The weigh in for The Homecoming of WBO world light-heavyweight champion Nathan Cleverly will be open to the public to attend for free on Friday at 2pm.

It takes place at the Motorpoint (former C.IA.) Arena in Cardiff. The address is: Mary Ann Street, Cardiff, CF10 2EQ.

Cleverly faces hungry American Tommy Karpency in the 3^rd defence of his world title. Also on the bill are some of the best prospects Britain and Wales has, this includes: Frankie Gavin, Liam Williams, Francis Luke Robinson, Lewis Rees, Craig Evans and Liam Smith.

Cleverly last boxed on home soil in 2007 when he beat Joey Vegas on points on the undercard of Joe Calzaghe’s super-middleweight unification win in front of 57,000 fans at the Millennium Stadium. Since then Cleverly has won Commonwealth, British, European and world titles fighting in a range of locations including Las Vegas, London, Liverpool, Birmingham, Widnes and Swindon.

Saturday’s show is promoted by Frank Warren Promotions and it will be broadcasted by BoxNation (Sky ch. 456, Virgin ch. 546). Following the show in Cardiff, BoxNation will broadcast the unbeaten Russian Alexander Povetkin as faces German hero Marco Huck at Stuttgart’s Porsche-Arena in Germany.

There are very few tickets left for Cleverly’s Homecoming. Tickets are priced at £40, £50, £75, £100, £125. These can be bought from a number of outlets which include:

Motorpoint Arena Box Office – 02920 224 488.

Cardiff City FC Ticket Office phone-line – 08453451400.

Cardiff City FC Online Ticket Office – www.CardiffCityFC.co.uk/page/TicketsHome

Frank Warren Promotions – www.FrankWarren.tv

Just a week away from his first with American Tommy Karpency, WBO world light-heavyweight champion Nathan Cleverly has said he can’t wait to bring back world championship boxing back to Wales.

World championship boxing has been absent from Wales since Joe Calzaghe’s superb super-middleweight unification fight with Mikkel Kessler in front of 55,000 fans at the Millennium Stadium in 2007.

The public and fight fans have responded brilliantly for Cleverly’s fight at the Motorpoint Arena on February 25^th and it’s not gone unnoticed.

“I think there’s a lot more hype around the fight, there’s more of a buzz and a lot of excitement because it’s a homecoming event.” said Cleverly.

“A lot of people are looking forward to the event and it’s been a long time since a world title fight has taken place in Wales – so for me to bring that back is a special personal feeling for me.”

Spearheading a resurgence of Welsh boxing at championship level isn’t something that fazes Cleverly either.

He said, “Maybe there’s an added pressure but ultimately I’m enjoying that a lot more, I’m quite enjoying the so called added pressure.”

“I’m just looking forward to fighting in front of my home fans and hopefully it’s going to be a special occasion for Welsh boxing and for myself returning home as world champion.”

Image courtesy of FrankWarren.TV

Everyone at Team Clev want to wish Nathan a happy 25^th birthday today!

Unfortunately we will be postponing celebrations until February 25^th after Nathan successfully defends his WBO world light-heavyweight title against American Tommy Karpency.

Talking to FrankWarren.tv, Cleverly said, “Going through the sacrifices makes it all worthwhile in the end when I’m the winner so I’m just concentrating on making sure that I win in style,”

“I’ve just turned 25 and I’m delighted the way that my career has gone since I turned pro when I was only an 18-year-old welterweight and now I’m a world champion at light-heavyweight.”

We’re sure that Nathan’s amazing supporters will join us to celebrate next Saturday when he headlines the Motorpoint Arena in front of 5,000 Welshmen and Clev is ready for his most important fight yet.

“The best years are still to come and I’ve not reached my peak yet, I’m really excited about the next few fights with the likes of Bernard Hopkins and Beibut Shumenov being talked about at Cardiff City’s ground so it’s crucial that I win next Saturday.” said Cleverly.

He continued, “I’d say this defence is more risky and dangerous than the Tony Bellew fight because Karpency can come in and cause an upset and then I’d be in left with nowhere to go.”

All of Team Clev also want to wish Derek Chisora the best of luck against Vitali Klitschko this weekend in his WBC world heavyweight title fight.

While WBO world light-heavyweight champion Nathan Cleverly has grabbed all the headlines as February 25^th draws nearer, there will be an undercard full with some of Britain and Wales’ best prospects eager to make their mark.

19-year-old Liam Williams from the Rhondda valleys continues to learn his trade in the professional ranks following a successful shut-out points win on his debut in November following a brilliant amateur career that included 6 British and 7 Welsh title wins. Nicknamed ‘Dull’, he’s trained by Vince Cleverly and Alan Davies and managed by Gary Lockett. Fighting in the middleweight division, Williams boasts power in both hands, superb timing and a strong mentality that he will need when he faces the unknown quantity of Italy’s Federico Tavares.

England and Britain’s only ever world amateur champion Frankie Gavin will hope to put a frustrating 7 months behind him when he faces Scotland’s Kevin McIntyre in the welterweight division. 26-year-old Gavin will be targeting domestic titles in 2012. The southpaw is now based back in his native Birmingham where he thinks he’s best suited to add to his record of 11 wins with 8 knockouts and no losses.

Lightweight Francis Luke Robinson plans to continue making his own name in his 4^th professional fight under the tutelage of his father – former WBO world featherweight champion Steve Robinson. The 20-year-old from Cardiff had a short amateur career and he’s so far learned his trade amassing a record of 3-0 including wins against Britain’s most experienced journeymen Johnny Greaves and Sid Razak.

Former stand-out amateur Lewis Rees from Tonypandy in Rhondda embarks on his 3^rd professional fight when he faces fellow Welshman Tony Pace in the light-welterweight division. The 22-year-old is trained and managed by Gary Lockett and has so far scored 2 knockout wins from his first 2 fights which follows an amateur career that included multiple Four Nations and Welsh ABA title wins.

Blackwood’s Craig Evans faces another undefeated fighter in the form of Scotland’s Ronnie Clark in the lightweight division. 22-year-old Evans comes from a fighting family, he and his grandfather both won ABA titles in the amateurs in a career that included 72 wins from 84 fights. Lee Beard trains Evans in Manchester which has so far led to 5 wins from 5 fights, while opponent Clark has 3 wins from 3.

Liverpool’s Liam ‘Beefy’ Smith will want to continue 2012 as he finished 2011 which saw him win his last 3 fights by knockout under the training of Manchester’s Joe Gallagher. Smith has amassed a record of 8 wins, 4 knockouts and no losses and he comes from a fighting family; brothers Paul and Stephen have won British titles and younger brother Callum is chasing a place in the Olympics – all 3 have won Commonwealth Games amateur gold medals.

Training camp is close to coming to a finish and WBO world light-heavyweight champion Nathan Cleverly has taken time to reflect on his preparation for The Homecoming at the Motorpoint Arena on February 25^th.

Cleverly opened with, “Preparation has been excellent and I’m very, very satisfied with the way it’s gone. Mentally I feel focused and just so excited to go now.”

“I feel as though this is one of the better camps that I’ve done, it’s the best I’ve been in terms of mental focus. I’ve had the right preparation and the right length of time to train for the fight, I was given good notice. It’s been a good camp and one of the best I’ve done.”

Predominantly training at the new facility of the Planet Fitness gym in Aberbargoed has provided Cleverly with a larger ring and it’ll be put to good use one last time before fight night.

“I’ll have another good hard spar, one more before the fight and then I think that will be the final hard session before the fight and before we start tapering it down.” he explained.

The opponent will be American southpaw Tommy Karpency whose stance presents an added element to adjust to but Cleverly’s confident of enforcing himself on Karpency.

He said, “As always, I’m focusing on more what I can do in the fight, what I can improve on and I’ve been learning some things myself.”

“Obviously I’ve had a little look at Karpency to get an idea of what he’s about – his stance, style, the way he fights but I’m more concentrating on my technique and taking that into the ring.”

Britain’s only undefeated world champion Nathan Cleverly believes that another talent is about to be unearthed in the form of the rising Rhondda middleweight prospect, Liam Williams.

Both are under the same trainers, Vince Cleverly and Alan Davies, at the Planet Fitness gym in Aberbargoed and Cleverly has seen enough of the 19-year-old to hold a high opinion of him.

He commented, “I think Liam can be very good, he is very good. I’ve trained with Liam a lot – he’s very physically strong and he’s got a good boxing brain.”

“He’s got a good boxing pedigree with his amateur career. I think he’s a very, very good prospect and I expect him to go on to title level, definitely.”

Williams enjoyed a very successful amateur career that included 6 British and 7 Welsh title wins at various age groups, Cleverly believes that Williams has the added touch of talent that will make him successful.

“His timing is really good and that’s what separates a lot of the good fighters from the average fighters.  The timing is that extra factor – the movement with the legs, the timing of the punches – Liam’s got it.” Cleverly said.

He continued, “He’s got power in both hands and he’s getting fitter now while adapting to the professional ranks. I think he’s got that bit of class that will take him through.”

After making a successful debut in the pro ranks with a shut-out decision win over Ryan Clark, Williams is next out in the undercard of Cleverly’s WBO world title defence against Tommy Karpency at the Motorpoint Arena on February 25^th.

The undercard also includes more of Britain and Wales’ next generation of champions. This includes; Lewis Rees, Craig Evans, Tobias Webb, Francis Luke Robinson and Birmingham’s Frankie Gavin.

WBO world light-heavyweight champion Nathan Cleverly says he was shocked by the response to the open day on Sunday with fans turning up in big numbers to watch a training session held at the Planet Fitness gym in Aberbargoed.

Cleverly said, “It was an excellent turn out, a great response. I was surprised when I turned up to the gym how many people were there and it just shows the great support I’ve got now. It means a lot and hopefully they enjoyed the day as well.”

Cleverly was supported by boxers Hari Miles, Liam Williams and Dai Davies who all showcased their skills in drills instructed by trainers Vince Cleverly, Alan Davies and Darren Wilson.

Many fans took the opportunity to get their memorabilia signed and photographs taken with Cleverly as he prepares for his homecoming fight against Tommy Karpency at the Motorpoint Arena on February 25th.

Cleverly continued, “It was a good chance for the general public to turn up and watch me go through my training along with the other fighters and they don’t usually get to see this side of boxing.”

“It was a great day, I enjoyed it! It was a little bit different, it was a chance for some of the young kids to meet me and the other fighters. Overall, it was an excellent day and we’ll probably do it again sometime.”

It was the first time that Team Clev hosted such an event and the response from the fans was brilliant. Thank-you for your amazing support, we look forward to seeing you all again at the fight!

Team Clev are excited to announce that the brilliant children’s charity Thrive Cardiff will be collecting in the foyer of the Motorpoint Arena on February 25^th at The Homecoming of WBO world light-heavyweight champion Nathan Cleverly.

Cleverly was unveiled as patron to Thrive Cardiff in December and Team Clev are proud and committed to supporting the admirable work the volunteers do for the children. Please give what you can, and thank-you!

Thrive Cardiff is a self-funded registered charity run entirely by parent volunteers of children with special needs. Thrive’s aim is to offer special children, their siblings and families a protective arena where they can play in an exclusive, non-judgemental and supportive environment without prejudice.

Earlier this year Vice-Chairperson, Sarah Murray, embarked on running 2012 miles in 2012 to raise funds for the charity. You can follow her progress on Twitter @SkyBlueCal.

Once again, thank-you!

Limited edition t-shirts are now available to mark Nathan Cleverly’s Homecoming to Wales!

Cleverly fights at home for the first time in 4 years when he headlines Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena on February 25^th in the 3^rd defence of his WBO world light-heavyweight title against America’s Tommy Karpency.

T-shirts are available for £15 each from CC Sports in Bargoed or by contacting Carl Jones (07976184158). Post and package is also available if required for an additional cost.

Merchandise will soon be available on the new ‘NathanCleverlyStore’ on eBay. Tickets can be bought there now.

CC Sports details:
Telephone number – 01443 837 555.
Address – 13-15 Hanbury Rd, Bargoed, Mid Glamorgan, CF81 8QS.
Email – sales@ccsports.co.uk

Wales’ only world champion boxer Nathan Cleverly believes he won’t be alone for much longer and he’s backed Barry’s Lee Selby to join him.

Selby burst on to the scene in 2011 when he became British and Commonwealth featherweight champion by knocking out the highly touted Stephen Smith and then domestic veteran John Simpson.

Cleverly commented, “He has the potential to come as far as I have and push on now. He’s very talented and there’s no reason why not, he’s got the boxing ability and skills. I definitely think he can follow in my footsteps.”

Both aged just 24, Cleverly and Selby have shared much of their amateur days together as Cleverly recalls, “We’re the same age and we came through the amateur scene together. We were always in the Welsh championships and he was a couple of weights below me. I’ve known he’s always had class and he’s showing that in the professional ranks now and he’s coming through very well.”

As part of a boxing boom at championship level for Wales during 2011, Selby’s success wasn’t predicted by many but Cleverly states he wasn’t surprised that his fellow Welshman shocked Britain.

“I’m not surprised by his success. He’s come from nowhere really and took his opportunity to win the British and Commonwealth title unexpectedly, but it wasn’t really a surprise to the people who knew him because he’s always had pedigree and I think he’s a very good fighter.”