In Chicago last night Nathan Cleverly went head-to-head with the Polish fight Andrzej Fonfara.
The former light-heavyweight champion had accepted a difficult fight knowing that a win would guarantee him a shot at the WBC world title.
Many suggested that a defeat for the Welsh fight could spell the end of his career.
However, although Cleverly was to lose on points the performance he gave suggested that there is a lot left in the tank and Cleverly, still only 28 years old can come again.
In a fight where guts was the buzz word, Cleverly suffered a broken nose and an ear injury, injuries that saw him, after the decision was announced, taken to the local hospital with Eddie Hearn remarking,
‘On the way to hospital. Broken nose and needs blood drained from his ear, but is OK.’
The loss was the third of Cleverly?s career, but the Welshman had started the fight well, taking the action to Fonfara before being caught by a punch after the bell to sound the end of the second round.
There wasn?t much in it as the fight entered the second half but Fonfana began to find his range and pepper Cleverly?s face with shots, Trying bravely to fight behind a mask of blood, Cleverly couldn?t stop the tide and the result was given as:-
? 115-113
? 116-112
? 116-112
all in favour of Fonfana.
Cleverly Beaten in Chicago
