Cleverly plotting a world title shot; Welsh champion looking past Fry.

Byline: NICK PEET 

NATHAN CLEVERLY insists he is destined one day to become champion of the world.

The Welshman will defend his British and Commonwealth light-heavyweight titles on Friday when he faces 34-year-old adopted Scouser Courtney Fry at London's York Hall.

The 22-year-old is undefeated in 17 fights and believes Fry's challenge is little more than a stepping stone to the next level.

"I can definitely be world champion with the way it is going at the moment," said Cleverly, who is also a maths student at Cardiff University.

"I have the British title, Commonwealth title, next will be the European title, so it's all destined for me to one day become world champion.

"We are looking at a world title when I graduate next year so the timing will be spot on then really."

It was confirmed yesterday that the winner of Friday's double domestic title tussle will fight for the vacant European belt in December.

But clearly it's Cleverly not Fry who is expected to make that step.

When asked about the future yesterday, Cleverly insisted that he will not buckle under the pressure despite the added incentive of a potential shot at the European title.

"I like winning fights so it will be another scalp for me to put on my belt and, if I win this, I'll be fighting for the European title come December so it's a massive fight," he said "That puts me under a little more pressure but that's okay. I like that. The more pressure I have the better, it brings out the best in me so it's a bonus really."

The Cefn Fforest fighter played down suggestions he will be looking to follow in the footsteps of Joe Calzaghe, with whom he used to spar before the undefeated world champion split with promoter Frank Warren.

"People are saying that I'm the next Joe Calzaghe," he said.

"That's brilliant to have those plaudits but I want to carve out a legacy of my own."

CAPTION(S):

WORLD DREAM: British champion Nathan Cleverly