Home Boxing News Nathan Cleverly vs Badou Jack – Ringnews24 Writers’ & Fans’ Predictions

Nathan Cleverly vs Badou Jack – Ringnews24 Writers’ & Fans’ Predictions

Fight Preview

Nathan Cleverly and Badou Jack will clash on the big Floyd Mayweather-Conor McGregor undercard in Las Vegas on August 26. This is a huge chance for the UK fighter to showcase his skills on a show that the world will be watching with great interest.

Cleverly turned pro young, in 2005, and it’s hard to believe that he is still only 30 years old. However, the Cefn Forest resident does have a fair few miles on the clock after engaging in some stirring ring wars. The Welshman is an active volume puncher who will be throwing combinations from start to finish. Jack, however, should be in a better mental space and good physical condition given that he struggled to make super-middleweight and has talked of a move up to light-heavyweight for some time. Now based in Las Vegas, Jack possesses height and physical strength advantages over many of his opponents.

Read More

Writers’ Predictions

Barbara Pinnella

With the WBA light heavyweight title on the line, Nathan Cleverly (30-3, 16 KOs) will defend his belt against Badou Jack (21-1-2, 12 KOs) on the undercard of the Mayweather / McGregor event. Nathan has been out of the ring since the beginning of October when he wrenched that title from the tough Juergen Braehmer. He would like this win to hopefully give himself a chance to fight Andre Ward, but should not completely overlook Badou.

Even though he holds both the IBF and WBC World super middleweight belts, Jack moves up from that weight to try to fight his way to Cleverly’s WBA title. He last faced off against James DeGale in January, a fight he won by majority decision. Badou is a steady, solid fighter who will give it his all, but he is not a natural light heavy. It could be a long night for him against the strong Cleverly.

Even with the longer lay-off, I don’t see Jack winning over the Welshman. I think that Nathan is too strong for Badou and will impose his power from the outset of the fight. He will step into Jack’s hometown and take his belt back home with him. Nathan Cleverly by UD. Cleverly

Slaven Ajanovic

Nathan Cleverly is spoiled goods; he was once a really fine boxer but now seems to have reached the top some time ago and is starting to slide. Jack is a very strong and stable fighter, whose power may be underrated and may envelop at 175. So, a late stoppage for Jack, TKO 10. Jack

Nick Jackson

Nathan Cleverly will be defending his title on the Mayweather-McGregor card. Badou Jack will give Cleverly a hard time for sure but I am confident he overcomes this to keep his title. – Cleverly on points. Cleverly

Tracey Langley

I actually think Cleverly is past it and whilst Jack has done well to retain his title I don’t think that Jack is a great world champion based on performance.

I think Cleverly will be hungry for the world title and will go to fight for it. If the Cleverly of years ago turns up then I think we see an upset otherwise I see Badou Jack winning on points. Jack

Lee Skavydis

Both guys like going toe to toe. But neither have truly concussive power. Lateral movement can trouble Jack, but the Welshman will probably want to slug it out with him which will suit both down to the ground. Expect an action-packed fight with a lot of infighting and both guys landing some terrific punches. Cleverly throws many punches and this could be the defining factor. Cleverly on points. Cleverly

Rob Day

If Jack doesn’t get another home show decision, this could be interesting. Nathan has prepared for this – he’s the bigger, quicker man. Jack is flat-footed and doesn’t bring power but comes on late. Cleverly has a huge engine. If the Welshman gets the tactics right, he wins this fight. Cleverly

James Tonks

As much as I want Cleverly to be victories, I just can’t see it. I’ve always questioned his heart and don’t think he has it to dig deep when needed, and he’s going to need a lot of heart against Jack. Cleverly has all the ability in the world but doesn’t use it to make fights easy, instead, he gets caught in the moment of the fight and gets distracted and gets caught too many times. If Cleverly boxes smart against Jack, and attacks when he wants, and defends when he want’s and doesn’t get drawn into doing what Jack want’s him too then he has a big chance of boxing his way to a points decision. But, I don’t think he has the discipline to do so over 12 long hard rounds, Jack will win a points decision – I hope I am wrong and Cleverly puts on a lifetime performance and my fellow Brit wins in the lion’s den. Jack

Jeremiah Preisser

Cleverly is a guy I have come to respect over the years. His resume is loaded with good names – Sergey Kovalev, Tony Bellew (2x), Andrzej Fonfara, Juergen Braehmer and now Badou Jack. While he has come out on the short end of the stick more often than not, he has always given his best. Against Mayweather-product Badou Jack, a repeat effort of most of his big fights is likely in order. That is, he will fail competitively. Jack is physically strong and can bang, and he carries both into the later stages of the fight, Cleverly doesn’t seem to have quick enough feet to dance away, nor the power to keep Jack off of him. I have Badou Jack by unanimous decision. Jack

Bobby Mac

Nathan Cleverly vs Badou Jack – Jack beat up DeGale in his last fight no matter the bogus result and should do the same to Cleverly, so Jack by TKO mid rounds. Jack

Alan J Kindred

Jack UD, I expect this to be an interesting fight, but I think in the end Jack’s superior boxing skill will carry the day for him and allow him to win a close decision. Cleverly is coming off of a decent win over Juergen Braehmer, but also a close loss to Andrzej Fonfara. He has been in too many wars and has been too inactive to be able to beat Jack in my view. Jack

Dennis Dodge

This could finally be Cleverly’s chance to step out of the shadows and show that he does deserve to be near the top of the pile. In Jack he’s facing a very durable opponent that has seemed to get better with each fight, he’s out for the title and nothing will stand in his way, but the quiet Welshman is very underrated in the skills department and I believe he will box to a Unanimous decision with the first 2 or 3 rounds going to Jack before Nathan takes over and wins the rest of the rounds (close but clear if that makes sense.) On such a huge card (it is no matter how much we don’t want to admit it) both men will showcase their abilities and I think it will open further doors for the pair. Cleverly

Steve Wellings

I’m a fan of Jack and think he’s better than people realise. I’m not sure Cleverly, for all of his activity and volume, is a big puncher either and can see him struggling late on with the consistency of output from the Swede. A points win for Jack on my reckoning. Jack

Fans Predictions

Vincent Cleverly, Facebook, and Nathan Cleverly’s dad and former trainer

The fight with Nathan and Jacks. I have seen Nathan Spar many rounds with Groves and DeGeale and on that knowledge alone I give Nathan a fantastic chance of the victory and to me, Nathan wins by late stoppage. The points win will be very difficult for our boy to achieve in the Lions Den. Cleverly

Derek Edward, Facebook, and boxer who defeated Badou Jack

Badou will get a solid decision. Has better movement and “flavor” to outskill/score Cleverly. Jack

Gerald, KO Boxing Forum

Cleverly vs Jack – Cleverly’s handspeed and activity give Jack all sorts of problem in what becomes a highly competitive and exciting contest. In the end Jack’s discipline, technique and toughness begins to tell over Cleverly’s workrate as too much of Cleverly’s work fails to penetrate Jack’s defence and he starts to pick off Cleverly with sharp counters when he stays in the pocket too long. An entertaining scrap that finishes with a Jack UD that’s wider than it should be given the back and forth in the action – Jack UD. Jack

Ciaran Gibbons, Facebook

If Cleverly boxes, uses his brain & picks his moment when to fight can wins on points but has to make it clear cut because he won’t get any favours in Las Vegas fighting a Mayweather promoted boxer. If however, he decides to fight in his usual flat out all-out assault style, Jack picks him off takes over in the 2nd half of the fight & Cleverly loses on points. Key for Cleverly is to put thought into his work. Cleverly

Robprosser, KO Boxing Forum

Cleverly’s problem is that he thinks he’s a big puncher. His tactics against Kovalev? Walk right into him and try and out punch him. He gets hit far more than someone with his speed and range should and that will be his undoing against Jack as well. Barring injury it’ll go to the cards and there’s no way Jack will lose on points on Floyd promoted bill. Jack

Dave Roberts, Facebook

Badou Jack will have too much for him and outpoint him, also think it’ll be a bore fest. Jack

Jon Harrison, Facebook

Cleverly TKO. The jump in weight could prove a problem for Jack. Will be a good test for both though in my opinion Cleverly wins. Cleverly

Daniel Ciminera, Facebook

Cleverly hasn’t been the same since he fought Mohammedi all that time ago. He was better as a part timer. He’s lost whatever had him winning at that time, and it’s not coming back. He just isn’t a world level fighter anymore. Added to that Jack’s hungry and comes with decent work rate and power, cleverly shouldn’t be anything more than rounds in the bank for him. Jack

Jason Whitaker, Facebook

A lot of unknowns in this one, but I’m leaning towards Cleverly to outwork Jack over 12, a draw also looks good. Cleverly

Adrian Woodmore, Facebook

I’m not convinced with Cleverly. He was a weak World Champion, decent enough boxer to beat many and he kept Kovalev off him to start with but when it gets rough his boxing goes out the window and he struggles and Jack is a rough fighter. I see Jack winning this by stoppage. Jack

Jeff Thomas, Facebook

Jack will be too much for him. He’ll out work Cleverly and stop him late. Jack

Ronan P Smith‏, Twitter

Always been a fan of Cleverly but was outclassed by Braehmer. I see a comfortable win for Jack, maybe even late stoppage. Really hope I’m wrong though. Jack

Ethan Jay Hanly, Facebook

Badou Jack convincing by UD, Jack is all wrong for Cleverly, Cleverly is very open defensively, Jack is relentless and very accurate, I’d go for a Jack stoppage but it’s his first fight at LHW, so I don’t know how the power will carry, he was never a real concussive puncher at SMW, also cleverly has a decent chin. Jack

Craig Minter, Facebook

Badou Jack UD. I think he’ll dominate early and Cleverly will have too much to get back causing him to be reckless. Jack

Matt Smith, Facebook

Badou Jack by UD he’s a scoring fighter and Cleverly’s style matches perfectly for an easy points fest. Jack

Remco De Jong, Facebook

I’m probably going to score this a MD for Cleverly. Cleverly

Mr boxingfan236, Twitter

Jack by late stoppage. Possibly Cleverly’s last fight. Jack

Israel RG‏, Twitter

Badou Jack by UD (easy). Jack

Richard Lewis, Facebook

I think Jack wins a close points decision. Jack

Michael Ward, Facebook

Being unbiased I still like Cleverly in this fight. I hope he can keep it at range, and use his excellent jab. Degale lost his concentration I felt against Jack. Cleverly

Liam Farrell, Facebook

Jack maybe late stoppage, but a win no doubt. Hope I’m wrong though Let’s go Cleverly!. Jack

John Einreinhofer, Facebook

Jack wins. Cleverly’ loss to Fonfara is looking weak right now and Braehmer is barely favoured over Rob Brant. But Jack is ordinary. Jack

Kent Ares, Facebook

Jack’s boxing ability is several levels above Cleverly. He proved it against DeGale. Can’t see how it wouldn’t be a bigger factor against a lesser skilled fighter. Jack wins a wide decision. Jack

Shaun Keenan, Facebook

Nathan will work him down take, him into the trenches, and the referee will stop fight in the later rounds after bombardment of punches. Welsh Warrior, Team Cleverly all the way. Cleverly

Mark Poole, Facebook

Cleverly can box and there’s not many who will out work him. I just don’t see a wide decision either way. Still, fancy a Cleverly win but he always takes the hard route. Cleverly

Michał Jurczyk, Facebook

Jack wins. He has the better skills and keeps improving in each fight. He also is the Mayweather promotions fighter, so Cleverly would need to win this clear to get judges sympathies. Be as it may, I like Jack 9-3 in this one. Jack

Predictions Summary:

Ringnews24 Writers: Cleverly 5 Jack 7
Facebook, Twitter, and Ringnews24 Forum: Cleverly 8 Jack 18
Total: Cleverly 13 Jack 25