Cheavon ‘Chev’ Clarke (7-0, 5 KO’s) gets his 2024 campaign underway in ambitious fashion this weekend when he travels to Belfast to fight former European champion Tommy McCarthy (20-5, 10 KO’s).
Clarke boxed three times last year, improving with each outing. His explosive style hinting that he may develop into an interesting and exciting edition to the world cruiserweight scene.
“I think what I can take from last year is that I progressed. I fought some good opponents, came through and showed glimpses of what the full article could be and will be,” Clarke said on Matchroom’s Behind Closed Doors show.
The fight was put together on comparatively short notice but, at 33 years old, Clarke wants to move quickly and McCarthy needs a shortcut back into title contention. It is the ideal fight for both.
Clarke has had just seven professional fights but was a talented amateur who won a European silver medal and represented Team GB at the 2020 Olympic Games. McCarthy, also 33, has been a professional for almost a decade and only loses when he steps up to the highest level. He has lost twice to current WBO cruiserweight champion Chris Billam-Smith and was stopped by the WBO’s mandatory challenger Richard Riakporhe back in 2019. Last November he was stopped by Poland’s Michal Cieslak when attempting to regain his old European belt.
Clarke isn’t concerned by the past. He is only interested in the future.
“He’s a normal fighter and I’m gonna beat him,” the Londoner said.
“Regardless of what he’s done or what I’ve done, none of that really matters because it’s what happens in the moment and who’s prepared best on the night.
“I prepare well. I believe in my skill and ability. I know what I can do and what I will do. He’s in the way of progress and you can’t stop my progress.
“I can show you better than I can tell you,” said Clarke when asked what fans can expect. “I will win and by the end of it I’ll have a few more Irish fans. Stay tuned.”