Boxing Betting: Nathan Cleverly v Juergen Braehmer

[Betfair]

Destiny calls for a Welsh boxing wonder some 14 years on from Joe Calzaghe's arrival on the scene, but can Nathan Cleverly live up to the hype? Alex Steedman may have the answers

Nearly 14 years ago an articulate, good looking Welshman announced himself by upsetting the odds to win the first of his World titles. Not long after a starry-eyed youth walked into the new Champion's gym hoping to step in the shadow of his hero. Joe Calzaghe was the champ, Nathan Cleverly his would-be successor who this weekend faces his own moment of destiny.

Just as Calzaghe overcome the occasion as much Chris Eubank back in 1997, so Cleverly faces a rough, tough established older fighter in Juergen Braehmer.

The German was an outstanding amateur, accounting for future world champions Ricky Hatton and Carl Froch along the way and he has carved a solid, if unspectacular, pro career. With 36 wins in 38 fights, Braehmer opted to slug not box on his first, failed, attempt at world honours in 2008 but he made no mistake second time around when winning this WBO Light Heavyweight title in late 2009. The bad boy of German boxing has defended the belt once but has been inactive for more than a year.

Braehmer has spent time away from the ring before having squandered some of his younger years in jail and the inside beckons again should he fail to quash an impending assault charge. At 32, time is literally running away from him but he looks mentally tough and with 29 stoppages on the ledger, he does have the dig as well as the skill set to pose Cleverly problems. Braehmer isn't illusive like most southpaws, he has a somewhat languid style but he can throw unsuspected punches from awkward angles when he stays in range. He's finished six of his last eight opponents inside the distance.
Cleverly though is on an amazing unbeaten run himself. Since beating Tony Oakey to win the Commonwealth title in 2008 he's stopped seven of eight opponents including Danny McIntosh (who's since gone onto win the European title) and Karo Murat who was being hailed as the next German star.

The only blip on Clev's recent record was when he was frustrated and taken the distance by Nadjib Mohammedi in December but the Frenchman is probably underrated and certainly Cleverly was de-motivated. You can be sure he will be focused for this.

Continued: Sports Betting