Cleverly to get back on KO boxing bandwagon against Karpency

Nathan Cleverly is not particularly known for his KO power, but 8/15 looks decent value in the boxing odds that he can retain his WBO light-heavyweight title with a stoppage victory over Tommy Karpency.

Cleverly will be eager to put on a show in front of his home fans in Cardiff after making unexpected hard work of Tony Bellew in his latest fight, albeit that he stepped into the ring with a relatively serious rib injury.

He should have just the opponent to make a statement, with American Karpency hardly having the resume to be deemed worthy of a world title shot and having been out of the ring for a year.

Karpency may not have been stopped in either if his two defeats from 24 fights, but many of his bouts have been against practical no-hopers, who have largely struggled to win as many fights as they have lost.

The most interesting battle could prove the one that he lost on points in May 2010 with Karo Murat.

Murat can hardly be classified as a big puncher but had Karpency down in the second round before eventually winning by decision.

In September of the same year, Cleverly stopped Murat in ten rounds and despite criticism of his power, only two of his last ten fights have gone the distance.

It may take a flurry of punches rather than one clean shot for Cleverly to seal victory before the final bell, but he is almost certain to go on the front foot given his aspirations to unify the light-heavyweight division.

Alternatively, punters would be better backing both Cleverly to win by KO and taking the 7/4 that he wins on points, rather than accepting the 1/25 in the boxing odds that he simply triumphs in the fight.