Nathan’s boxing cleverly
NATHAN CLEVERLY has set his sights firmly on becoming part of boxing’s elite by beating Badou Jack in Las Vegas on Saturday.
Jack vacated his WBC world super-middleweight crown to make the step up to light-heavy, at which he will face the WBA world champion from Wales.
The two men meet at the T-Mobile Arena on the Floyd Mayweather-Conor McGregor undercard and Cleverly reckons that a victory will set up a career-defining clash with Andre Ward.
He said: “Win this fight and then it’s very, very likely the Ward fight could happen.
“This is a real, solid worldclass fight between me and Jack, a true world-class fight.
“And then the next step up you have is elite level, which is Andre Ward, a pound-forpound elite fighter.
“Winning this fight will give me that opportunity and on my day, I can take on Jack and be victorious.
“I’m feeling, physically, on top form and, most importantly, mentally. I’m vibrant, excited and ready to put on a real good performance.
“Without the MayweatherMcGregor event, myself versus Badou Jack is a great fight, it stands alone.
“But the way it has worked out it is chief support to a fantasy fight on a global scale event, it’s a real, real bonus.
“I haven’t really watched too much of Jack, but I have an idea of his style.
“He’s a world-class fighter, very consistent at world level, but we know what we’re up against – and we’re ready.”