Boxing: Braehmer stripped of title

BERLIN: Germany’s Jurgen Braehmer has been stripped of his world title after withdrawing from a defence with injury and Welsh fighter Nathan Cleverly has now been named WBO world light-heavyweight champion. The 32-year-old Braehmer was due to face Cleverly, 24, at London’s O2 Arena tomorrow, but a cut eye suffered in training 10 days ago failed to heal sufficiently, forcing him to call off the fight. But this was the third time he has pulled out of a fight just before defending his title because of illness or injury and the WBO have stripped him of his belt. The new Welsh champion, who is undefeated in 21 fights, will now defend his title against Britain’s Tony Bellew tomorrow.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 20^th, 2011.