NATHAN CLEVERLY sees victory on Saturday as the gateway to global fame and fortune – but admits he starts as the underdog. The Welshman’s sixth WBO world light-heavyweight title defence is his most dangerous yet against unbeaten Russian Sergey Kovalev, who has knocked out 19 of his 22 opponents. Some even make Kovalev, 30, the favourite but Cleverly has likened the fight to his former sparring partner Joe Calzaghe’s 2006 points win over American Jeff Lacy. Beating Lacy catapulted Calzaghe into the big time and big money. Unbeaten Cleverly, now 26, believes claiming US-based Kovalev’s scalp at Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena will earn him worldwide respect. And he believes it will increase his profile as he strives to set up a clash with a rival world champion. He said: “Joe’s fight with Lacy and mine with Kovalev, they’re both very similar scenarios. Joe just said to me, ‘It was the same with me and Lacy – and look what happened then’. “It’s a big challenge fo
http://www.boxingdepot.net/blogs/news/8579747-nathan-cleverly-the-next-joe-calzaghe
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