Speaking on Wednesday amidst a public plea from Cleverly to be considered to face WBA light heavyweight champion Juergen Braehmer on March 12, Mendoza stated that Hearn is welcome to apply but may not get the answer he wants.
“I haven’t received any sanction request from Nathan Cleverly’s team for a fight with Juergen Braehmer. As Nathan Cleverly is coming from a loss, right now we would deny any sanction. Mendoza exclusively told World Boxing News.
“His team could apply, but as we know he lost in his last bout against Andrzej Fonfara meaning approval to fight Juergen Braehmer would be difficult for the World Boxing Association.”
Cleverly was due to face Braehmer back in 2011 when the German was forced to pull out of the WBO title clash just days prior to a meeting at the O2 Arena. The Welshman eventually went on to stop late replacement Aleksy Kuziemski in four rounds following UK rival Tony Bellew dropping out due to weight issues.
Braehmer’s original opponent Thomas Oosthuizen was pulled from the fight by his promoter Rodney Berman due to outside problems, although the 37 year-old title holder has no shortage of takers for the spring date.
