I’m enjoying coming here. So mentally it’s a lift, it’s a big boost.”

“Physically, with the facilities we should see an improvement in my overall strength, conditioning and hopefully if I’m enjoying my training we should see an improvement in my boxing ability as well.”

Since leaving Enzo Calzaghe’s gym in Newbridge, Cleverly has been trained by father Vince and Alan Davies while being stationed at Church Place ABC above Bargoed Social Club. Cleverly still intends to use Church Place ABC but he believes he’s now added the missing ingredient to take his performances to a different level.

Cleverly explained, “It’s a fantastic new gym. As you can see, we’ve got an 18ft ring so it’s a nice big ring for me to train in. Obviously for the last couple of years I’ve been training over in Bargoed above the Social Club which had a small ring. It was a small ring in general; there are not many facilities up there, very raw but it done the business.”

“The facilities here are excellent; big ring, new punch bags and there’s a lot of space around the punch bags, we’ve got kettle bells, the hammer and tire which is great for strength work, all the strength and condition facilities. I’m actually enjoying training in this new environment.”

It’s often said that staying at the top is harder than getting to the top and it’s hoped that this move should be another factor that ensures Cleverly’s reign is a long and successful one.