Boxing: Cleverly is wary of his French exam in Liverpool

by David Williams, South Wales Echo, Dec 11 2010

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sports/box ... -27805824/



LIGHT-HEAVYWEIGHT king Nathan Cleverly says he needs to be wary of Frenchman Nadjib Mohammedi at Liverpool’s Echo Arena tonight.

Mohammedi, who stepped in as a late replacement for Romanian Alejandro Lakatos, could be a threat to the Welshman when they meet for the interim WBO title.

Lakatos withdrew on Wednesday because of pneumonia, forcing promoter Frank Warren to bring in the 25-year-old European Union champion, who has lost just one of his 24 fights.

Cleverly reckons Mohammedi is “dangerous” and will look to make the most of the unexpected chance he has been given.

However much of a danger Mohammedi is the 23 year old from Cefn Fforest is still confident he can continue his surge towards world champion status.

The winner of tonight’s bout would be crowned as the full champion if Germany’s reigning number one Juergen Braehmer fails in his appeal against a 16-month prison sentence.

It is understood his case will be heard on Monday and if he is unsuccessful Braehmer would then have to relinquish his crown.

For Cleverly, the Frenchman will prove a tougher test than Spain-based Lakatos and he is aware of his ability in the ring.

“He could be dangerous because he’s got nothing to lose,” said the maths graduate.

“I have to make sure he doesn’t take advantage of the situation and be on the top of my game.

“I can’t afford to slip up having come so far in my career.

“I’ve seen a bit of him on the internet. He is quite an elusive and flashy boxer.

“He might make me think for a few rounds but after that I should be fine.

“It’s not an ideal situation but I’ve got to be professional enough to deal with it, do the business and win.

“It was a surprise withdrawal being so soon before the fight and I was a bit disappointed but this French guy is a better fighter than Lakatos.

“I was preparing for Lakatos but I’ve just got to get on with it and take this opportunity.

“It’s how boxing goes sometimes, you’ve just got to adapt to the situation.”

That view is echoed by trainer and dad Vince. The last time he saw his son lose was as an amateur six years ago and it’s something he doesn’t want to see repeated.

“Nathan is ready,” he said. “We can’t get him in any better shape than he is.

“He is confident but not complacent. Nathan always trains as if he is the challenger, not the champion.

“In a way it’s just like any other fight for Nathan. He is used to title fights now so this one is the icing on the cake.

“Mohammedi could be dangerous but it’s nothing Nathan can’t handle.

“I know a bit about him because a few months back he was the mandatory challenger for Nathan’s European belt.

“He is a harder opponent than Lakatos. He is a counter puncher, moves his head a lot and is always moving.

“But it’s good to be back in Liverpool two years after Nathan beat Tony Oakey to become Commonwealth champion.

“Becoming world champion is what we have been building up to since he started training at 11 years old and it’s getting closer and closer.”

Mohammedi knocked out Tomas Adamek in April to win his European Union title, defending it once against Djamel Selini in October.

His only defeat was in Le Grand Tournoi, the French equivalent of Prizefighter, when he was stopped in the first round by Thierry Karl – the man who replaced him as national champion in March.

Mohammedi has stopped 12 of his 23 victims and six of his last seven wins have come inside the distance.