Welshman Nathan Cleverly insists that Badou Jack’s inexperience at light-heavyweight will be the undoing for his opponent come Saturday night.

WBA ‘regular’ champion Cleverly makes the first defence of his belt this weekend on the Floyd Mayweather-Conor McGregor undercard against the Sweedish born Badou Jack, nick named “Jack The Ripper” who is stepping in weight after coming off a recent draw to North West Londoner James Degale.

Jack, who previously reigned as a WBC super-middleweight title-holder is now moving up to Light Heavyweight for the first time, the 33 year old may be confident but facing an established light-heavyweight in Cleverly on the world stage will be no easy task.

Cleverly has been quoted as saying “He’s an established world-class fighter, He does the basics very well. He’s very solid on the world stage”

“But he’s moving into the light-heavyweight division now. He says he’ll have more energy and be stronger, and possibly so. He may feel invigorated at the new weight. But he’s coming up against an established light-heavyweight on the world stage. This is my eighth world title fight.

“He’s going to see the difference at some point. It’s going to pay dividends.

“I’m going to deal with him in a good fashion. I believe this fight is a good fight for me to move onto the elite level. This is a world class fight but the winner can move onto the elite level.

“I’ll have too much for Badou Jack. I believe I’ll out-box him and have too many ring smarts, and win a convincing decision.”

Cleverly won the WBA ‘regular’ title in his last fight against Juergen Braehmer after forcing the German to quit in his corner, while Jack is coming off a disputed draw in a super-middleweight title unification with James DeGale.

Watch Cleverly vs Jack on the Mayweather vs McGregor undercard, from the T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, from midnight August 26, live on Sky Sports Box Office.

Written By Kenny Leavett