By James Slater: Promoter Frank Warren announced his latest big show today at an official press conference. At the O2 Arena in London, on May 21st, unbeaten Welshman Nathan Cleverly will finally get his shot at the World Boxing Organization (WBO) light-heavyweight title held by Germany’s tough Jurgen Braehmer, while bitter rivals James DeGale and George Groves will meet in a mouth-watering clash of unbeaten super-middleweights.
While the WBO light-heavyweight title fight is the headliner and an exciting-looking clash on it’s own, the addition of the Groves-DeGale “grudge-match” has added further spice to the card. These two – who met as amateurs some years back, with current Commonwealth champ Groves getting a win over the man who went on to capture Olympic gold and then the British pro title – have been exchanging words for the longest time. Both have assured victory, with southpaw DeGale predicting a win inside “four-rounds at the most.”
“This will be one of the best shows that I have ever put together,” Warren said. “The super-middleweight division has always had a special place in the hearts of the British public. Joe Calzgahe, Nigel Benn, Chris Eubank, Steve Collins – but I believe DeGale can be better than all of them. This fight with Groves will be an absolute war though, and it’s a massive test.
“Let’s not forget Cleverly and Braehmer as well because that’s one hell of a fight too.”
There’s no doubt, the two headlining fights will ensure a huge live audience, and the SKY Box Office viewers (yes, the show will be Pay-Per-View unfortunately!) will surely prove to be significant also.
So far, unbeaten amateur star Frankie Gavin has been listed as appearing on the under-card, and for a Box Office show, Warren will surely add further match-ups. There has been some suggestion that former WBO cruiser champ Enzo Maccarinelli, who has decided to carry on boxing, may also appear on the bill.
The announcement that Cleverly-Braehmer and DeGale-Groves are set to go has come as good news. Hot on the heels of the announcement that David Haye will at last face “a Klitschko” this summer and the word that Amir Khan and Tim Bradley will clash in July (barring a Paul McCloskey upset next month, of course!), the news that these two fights are on make 2011 look like being one great year for boxing fans.
All we need now is for Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Junior to sign to fight!