Home Breaking Boxing News Andrzej Fonfara wins a hard fought battle against Nathan Cleverly

Andrzej Fonfara wins a hard fought battle against Nathan Cleverly

The fans at UIC Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois were treated to a tremendous light heavyweight battle between Andrzej Fonfara and Nathan Cleverly. The twelve round contest ebbed and flowed in a hard-fought spirit of competition.

Nathan Cleverly vs Fonfara

Poland’s Fonfara, who lives and trains in Chicago, had the crowd in his corner though Welshman Cleverly earned the respect of all those watching, with his best performance for a few years.

Cleverly (29-3, 15 KOs) showed his hand-speed and some good combination punching. The left jab was impressive, though not used enough, and he landed crisp uppercuts. The more methodical work came from Fonfara, who also showed solid uppercuts and straight right hands. Both landed some good body-shots. For me, Fonfara seemed to have the final replies in exchanges. The punch output was tremendously high, with both men 100% committed. Referee Hector Afu had little to do, as there were no clinches and these two just got on with it.

Nathan Cleverly1

Fonfara (28-3, 16 KOs), at times stiff, was not hard to hit but has a solid chin. A known slow starter, who will keep coming. Cleverly suffered terrible nose damage in the seventh, and was a bloody mess, at the end of the round. Fonfara targeted the broken nose but the Welshman fought through the pain. It was a point, in the bout, that swayed the momentum the Pole’s way. It had been in the fifth that Cleverly seemed full of confidence, showboating and throwing flashy shots. The rounds were always close and competitively fought, neither man wanting to give the other the edge. The contest was often fought at close quarters, though Nathan looked the sharper of the two, when he worked behind the jab.Andrzej Fonfara, Nathan Cleverly

The nose was a concern and the doctor was taking a close look, before the end of the tenth. The former WBO light heavyweight champion, showed he still has the desire and ability to compete at this level. An entertaining battle and one that I’d enjoy seeing again. Fonfara will now be looking for another World title shot, he’s already been defeated by Adonis Stevenson (bu unanimous decision in 2014) but a fight with the division’s No.1 Sergey Kovalev would seem a natural next step.

I had Fonfara winning a close fight and the judges scorecards were all in favour of Fonfara: 115-113, 116-112 x 2.