OSCAR DE LA HOYA wants Bernard Hopkins to face Nathan Cleverly in Britain next year.

The President of Golden Boy Promotions met Cleverly for the first time yesterday at an outdoor press conference at the Staples Center.

WBO World Light-Heavyweight champion Cleverly impressed the US media when he discussed Saturday’s fourth title defence against Shawn Hawk at the world famous Los Angeles venue.

De La Hoya said: “What is very possible is Bernard Hopkins going to Britain to box Nathan.

“We feel that the UK fans are some of the most passionate and knowledgeable in the world when it comes to boxing.

“A lot of fighters in the United States are now realising they should go overseas and challenge the best.”

Chad Dawson holds the WBC 175lb crown, Beibut Shumenov is WBA title holder and Tavoris Cloud is IBF champion.

But six-weight world champion, Oscar believes that the undefeated Welshman has the ability to top the lot.

He added: “Nathan can go far. He is a fan friendly fighter

“He has a great promoter in Frank Warren.  Along with Frank we can come up with the big American fights and bring in the people.

“But, ultimately it is up to what Nathan does in the ring. It is in his hands whether he wants to make a big splash or not.

“As long as you can match him up with the right fighters there is no limit to how far he can go

“Nathan is that he a strong puncher, but he has good speed. That makes for a dangerous boxer-puncher – that is what I was.

“He looks motivated, ready to go but he has very tough fight against Hawk.  It will be compelling viewing.”

Cleverly v Hawk will be shown live on BoxNation (Sky Ch. 437/Virgin Ch. 546) from 1am Sunday. Join at boxnation.com

GROVES: CLEVERLY CAN BE A SMASH IN THE US

George Groves has backed Nathan Cleverly to be a hit in America this weekend.

The Commonwealth Super-Middleweight Champion impressed US fight fans in July this year when he stopped tough Mexican Francisco Sierra in San Jose, California, in a bloody battle.

Welshman Cleverly defends his WBO World Light-Heavyweight title this Saturday night just down the west coast in Los Angeles at the world famous Staples Centre against Shawn Hawk, live and exclusive on BoxNation.

Groves says he's got to show the Americans that he means business and he'll get the support from the fans.

"The Americans will fall in love with Cleverly if he goes out there and gives them a good show and goes in the ring and has a fight," Said Groves.

"When I fought in July I had a hard Mexican in front of me and I got cut above my eye, but that just made me fight harder and I gave it my all which the fans really appreciated,"

"The guy Cleverly is fighting, Shawn Hawk, is an American-Indian and I'm sure he won't want to lose in front of his home fans,”

"Cleverly won't have a problem out there, he's got an exciting style, he's aggressive and throws plenty of punches and sometimes lets his heart rule his head to stand and trade, I'm sure the Americans will really take to him,"

The undefeated Hammersmith southpaw, who defends his title against American 'Road Warrior' Glen Johnson on December 15th at the ExCeL London, has knocked up plenty of rounds sparring with Cleverly and says he’s the real deal.

Groves added, "We've done quite a few rounds in the past and I think his strengths are his high work-rate, strength, stamina and accuracy,"

"It can be quite overwhelming when you're in the ring with him and these punches are flying in at high speed which opponents find hard to deal with.  He's also a good all-rounder and can change and adapt to styles in the ring,"

“He’s developing into a good champion and I’d like to see him against one of the other champions like Tavoris Cloud or Chad Dawson next year to prove his true calibre,”

"I'll be watching him on BoxNation and will be backing him to retain his title in style."

HOBOKEN, N.J. (November 8, 2012) -- International Boxing Federation (IBF) super middleweight champion Carl "The Cobra" Froch (29-2, 21 KOs) defends his title Saturday, November 17 against American challenger Yusaf Mack (31-4, 17 KOs),headlining the"True Brit" event, which will air in the United States live from Capital FM Arena in Nottingham, United Kingdom.

"True Brit," presented by Matchroom Boxing, will be distributed in the United States by Integrated Sports Media for live viewing at 3:00 PM/ET - 12:00 PM/PT on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, DIRECTV, DISH Network and Avail-TVN for a suggested retail price of only $29.95.

"True Brit" will also be available to view via Fight Now TV, America's only 24-hour combat sports and entertainment channel, on Cablevision channel 464 as part of the iO Gold package.

Froch graciously answered a series of questions about Saturday's fight against Mack:

Q. You've made many fans in the states over the past few years. How does it feel to have this fight airing live in the states?

Froch: "It's always fantastic to be boxing on US TV. I've boxed in the States four times and I've always enjoyed myself there. My training camp was in Manhattan (New York City) before the Andre Ward fight. It was tough there because it was getting close to Christmas and it was insanely busy, but my morning run was always great, taking in the New York skyline as I was pounding the streets - incredible.

"I've always been well received by American boxing fans. They really know their stuff. I think that they appreciate that I am a good, honest fighter who never backs away from a challenge and always wants to fight the best. Too many fighters try to coast through their careers and don't test themselves, so I'm glad I've had those fights in the States and they were great experiences. And there's a good chance that there's still a big fight for me over in America before I hang up the gloves."

Q. You've had an unprecedented run against many of the world's top fighters, starting with Pascal through your last against Bute. Can you remain as "up" fighting Mack who doesn't have the same credentials as your last 8 opponents, particularly with a Bute rematch already slated?

Froch: "Absolutely. At this level, and as a World champion, there's no second in a fight that you can let your guard down and you have to be at 100 percent. I have prepared as hard for this fight as I did for the previous eight world title fights, for my British title fights, for my Commonwealth title fights and for my debut back in 2002.

"If I come unstuck in this fight then everything I have achieved over the last few years will go to waste. People ask me about Lucian Bute, Andre Ward and Mikkel Kessler fights, so I answer their questions. It's only natural for them to ask; they are fights people want to see, but believe me, I only have Yusaf Mack on my mind."

Q. Does Mack remind you of any fighter you've already fought? What are his strengths?

Froch: "The best thing about this fight is that Yusaf is like nothing I've ever fought before and that's what sport should be - a fresh challenge every time. He's a natural light heavyweight who is dropping down, so he's a puncher but also a nice boxer and a mover, too. You don't get World title shots for no reason. He can more than handle himself in the ring and I know that I have to be completely focused on the fight as this guy is dangerous and he wants to shock the world of boxing by taking my belt, in my hometown.

"So, I've got to give this guy respect and take him very seriously because this is his world title fight, and his big opportunity to come over here and cause an upset. I know that he's going to be training and running harder than ever for this. Whatever you've seen of him before, add 20 percent for this fight. I've got to be ready, and I will be."

Q. He has been fighting as a light heavyweight. Is there any concern on your part about Mack possibly being the stronger man?

Froch: "I am stronger than him, no question. I don't think there's a super middleweight out there in better shape than me, and there are some super-fit guys in this division. But I can honestly say I feel in incredible shape, fit as I've ever been, and I am convinced that he won't be able to match me for heart, punch power, desire and skill.

"He'll be bringing that light heavyweight power down to super middle though, I know that. I have to be watchful of him every second that he's in there. I have been sparring with Tony Bellew for this fight. He is a great sparring partner and a World champion in the making at light heavyweight. He has a tremendous dig on him and we have some great battles in sparring, so I don't have any issues with whatever Yusaf Mack is going to bring to the table."

Q. What type of fight do you expect this to be: war, chess match, etc.?

"I expect him to come at me with everything he's got as he has nothing to lose and everything to gain. He will have seen what I did to Lucian Bute. He knows that if I get into a rhythm, and get my shots off, it's goodnight. So, he'll be at me from the start, wanting to make an impression to get me on the back foot, and I'll be doing the same. It's going to be a ferocious pace and great to watch."

Q. Any prediction?

"I'm not one for picking a round, but I think that it's going to be a knockout night for me again in front of my home fans. Yusaf Mack has never been in an atmosphere like a sold-out Carl Froch show in Nottingham. The viewers are in for a real treat. When my fans get behind me, my punches are that much harder, and he'll be in real trouble on the night."

 Bellew (18-1, 12 KOs) faces South American champion Roberto Bolonti (30-1, 19 KOs) in the 12-round co-feature for the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) Silver light heavyweight championship and an official WBC eliminator.