Nathan Cleverly vs Antonio Brancalion © AFP

New light heavyweight force Nathan Cleverly (19-0, 9 KOs) successfully performed a move from the British intrinsic scene onto the European level following a dominating fifth-round TKO over Italian veteran Antonio Brancalion (32-8-2, 8 KOs). After a tedious starting stanza 22-year old Welshman (WBO #2, IBF #3, WBC #5 and WBA #12) began to slowly break the Italian down. Round three was huge for Cleverly, who in full accordance to his surname smartly mixed body punches with head blows. The unbeaten contender finally floored Brancalion down at the end of round four after a smashing right cross. In round five Cleverly went in for kill and tagged hapless Brancalion several times before referee Jean-Louis Legland stepped in at 1:15 to save Italian from further punishment. With the win Cleverly acquired a vacant EBU light heavyweight title.

WBO #1 Kevin Mitchell (31-0, 23 KOs) proved once again he is a real threat for every elite lightweight in the world after a chilling knockout of Spain-based Columbian Ignacio “Nacho” Medoza (27-6-2, 18 KOs). Mitchell, who has recently entered 135lb with an impressive decision over Breidis “Khanqueror” Prescott, calculated raw Mendoza in the first and showcased his killing power in the second. Kevin (also IBF #3 at 130lb) waited until Medoza would open up and caught him with a thunderous short right hook and ended the job with a left hook to already falling Columbian. Mendoza was unable to beat the count of ten and the fight was waved off at 1:24 of the second round. Both Mitchell and Frank Warren called for the WBO Interim lightweight champion Michael Katsidis during their post-fight interview. Amir Khan can be Mitchell’s ultimate goal, according to his own words.

In a British heavyweight eliminator, hard-hitting stylist Derek Chisora improved his record to 12-0, with 7 KOs, after the second-round stoppage of latest Prizefighter semifinalist Carl Baker (9-5, 6 KOs).

Hot British prospect and former amateur world champion Frankie Gavin (6-0,5 KOs) was forced to gp the distance for the first time in his career but passed his toughest test to date with excellence. Tough and durable “Irish” Peter McDonagh (14-16, 2 KOs), whose subpar record speaks nothing about his abilities, moved forward and threw wide overhand rights to bother southpaw Gavin but to no success, failing to cope with Frankie’s hand speed and elusiveness. Gavin used his left uppercut to tag McDonagh, who is best known for his stoppage win over Michael Gomez, timan and time again. After six rounds referee Jeff Hines and Fightnews both saw it lopsidedly 60-54 – for the young Brit.

Beijing Olympic gold medalist James DeGale (6-0, 4 KOs) didn’t leave his shaky opponent Matthew Barr (14-6, 6 KOs) a single chance. After some bravado in the first, DeGale went right after Barr, who has lost all of his previous fights inside the distance, and floored him with the overhand right on Barr’s way in. Matthew got up and even landed some telling blows but was decked with the same punch once again moments later. He rose on wobbly legs only to be knocked down again and prompting referee to stop the contest at 1:38 of the second round.

Undercard results:
Jamie Cox (14-0, 8 KOs) PTS 8 Michael Frontin (2-7-1)
Ryan Walsh (9-0, 3 KOs) PTS 6 Ian Bailey (5-4)
Liam Walsh (7-0, 6 KOs) TKO 3 Sid Razak (4-41, 1 KO)