Cleverley Targets Unification Bout with Beibut Shumenov

Honestly, I have never heard of the guy, but I do think this is a better choice for Cleverley than Dawson or Hopkins. Shumenov is a world champion, so there is pedigree there, and there is something after it a part from filthy lucre. It would increase his worth and set him up for bigger fights in the future. Do you think that this is: -

a. A sensible fight
b. A fight that Warren is willing to make

Or will it all be bluff and blunder again with Cleverley again taking on a named Britain, this time possibly called Enzo?

What happened to chasing the Dawson-Hopkins winner? In the interview after the fight Cleverly said he'd be keen for that fight (or words thereabouts). i imagine Fwank's sat him down and said "look kid; you looked crap against the scally. The Yanks'll kill you. Stick with me, and this time next year you'll be a millionaire. Lavvly Jabbly." etc.

2 token title holders,. Shumenov is pretty average doesn't do much wrong but doesn't do that much very well either. It's amazing to think you can become a unified World title holder and have no one of note on your record and be pretty rubbish.

Dire situation isn't it?

I do agree, but to go against the Yanks now would be career suicide. May as well make a payday or two before it.

Shumenov is an eminently sensible choice, from the very little I've seen of him. It will give Cleverly extra experience at a high level, without being as threatening as Dawson, Cloud or Pascal (or even Hopkins), for whom Nathan just doesn't appear ready to me. Two belts would also give him additional leverage when it does come to the really tough fights against the top men, probably at the end of 2012 or beginning of 2013.

This is not to say that I think that Shumenov will be an easy fight for Cleverly, just that I think that it is a winnable one at the level at which he must now compete. I would like to see Maccarinelli earn a shot at a title by proving his worth at 175 first, incidentally. He has far too many questions to answer to demand a "Welsh showdown" as of right.

I believe Beibut Shumenov actually holds the LH record for becoming a champion after the fewest pro fights.
A very average fighter, but given that Cleverley looks very average as well, it will probably be a very close fight.

Shumenov has really raided the retirement home so far. Hes been more willing to travel but if I were him I would be reluctant to have a unification match in Britain under a Warren promotion where Paris, O'Conner and Ian John Lewis can shaft me.

manos de piedra wrote:Shumenov has really raided the retirement home so far. Hes been more willing to travel but if I were him I would be reluctant to have a unification match in Britain under a Warren promotion where Paris, O'Conner and Ian John Lewis can shaft me.

Would this make Cleverly the "undisputed" champ in the light heavyweight division?

Shumenov seems a reasonable choice. Still lots of work for Clev to do before he's ready for the Hopkins, Dawsons of the world.

Heard Cleverley on Talksport this morning.

Seemed to think that he had a better chance of a Hopkins fight since Hopkins lost as it would have been unlikely that Hopkins would have fought him if he still had the title.

Can't imagine Dawson would be that interested in what would effectively be a small pay day fighting an unknown (in the US) and unbeaten fighter.

Maybe if he could get his hands on another title the bigger fighters would be more interested.

increases his worth and unlike against the yanks is a winnable fight if he fights macca could we see macca winning due to being too big and strong and clev not carrying a dig?

It seems like most people believe it would be a worthwhile fight against credible, but beatable opposition, which is my take from the start. I have also just heard he is saying that, given the fight last Saturday, Hopkins is more likely to fight him now. I wish he would just concentrate on making sensible matches and not trying to run before he can walk.

If the fight came off still fancy Hopkins to turn over Cleverly, fights Hopkins like he did against Bellew he'll get schooled.

I do not think Hopkins would be interested in fighting Cleverly he is not a big name Hopkins would want not sure there would be big money it. I reckon Hopkins wants big money fights he could have a rematch with Dawson or go to cruiserweight and fight Tarver again or he could fight Cloud they are big names in America who has heard of Cleverly over there? Maybe he will retire lol depends if his injury is bad lets be honest he is so old now if the injury took a while to heal I reckon he could pack it in.

Think it's a good shout, though I'd like him to take another fringe fight first - maybe Sillakh or Chilemba?? Would improve his CV a little too as Murat is the only half decent name on it at the moment and he needs, in my view, something more than a paper belt to get the big boys into bed.

TopHat24/7 wrote:Think it's a good shout, though I'd like him to take another fringe fight first - maybe Sillakh or Chilemba?? Would improve his CV a little too as Murat is the only half decent name on it at the moment and he needs, in my view, something more than a paper belt to get the big boys into bed.

2 paper belts?

AlexHuckerby wrote:

TopHat24/7 wrote:Think it's a good shout, though I'd like him to take another fringe fight first - maybe Sillakh or Chilemba?? Would improve his CV a little too as Murat is the only half decent name on it at the moment and he needs, in my view, something more than a paper belt to get the big boys into bed.

2 paper belts?

Haha, I know, but 2 paper belts but with a CV including Murat, Sillakh, Chilemba (Macaranelli?) is surely suggestive that he deserves a shot at one of the Yanks? Who knows, Bellew might even have picked up a Euro strap by then making that win look more credible.

TopHat24/7 wrote:Think it's a good shout, though I'd like him to take another fringe fight first - maybe Sillakh or Chilemba?? Would improve his CV a little too as Murat is the only half decent name on it at the moment and he needs, in my view, something more than a paper belt to get the big boys into bed.

I would keep Cleverley away from Sillakh. He'd most probably end up giving Cleverley a beating.

J.Benson II wrote:

TopHat24/7 wrote:Think it's a good shout, though I'd like him to take another fringe fight first - maybe Sillakh or Chilemba?? Would improve his CV a little too as Murat is the only half decent name on it at the moment and he needs, in my view, something more than a paper belt to get the big boys into bed.

I would keep Cleverley away from Sillakh. He'd most probably end up giving Cleverley a beating.

Sillakh should be his level, if he'd get a beating he shouldn't be world champ and calling out Hoppo/Dawson!

ive also been pretty impressed with sillakh

TopHat24/7 wrote:

J.Benson II wrote:

TopHat24/7 wrote:Think it's a good shout, though I'd like him to take another fringe fight first - maybe Sillakh or Chilemba?? Would improve his CV a little too as Murat is the only half decent name on it at the moment and he needs, in my view, something more than a paper belt to get the big boys into bed.

I would keep Cleverley away from Sillakh. He'd most probably end up giving Cleverley a beating.

Sillakh should be his level, if he'd get a beating he shouldn't be world champ and calling out Hoppo/Dawson!

Thats the thing though, he shouldnt be a world champ. Frank Warren is the only reason he is.