Nathan Cleverly has insisted that his preparation for his November 10 fight in Los Angeles has not been undermined by the uncertainty surrounding scheduled opponent Ryan Coyne’s fighting future because the sport’s lack of reliability has become almost routine.
The 30-year-old unbeaten American’s plan to dethrone WBO light-heavyweight champion Cleverly is under considerable risk by a legal dispute with his promoter Don King, who has threatened Coyne and Frank Warren with a lawsuit should any potential fight go ahead, but Cleverly is adamant that with a shortlist of three other opponents in mind he is able to concentrate entirely on getting into fighting shape.
“This should be frustrating but I’ve taken it all in my stride,” said Cleverly, who made the first defence of his world title with a last-minute opponent after two others – Juergen Braehmer and Tony Bellew – became unavailable to compete. “It’s something I’m used to by now because there always seems to be drama around my fights.
“I’m getting on with my business and I’ve trained well. Mentally and physically I feel great.
“I really don’t care who’s in the other corner, as long as I get to fight. I’ve got no problem with the politics that’s been going on.
“We will be fighting in LA on November 10 and that’s the most important thing to me.
“If it is a non-title fight then it won’t be the end of the world. I’ll treat it as any other fight.
“Every fight is a world title fight to me and it’s a great opportunity for whoever comes in.
“I feel like I’m just around the corner from the super-fights, so this is a great opportunity for me.
“Like myself he’s never been beaten. [If it goes ahead] it will be a great battle between two warriors defending their unbeaten records.”
Should Cleverly’s fight get cancelled or downgraded to a non-title fight – which Frank Warren Promotions insist is unlikely to happen – it would be a disappointing development given the cancellation of his Cardiff showdown with Ukrainian Vyacheslav Uzelkov in Cardiff on October 27 in order to pursue the LA date.