Brook and Cleverly top list for young boxer of the year

The Times Ron Lewis13th August, 2009

Two British champions, Kell Brook and Nathan Cleverly (above), are favourites to become young boxer of the year after the shortlist of nominations was agreed. There are nine names on the list, but Brook and Cleverly, who were both narrowly beaten to the award last year by Paul Appleby, the former British featherweight champion, look the stand-outs.

Brook, 23, the British welterweight champion, has had three bouts in the past year, winning all three in inside three rounds, securing the Lonsdale Belt outright win a three-round stoppage of Michael Lomax in June.

Cleverly, 22, began last season with a wide points win over Tony Oakey to win the Commonwealth title, a belt he defended three times before adding the British title with a seven-round stoppage of Danny McIntosh in June.

Also on the list is highly touted heavyweight prospect Tyson Fury, who has won all his seven professional bout and challenges John McDermott for the English title in September. John O'Donnell, the Commonwealth welterweight champion, and a possible future opponent for Brook is also nominated.

The other names on the list are Olympic champion James DeGale, his old England amateur team-mates Frankie Gavin and Jamie Cox, as well as Gary Buckland and Danny Butler.

The award will be presented at the Millennium Hotel, Grosvenor Square, London, on October 19.

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