At today’s official weigh-in on Cardiff’s busy Queen Street, outside the Capitol Shopping Centre, WBO World Light-Heavyweight Champion Nathan Cleverly came in at 12st 6lb (174lb) while the challenger Sergey Kovalev weighed 12st 5lb 8oz (173lbs).
Undefeated Cleverly makes the eighth and riskiest title defence against the dynamite-punching Russian tomorrow night at Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena, live and exclusive in the on BoxNation (Sky Ch. 437/Virgin Ch. 546) and in America on HBO.
Cleverly said, “There is nothing left to say now and all the talking will be done in the ring tomorrow night. All the hard work is done, I’ve hit the weight spot and I’m ready to fight. I can’t wait for it, bring on Kovalev.”
In the chief support, British Super-Featherweight Champion Gary Buckland hit the scales at 9st 2lb 8oz (128lb) and challenger Stephen Smith came in at 9st 4lb (130lb).
Commonwealth Light-Heavyweight Champion Ovill McKenzie weighed 12st 6lb (174lb) with challenger Enzo Maccarinelli weighing 12st 6lb (174lb) in the big rematch.
Remaining tickets are available from the Cardiff Motorpoint Arena Box Office on 02920 224 488 or Eventim on 0844 249 1000 or www.eventim.co.uk
Watch the whole ‘Red Mist’ event – headlined by the unmissable WBO World Light-Heavyweight collision between Nathan Cleverly and unbeaten Russian KO king Sergey Kovalev, plus Gary Buckland’s British Super-Featherweight title defence against Stephen Smith and Commonwealth Light-Heavyweight Champion Ovill McKenzie’s rematch against Enzo Maccarinelli – live and exclusive in the UK on BoxNation (Sky Ch.437/Virgin Ch.546) from 7pm. Join at www.boxnation.com
Videos: Nathan Cleverly – Sergey Kovalev Press Conference
The WBO Light-Heavyweight Champion of the World Nathan Cleverly faces his toughest task as world champion when he lines up the unbeaten Russian Sergey Kovalev.
Cleverly has so far put five opponents to the sword during his two-and-a-half-year reign as the WBO’s top dog, and now he faces Ring Magazine’s third ranked light-heavyweight in a true elite level fight.
Kovalev, 30, recently dismantled the American hot prospect Cornelius White, putting him on the canvas three times en route to a 19th win by stoppage of his 22 fight career. The Russian, based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, also has three-round TKO over former world champion Gabriel Campillo to his name which is why he’s become known to American audiences as the world’s most dangerous light-heavyweight.
Frank Warren Talks Cleverly v Kovalev at The Head to Head Presser
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcUwc6sdq0I
