FRANK Warren is in discussion
with the WBO after they refused to sanction boxer Nathan Cleverly’s proposed
world title defence against Robin Krasniqi.
It was announced this morning that
Cleverly would put his WBO light-heavyweight belt on the line against
the Germany-based Serbian at the Royal Albert Hall on 28 April. But the
WBO president Francisco Valcarcel reacted swiftly by claiming that,
having beaten Tommy Karpency last month, Cleverly must now face a
mandatory opponent.
“Francisco Valcarcel commented that the bout
between Nathan Cleverly and Robin Krasniqi can’t and won’t be
sanctioned,” read a statement. “Nathan Cleverly’s fight with Karpency
was sanctioned with the provision that the winner meet his mandatory
opponent 120 days from the day of the bout.” A spokesman for
Warren confirmed the promoter is in talks with the WBO in the hope of
resolving the impasse. Earlier, Cleverly had spoken of the challenge
posed by little-known Krasniqi and his delight at the prospect of boxing
at the Royal Albert Hall.