By Adam Fillingham: Growing Welshman Nathan Cleverly will be fighting for the vacant European title against Italian veteran Antonio Brancalion. The British and former Commonwealth champion will be hoping to make a big impression at Wembley on Saturday night. Cleverly is coming from domination wins over Courtney Fry (TKO round 8) Danny McIntosh ( TKO round 7) and Billy Boyle ( TKO round 2). Cleverly fought to perfection in these fights which has earned him the status of Britain’s biggest prospect and has been introduced into the ring magazine top 10..
Antonio Brancalion has had a career full of ups and downs. After going twelve fights undefeated Brancalion challenged for the Italian light heavyweight title. He lost a close points decision. Antonio re matched the Italian champion only to lose again on cuts. In a third and final fight two years later Brancalion lost once again by majority decision after winning the Italian crown one fight earlier. After a big blip in his career after this fight (two losses and two draws) he went on to claim some titles. Brancalion claimed the IBF International light heavyweight title, Italian light heavyweight title, the European Union light heavyweight title and finally he fought unsuccessfully for the European Crown.
Antonio’s last fight was a one round knockout loss to (now world champion) Juergen Braehmer in June last year. Since then Brancalion has been inactive and this could be his downfall tonight.
Even doing his maths degree at university Nathan Cleverly has always stayed very active. His last fight was only four months ago and Nathan got some good, hard fought rounds under his belt.
Tonight I believe that the European crown will be in British hands. I also don’t think that the belt will stay vacant through all twelve rounds and if I have to give a prediction I will say Cleverly will knock out the Italian within ten rounds.