Another one bites the dust - Clev's Euro tilt off

British and Commonwealth light-heavyweight champion Nathan Cleverly is an angry man after Italy's Antonio Brancalion pulled out of their proposed European title fight.

All systems were go for a trip to Italy after the champ's camp won purse bids for the fight.

"I sacrificed my Christmas for this joker," Cleverly told PA.

"It's obvious that Brancalion is running scared, and his team are doing everything they can to make sure this fight doesn't happen."

That hasn't stopped the 22-year-old Welsh maths student from chasing the retreating Italian.

"Hopefully the fight will take place over here, but I'm mad at Brancalion and I'm going to teach him a lesson if he finally has enough bottle to face me.

"I'll give him a beating far worse than the one Silvio Berlusconi got recently when I finally get my hands on him.

"I want the European title to add to my British and Commonwealth crowns, so hopefully this fight comes off," said the Welshman, unbeaten in 18 fights.

"But if it doesn't I might just go straight after a world title instead. I'm ready to make the step up and be let off the leash."