Cleverly targets world title tilt

Cleverly is now unbeaten in 17 professional fights

Nathan Cleverly is targeting a world title tilt after stopping Danny McIntosh to retain his Commonwealth light-heavyweight title.

The 22-year-old Welshman also took the vacant British title at London's York Hall, leaving him hungry for more big-fight success.

"I could defend my British belt three times to collect the Lonsdale belt outright," said Cleverly.

"If the world title comes in, there's potentially a world title opportunity."

Caerphilly-born Cleverly believes he may have that world title chance in his next bout or the fight after that.

"If that comes, in, then yes, I'm up for that. Yes, let's take the world title fight," he told BBC Radio Wales.

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Cleverly says the belief of pundits such as Barry McGuigan and Duke McKenzie in his potential to emulate some of Joe Calzaghe's success is also a boost.

He added: "There are a lot of people talking now, a lot of experts like Barry McGuigan, Duke Mckenzie - yeah, and even Joe himself - they all think I've got the potential to go all the way.

"But I don't want to get carried away with those statements and think I've cracked it because there's still a lot of work to be done.

"That [beating McIntosh] was a major stepping stone for me. The Commonwealth belt was a good stepping stone and to pick up the British as well, that's a major step again.

"I've got the Commonwealth belt and the British belt and it's all at 22 years of age so there's a lot of potential, a lot of maturing in me yet and there are a lot of big fights to come.

"I'm looking to go all the way and I want a legacy of my own to fulfil.

"This has been a major stepping stone for me."

Cleverly disposed of McIntosh in seven rounds to remain undefeated in his 17 fights.

He added: "I go into the boxing ring without a game plan. To be honest, I normally box on my instincts.

"But before this fight I said 'I'm going to go in, I'm going to put him on the back foot because I know he likes to bully an opponent' so I thought I'll put him on the back foot and that's what I did straight from the start."