Cleverly wants Hopkins fight
World light-heavyweight champion Nathan Cleverly is targeting a box office defence of his title against American veteran Bernard Hopkins. The undefeated Welshman, 24, beat late stand-in Aleksy Kuziemski after being confirmed as WBO champion when Juergen Braehmer pulled out of their fight at the 02 Arena. A few hours later 46-year-old Hopkins, who won the first of his world titles 16 years ago, defeated Jean Pascal to become the oldest world champion ever. “Let’s get the big fights on,” said Cleverly shortly before Hopkins’ win. They’re the sorts of fights I want to be involved in.” Cleverly’s promoter Frank Warren added: “I think Nathan’s up there with all of them, I really do.”