Nathan Cleverly Enjoys The Quiet Life Of Home
You will not find the New WBO World Light Heavyweight Champion Nathan Cleverly driving around in flash cars, or splashing the cash on expensive gifts for his friends and family. Instead he will more than likely be at home in Cefn Fforest with his girlfriend Rebecca Cole.
Cleverly was awarded the WBO belt by default earlier this year when his scheduled opponent Jurgen Brahmer pulled out with an eye injury. A late replacement was found for Cleverly to fight and he made a successful first defence oh his title when he defeated Aleksy Kuziemski.
He celebrated his success with a family holiday in Florida, and on his return to the Welsh Valleys there was no buying of big new houses for Cleverly. Instead he got straight down to work on some home improvements.
He has no plans to move away from home and in a recent interview with the local newspaper The South Wales Argus he said, “I enjoy the area. It’s the perfect environment for my training. It’s where my gym is, the running routes are brilliant, lovely mountains, fresh air. My family and friends are here. I’m happy to stay in the area for the rest of my life.”
Cleverly first got into boxing when he begged his mum to take him to the Newbridge Boxing Club made famous by Joe Calzaghe. In fact Calzaghe was a big influence on his career and Cleverly said, “Joe was world champion when I first went down the gym. He was a Valleys boy like myself – brought up in similar circumstances. He proved you could go on and conquer the world of boxing. That was a big inspiration.”
Cleverly is still only 24 and if he has half a good a career as what Calzaghe did he will be very successful boxer. A boxer that will be at home enjoying the quiet life of the Welsh Valleys rather than the bright lights of the pubs and the clubs.