Cleverly to face Andrzej Fonfara

by Scottrf Tue 13 Dec 2011, 10:11 am

25th February, Cardiff Motorpoint Arena.

WBO Number 9.
Already stopped.
Doesn't look like a big puncher.

Tough sell.

by Rowley Tue 13 Dec 2011, 10:13 am

Winner of Hopkins Dawson still not available?

by AlexHuckerby Tue 13 Dec 2011, 10:16 am

Hmm... Shumenov fight appears to have gone walkabout then.

by Rowley Tue 13 Dec 2011, 10:17 am

AlexHuckerby wrote:Hmm... Shumenov fight appears to have gone walkabout then.

It's typical Warren, talk about this big name and that unification and then when it comes time to deliver offer up some geezer nobody has heard of. Have nothing against Cleverly as he seems a decent enough kid but wake me up when he fights someone.

by Mind the windows Tino. Tue 13 Dec 2011, 10:21 am

Perhaps Warren did try and make a fight with Shumenov. It's can't always be his fault if a fight doesn't happen.

He has a responsibility to Cleverly to keep him busy as well. He can't exactly sit on his bum for a year waiting for a 'big' fight.

by AlexHuckerby Tue 13 Dec 2011, 10:21 am

After this it wouldn't shock me if Bellew comes through his *Ahem* acid test, we see Cleverly face his domestic rival.

by Rowley Tue 13 Dec 2011, 10:23 am

Mind the windows Tino. wrote:Perhaps Warren did try and make a fight with Shumenov. It's can't always be his fault if a fight doesn't happen.

You're probably right Tina, he was probably just unlucky with Calzaghe for seven years.

by The Galveston Giant Tue 13 Dec 2011, 10:28 am

Boring, can't see it selling well he'll have to put a decent card together, i think the wait for it will be as intense as the one for Klitschko/Mormeck, disappointing.

by Scottrf Tue 13 Dec 2011, 10:30 am

Can't see him putting a massive undercard together in a 5k seater arena though.

by Mind the windows Tino. Tue 13 Dec 2011, 10:32 am

rowley wrote:
Mind the windows Tino. wrote:Perhaps Warren did try and make a fight with Shumenov. It's can't always be his fault if a fight doesn't happen.

You're probably right Tina, he was probably just unlucky with Calzaghe for seven years.

I'm not saying he is blameless and I wouldn't hold him up a paragon of virtue either. Just that we don't know what has happened behind the scenes and Cleverly needs to fight regularly. He is still raw and needs to fight as often as possible. Would you rather a young, new 'world' title holder fights once a year or trys to keep busy and learn his trade whilst waiting for a bigger fight?

by **88Chris05** Tue 13 Dec 2011, 10:32 am

For someone who is twenty-odd fights in to their career but is calling themself a 'world champion' with two successful defences behind them, Cleverly's opposition has been pretty awful so far.

Can't see this selling unless he sticks some of the Olympians on the undercard, and even then it's likely to be a turgid evening.

by coxy0001 Tue 13 Dec 2011, 10:32 am

WBO Number 9.

To be honest their rankings for LHW are a disgrace.

Yet another Frank Warren swindle with a WBO stay at homey.

by Scottrf Tue 13 Dec 2011, 10:34 am

I thought they would go for the number 2 ranked 'teak tough Ghanain, home of Azumah Nelson, never been stopped' to be honest.

by Soldier_Of_Fortune Tue 13 Dec 2011, 10:35 am

Cue Steffan to say the Fonfara is a tough test

by **88Chris05** Tue 13 Dec 2011, 10:36 am

Scottrf wrote:I thought they would go for the number 2 ranked 'teak tough Ghanain, home of Azumah Nelson, never been stopped' to be honest.

Building up to it, Scott, waiting until the anticipation and clamour for it reaches fever pitch.

by Rowley Tue 13 Dec 2011, 10:38 am

Mind the windows Tino. wrote:
rowley wrote:
Mind the windows Tino. wrote:Perhaps Warren did try and make a fight with Shumenov. It's can't always be his fault if a fight doesn't happen.

You're probably right Tina, he was probably just unlucky with Calzaghe for seven years.

I'm not saying he is blameless and I wouldn't hold him up a paragon of virtue either. Just that we don't know what has happened behind the scenes and Cleverly needs to fight regularly. He is still raw and needs to fight as often as possible. Would you rather a young, new 'world' title holder fights once a year or trys to keep busy and learn his trade whilst waiting for a bigger fight?

I don't care to be honest because a fight like this probably has little to no value, what sticks in my craw is the constant talk of unifications or the winner of Hopkins Dawson which you know damned well are not going to happen, treats fans with absolute contempt and treats us like idiots. If you have no intention of matching him with anyone with a pulse, and I genuinely don't believe Frank is, then keep your trap shut and hope enough people are stupid enough to shell out for dross.

by **Union Cane** Tue 13 Dec 2011, 10:41 am

They have Dimitrenko at number 2 light heavy?

He's never weighed in at less than 240lbs...

by Scottrf Tue 13 Dec 2011, 10:43 am

Na 'teak tough Ghanain, home of Azumah Nelson', Braimah Kamoko is an number 2, think there was a copying error.

by Mind the windows Tino. Tue 13 Dec 2011, 10:46 am

rowley wrote:

I don't care to be honest because a fight like this probably has little to no value, what sticks in my craw is the constant talk of unifications or the winner of Hopkins Dawson which you know damned well are not going to happen, treats fans with absolute contempt and treats us like idiots. If you have no intention of matching him with anyone with a pulse, and I genuinely don't believe Frank is, then keep your trap shut and hope enough people are stupid enough to shell out for dross.

Fair enough, I don't have that much time for Warren either, I just don't think Cleverly should be at the point of being blamed yet. If, like Calzaghe, it takes him forever to get the big fights he claims he wants then he will be fair game, but until that point I think he deserves a little slack. A lot of people were critical of his performance against Bellew so he shouldn't take too much stick for wanting to fight as much as possible and keep progressing.

by **88Chris05** Tue 13 Dec 2011, 10:49 am

In fairness though Tino, it was Cleverly who was making noise about a unification bout or taking on someone like Hopkins in the post-fight press conference after Bellew. Not saying he should be taking the blame, but when the fighter himself suggests something approaching a 'big' fight and then takes on someone like Fonfara, the fans will naturally question why, and how genuine he was with that statement.

by Scottrf Tue 13 Dec 2011, 10:51 am

88Chris05 wrote:In fairness though Tino, it was Cleverly who was making noise about a unification bout or taking on someone like Hopkins in the post-fight press conference after Bellew. Not saying he should be taking the blame, but when the fighter himself suggests something approaching a 'big' fight and then takes on someone like Fonfara, the fans will naturally question why, and how genuine he was with that statement.

Perhaps they are trying to find a fan for Fonfara.

by **Union Cane** Tue 13 Dec 2011, 10:54 am

He's popular in Scotland.

There are fans for Forfana in Forfar.

by Rowley Tue 13 Dec 2011, 10:56 am

Think were it any other promoter people would be a little more forgiving but Warren has such form for this, as Alma said only delivered for Hatton when he was threatening to leave, took seven years to deliver for Joe, like most would hate to see Clev go the same route as Calzaghe, and start the same debates for all time on here.

by **superflyweight** Tue 13 Dec 2011, 10:58 am

1. Dmitry Sukhotsky (Int-Cont) RUS
2. Alexander Dimitrenko GER 2. Denis Lebedev RUS 2. Braimah Kamoko (WBO Africa) GHA
3. Eduard Gutknecht GER
4. Soulan Pownceby (Asia-Pacific) NZ
5. Marcus Vinicius de Oliveira (Latino) BRA
6. Robin Krasniqi (WBO Europe) GER
7. My mum SCO
8. Karo Murat GER
9. Andrzej Fonfara (NABO) POL
10. Dustin Dirks GER
11. Graham Norton IRE
12. Viacheslav Uzelkov UKR
13. Tomas Kovacs SVK
14. Isaac Chilemba MAL
15. Tony Bellew GB

That's better

by Mind the windows Tino. Tue 13 Dec 2011, 10:59 am

88Chris05 wrote:In fairness though Tino, it was Cleverly who was making noise about a unification bout or taking on someone like Hopkins in the post-fight press conference after Bellew. Not saying he should be taking the blame, but when the fighter himself suggests something approaching a 'big' fight and then takes on someone like Fonfara, the fans will naturally question why, and how genuine he was with that statement.

I do take your point Chris, and I would like to think that Cleverly will be a touch embarrassed about his comments, but that happens with all boxers. I would still rather him take a fight that sit around. He is so green and needs time to develop, doing that as a 'world' champion is just an indictment of all that is wrong with the game, but not exactly his fault and not really the debate here. I am not saying it is a great fight or that Warren/Cleverly are the model of how it should be done, far from it, just that he needs to keep active somehow.

by tommyhearnsprodigalson Tue 13 Dec 2011, 11:01 am

Who's Cleverly's mandatory? i thought he had to fight him next

Once you become "world Champ" your opposition should improve dramatically, these are the kinda fights you take on the way up, not when you're supposidly at the top

by coxy0001 Tue 13 Dec 2011, 11:08 am

Who's Cleverly's mandatory?

Apparently it's me, i'm around the 175lb mark and have done nothing to warrant a ranking so they've gone for me in their big lottery style draw for who gets the spot.

by **Union Cane** Tue 13 Dec 2011, 11:09 am

coxy0001 wrote:
Who's Cleverly's mandatory?

Apparently it's me, i'm around the 175lb mark and have done nothing to warrant a ranking so they've gone for me in their big lottery style draw for who gets the spot.

*275lb

by Valero's Conscience Tue 13 Dec 2011, 11:09 am

Typical Warren, get a guy to be champ by easiest route possible, when the spotlights on, say you'll fight the best, wait for the smoke to settle and fight a genuine "WHO"!

by Mind the windows Tino. Tue 13 Dec 2011, 11:10 am

coxy0001 wrote:
Who's Cleverly's mandatory?

Apparently it's me, i'm around the 175lb mark and have done nothing to warrant a ranking so they've gone for me in their big lottery style draw for who gets the spot.

I would give up a years salary to see you and Cleverly in a fight.

by tommyhearnsprodigalson Tue 13 Dec 2011, 11:12 am

think i might put my name in the hat then, im around 175 now and my record is a healthy 2(0) 5(3) 0 i've only ever sparred, im feather fisted enough to not worry the clev's chin and discovered i'm glass chinned aswell so he'll get the KO, think that warrents me over you coxy Very Happy

by Rowley Tue 13 Dec 2011, 11:14 am

Mind the windows Tino. wrote:
coxy0001 wrote:
Who's Cleverly's mandatory?

Apparently it's me, i'm around the 175lb mark and have done nothing to warrant a ranking so they've gone for me in their big lottery style draw for who gets the spot.

I would give up a years salary to see you and Cleverly in a fight.

If we can have the same ref as the Maccarinelli Frenkel fight I'll happily match that.

by Valero's Conscience Tue 13 Dec 2011, 11:15 am

tommyhearnsprodigalson wrote:think i might put my name in the hat then, im around 175 now and my record is a healthy 2(0) 5(3) 0 i've only ever sparred, im feather fisted enough to not worry the clev's chin and discovered i'm glass chinned aswell so he'll get the KO, think that warrents me over you coxy

You look too dangerous on paper to fight him!

Once Enzo Mac gets KTFO a few times, he'll be about ready!

by Scottrf Tue 13 Dec 2011, 11:16 am

Him or Steve Smoger.

Lets get it on.

That's £250k, we're probably not far off.

by Mind the windows Tino. Tue 13 Dec 2011, 11:16 am

rowley wrote:
Mind the windows Tino. wrote:
coxy0001 wrote:
Who's Cleverly's mandatory?

Apparently it's me, i'm around the 175lb mark and have done nothing to warrant a ranking so they've gone for me in their big lottery style draw for who gets the spot.

I would give up a years salary to see you and Cleverly in a fight.

If we can have the same ref as the Maccarinelli Frenkel fight I'll happily match that.

I wasn't even considering having a ref actually. Just a fight to the finish.

by AlexHuckerby Tue 13 Dec 2011, 11:19 am

Mind the windows Tino. wrote:
coxy0001 wrote:
Who's Cleverly's mandatory?

Apparently it's me, i'm around the 175lb mark and have done nothing to warrant a ranking so they've gone for me in their big lottery style draw for who gets the spot.

I would give up a years salary to see you and Cleverly in a fight.

All your jobseekers allowance? :O

by Scottrf Tue 13 Dec 2011, 11:21 am

AlexHuckerby wrote:All your jobseekers allowance? :O

Tino is one of the 1%. Don't be deluded.

by coxy0001 Tue 13 Dec 2011, 11:21 am

Mind the windows Tino. wrote:
rowley wrote:
Mind the windows Tino. wrote:
coxy0001 wrote:
Who's Cleverly's mandatory?

Apparently it's me, i'm around the 175lb mark and have done nothing to warrant a ranking so they've gone for me in their big lottery style draw for who gets the spot.

I would give up a years salary to see you and Cleverly in a fight.

If we can have the same ref as the Maccarinelli Frenkel fight I'll happily match that.

I wasn't even considering having a ref actually. Just a fight to the finish.

Must be official. I probably stand more chance than his current choice of opponent.

by mckay1402 Tue 13 Dec 2011, 11:23 am

Perhaps Warren appreciates that although he has basically walked to a title he is still a bit green and needs more fights before he's ready for a real test. Personally I'm glad he's not just chucking him in against someone he patently isn't ready for. Needs a step up soon though or he will be looking more like a plastic champ.

by Valero's Conscience Tue 13 Dec 2011, 11:26 am

mckay1402 wrote:Perhaps Warren appreciates that although he has basically walked to a title he is still a bit green and needs more fights before he's ready for a real test. Personally I'm glad he's not just chucking him in against someone he patently isn't ready for. Needs a step up soon though or he will be looking more like a plastic champ.

That's exactly what is wrong with boxing, IMO if you are a champ holding one of the Big 4 belts then you should be ready to fight anyone.

How can a champ not be ready for a unification fight? If Cleverley isn't ready then i'd rather see him knocked out so the belt is passed on to someone who will at least attempt to fight the others.

by Mind the windows Tino. Tue 13 Dec 2011, 11:29 am

Scottrf wrote:
AlexHuckerby wrote:All your jobseekers allowance? :O
Tino is one of the 1%. Don't be deluded.

Eh?

by Scottrf Tue 13 Dec 2011, 11:30 am

You haven't heard of The One Percent? It's more of an American thing to be fair, take a look on Google.

by Rowley Tue 13 Dec 2011, 11:30 am

Valero's Conscience wrote:
mckay1402 wrote:Perhaps Warren appreciates that although he has basically walked to a title he is still a bit green and needs more fights before he's ready for a real test. Personally I'm glad he's not just chucking him in against someone he patently isn't ready for. Needs a step up soon though or he will be looking more like a plastic champ.

That's exactly what is wrong with boxing, IMO if you are a champ holding one of the Big 4 belts then you should be ready to fight anyone.

How can a champ not be ready for a unification fight? If Cleverley isn't ready then i'd rather see him knocked out so the belt is passed on to someone who will at least attempt to fight the others.

Got to agree, the idea that a world champion is not ready to fight the best in the world is patently ridiculous and is a microcosm of everything wrong with the sport, world titles should be the absolute pinnicle, not a marketing tool. Seems fighters and promoters want to have their cake and eat it, want the kudos and extra money being a world champion brings but without the tricky bit of getting in the ring and fighting the best in the world.

by **Union Cane** Tue 13 Dec 2011, 11:34 am

Scottrf wrote:You haven't heard of The One Percent? It's more of an American thing to be fair, take a look on Google.

American things, Finnish fight fans, you're quite the international playboy aren't you!

by AlexHuckerby Tue 13 Dec 2011, 11:34 am

Completely right Rowley, if you aren't willing to take on the biggest challenges or at least face genuinely credible opponents then you should not be fighting for titles.

by mckay1402 Tue 13 Dec 2011, 11:34 am

rowley wrote:
Valero's Conscience wrote:
mckay1402 wrote:Perhaps Warren appreciates that although he has basically walked to a title he is still a bit green and needs more fights before he's ready for a real test. Personally I'm glad he's not just chucking him in against someone he patently isn't ready for. Needs a step up soon though or he will be looking more like a plastic champ.

That's exactly what is wrong with boxing, IMO if you are a champ holding one of the Big 4 belts then you should be ready to fight anyone.

How can a champ not be ready for a unification fight? If Cleverley isn't ready then i'd rather see him knocked out so the belt is passed on to someone who will at least attempt to fight the others.

Got to agree, the idea that a world champion is not ready to fight the best in the world is patently ridiculous and is a microcosm of everything wrong with the sport, world titles should be the absolute pinnicle, not a marketing tool. Seems fighters and promoters want to have their cake and eat it, want the kudos and extra money being a world champion brings but without the tricky bit of getting in the ring and fighting the best in the world.

It's hardly his fault the way things have panned out. He fought for the interim and then was awarded the title by default. Had there been somebody in the seat then he would have had to do it the traditional way but in the end he has got there probably a couple of years before he was ready to. Perhaps the belt should pass to someone else but he is the current holder and I have no doubt that in 2012 he will make a defence against a decent opponent.

by Scottrf Tue 13 Dec 2011, 11:37 am

Union Cane wrote:
Scottrf wrote:You haven't heard of The One Percent? It's more of an American thing to be fair, take a look on Google.

American things, Finnish fight fans, you're quite the international playboy aren't you!

It’s a small world in the internet age Cane.

by AlexHuckerby Tue 13 Dec 2011, 11:54 am

Just understood the one percent jibe Very Happy

by two_tone Tue 13 Dec 2011, 12:10 pm

AlexHuckerby wrote:Just understood the one percent jibe

Could also refer to the amount of useful posts you contribute.

by Reborn-DeeMcK-Reborn Tue 13 Dec 2011, 12:27 pm

Is this the BIG NEWS that boxnation promised us a few days ago!!!???

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