Cleverly set for first defence of European title

According to the EBU, Nathan Cleverly will make the first defence of his European light-heavyweight title against France’s Doudou Ngumbu at a venue to be confirmed in Britain on 10 July. Cleverly seized the vacant European title with an impressive fifth round stoppage over Italy’s Antonio Brancalion at Wembley Arena in February.

The Welshman is closing in on a world title challenge and could take on fellow unbeaten German Karo Murat in an eliminator for a tilt at WBO champ Jurgen Braehmer later this year, providing he overcomes Ngumbu who is currently ranked at 11 by the EBU.

Ngumbu, 20-2 (9), was born in the Republic of Congo but has fought almost exclusively in France. The challenger won his first 20 contests, the highlight being a seventh round stoppage against Seifudin Barakhoev to claim the WBC international strap in Russia in December 2008, but surprisingly earns this chance despite losing his last two.

The 28-year-old Ngumbu lost his WBC international crown after conceding a unanimous points reversal against Isaac Chilemba in South Africa last October. The Frenchman suffered his second straight defeat when dropping a questionable eight-round majority points verdict to Russian prospect Igor Mikhalkin in Germany in December and hasn’t fought since.