Cleary: Danny could be a world champ!

Cleary and Quartermaine after taking the IBF belt

TRAINER Edwin Cleary strongly believes he may have a future world champ in Danny Quartermaine.

The Leamington super-feather, a bundle of fighting fury in the ring, attempts to edge closer to that goal on GBM’s huge, title laden show at the Skydome Arena, Coventry, on June 29.

He puts his IBF European title on the line against Frenchman Karim Guerfi, with the WBO European belt also up for grabs.

It’s a decent test, although Guerfi, at 37, may have seen better days. He’s won 32 of 39, but come a cropper against other decent British lads.

Michael Conlan stopped him in Belfast and, with the EBU featherweight title on the line, Jordan Gill sparked him out in nine.

In fairness, Guerfi gave Gill one hell of a scrap. He dropped the favourite in the seventh and seemed on the verge of victory before Gill uncorked one mighty right hand.

In Quartermaine, Guerfi will face a boxer who looks something special. The 26-year-old is unbeaten in 11 and last time out took the IBF crown by forcing Alex Rat to retire.

Nicknamed “The Hurricane”, the man is a ring whirlwind. GBM, who now promote the prospect, appear to have made a very wise signing.

His style is exciting, he has the looks and is a major ticketseller. What’s not to like?

“Guerfi is a step up for Danny and a step in the right direction,” said Cleary. “He’s a step up from Alex Rat. You’ve said in the past some of Danny’s opponents lacked ambition, but he’s making these guys look bad.

“I’m excited – everything is moving in the right direction. Danny always trains hard, but the tougher the fight the harder he trains. He always does a little bit more, he’s just doing that tiny bit extra.

“And with that belt round his waist, he’s a different person. He is punching so hard now, he has a great engine and he always tries to box in the gym.

“When he first turned pro, I thought he could be British champion, maybe a legitimate European champion.

“I think now, if he beats this guy the way he beat Rat, there is an unbelievable chance Danny can win a world title.”

And Cleary, who fought as a pro under Brendan Ingle, is full of praise for GBM, a new promotional outfit with lofty ambitions.

He added: “I haven’t a bad word to say about GBM. Look at the (Skydome) bill – it’s a big show. Why they haven’t got TV is beyond me. What they put on is above first class.”