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Maths student is boxing clever Maths student is boxing clever
(about 15 hours later)
Covering all the angles - Nathan Cleverly with his belt outside Cardiff University Kevin Leonard BBC Wales news website A newly-crowned boxing champion will face the challenge of his life next year - trying to secure a mathematics degree.Covering all the angles - Nathan Cleverly with his belt outside Cardiff University Kevin Leonard BBC Wales news website A newly-crowned boxing champion will face the challenge of his life next year - trying to secure a mathematics degree.
Nathan Cleverly, from New Tredegar in Caerphilly county, has just won the Commonwealth light heavyweight title after a gruelling 12-round fight.Nathan Cleverly, from New Tredegar in Caerphilly county, has just won the Commonwealth light heavyweight title after a gruelling 12-round fight.
But the 21-year-old is also studying maths and will sit his final exams at Cardiff University next year.But the 21-year-old is also studying maths and will sit his final exams at Cardiff University next year.
The former Blackwood Comprehensive School pupil, dubbed Nathan 'Clever Boy' Cleverly, is coping well with combining his training schedule and the demands of statistics, equations and algebra. The former Blackwood Comprehensive School pupil, dubbed Nathan "Clever Boy" Cleverly, is coping well with combining his training schedule and the demands of statistics, equations and algebra.
"They are so different. I've got the mental side with the maths and the physical side with the boxing," he said."They are so different. I've got the mental side with the maths and the physical side with the boxing," he said.
"Sometimes it can give me a break from each. It's a good balance."Sometimes it can give me a break from each. It's a good balance.
I'm returning from the boxing ring with cuts and they're returning from the library with books! Nathan CleverlyI'm returning from the boxing ring with cuts and they're returning from the library with books! Nathan Cleverly
"I sacrifice a lot of the nightlife for my training but after the fight I can relax and have a few student nights and catch up.""I sacrifice a lot of the nightlife for my training but after the fight I can relax and have a few student nights and catch up."
Despite his 100% professional record of 13 victories, many of his fellow students were unaware of his double life.Despite his 100% professional record of 13 victories, many of his fellow students were unaware of his double life.
"I kept it pretty low key," he said."I kept it pretty low key," he said.
"It's only up until this fight really when the cameras started coming into lectures and they all knew then."It's only up until this fight really when the cameras started coming into lectures and they all knew then.
"I'm returning from the boxing ring with cuts and they're returning from the library with books!""I'm returning from the boxing ring with cuts and they're returning from the library with books!"
Cleverly, who achieved an 'A' grade at A-level maths, said the degree course, particularly the social side, had helped him to cope with the rigours of training up to six days a week. Cleverly, who achieved an A grade at A-level maths, said the degree course, particularly the social side, had helped him to cope with the rigours of training up to six days a week.
He admitted his course could be "mind boggling" but his tutors were supportive, giving him permission to take a gap year recently to allow him to concentrate on his boxing. CLEVERLY FACTS Date of birth: 17 February, 1987Height: 6ft 2.5ins (189cms)Weight: 12st 10lbs (80.7kgs)Former school: Blackwood ComprehensiveFavourite boxers: Oscar de la Hoya and Joe CalzagheFavourite mathematician: PythagorasFavourite other sport: FootballFavourite football team: LiverpoolFavourite pastime: PokerOther sporting honours: Welsh under-15 cross-country champion He admitted his course could be "mind boggling" but his tutors were supportive, giving him permission to take a gap year recently to allow him to concentrate on his boxing. CLEVERLY FACTS Date of birth: 17 February, 1987Height: 6ft 2.5in (189cms)Weight: 12st 10lb (80.7kg)Former school: Blackwood ComprehensiveFavourite boxers: Oscar de la Hoya and Joe CalzagheFavourite mathematician: PythagorasFavourite other sport: FootballFavourite football team: LiverpoolFavourite pastime: PokerOther sporting honours: Welsh under-15 cross-country champion
"My desire is all in boxing really," he said."My desire is all in boxing really," he said.
"That's where I see myself after my degree but I've come so far with my maths, it would be a shame to let the last year go."That's where I see myself after my degree but I've come so far with my maths, it would be a shame to let the last year go.
"It's not the easiest subject to enjoy but you find a way to learn to enjoy it.""It's not the easiest subject to enjoy but you find a way to learn to enjoy it."
He admitted if it was not for boxing, he could have imagined using his degree to get a job perhaps in finance or accounting.He admitted if it was not for boxing, he could have imagined using his degree to get a job perhaps in finance or accounting.
His father Vince, who trains him in Bargoed, and his mother Jackie are both equally as proud of his academic achievements as his boxing success.His father Vince, who trains him in Bargoed, and his mother Jackie are both equally as proud of his academic achievements as his boxing success.
And perhaps surprisingly, many people within the boxing world have also advised him to complete his studies.And perhaps surprisingly, many people within the boxing world have also advised him to complete his studies.
"People who know the game inside out tell you 'don't let your degree go, don't let your studies go'", he said. "People who know the game inside out tell you 'don't let your degree go, don't let your studies go,' " he said.
"People have a lot more respect when they see you doing stuff outside boxing.""People have a lot more respect when they see you doing stuff outside boxing."
But boxing is where Cleverly's ambitions lie and he is, in his own words, "reaching for the sky".But boxing is where Cleverly's ambitions lie and he is, in his own words, "reaching for the sky".
"That's been my ambition since I was a little kid setting foot in the boxing gym," he said."That's been my ambition since I was a little kid setting foot in the boxing gym," he said.
"I wanted to be the best at something and I chose boxing because it was the field I was best at."I wanted to be the best at something and I chose boxing because it was the field I was best at.
"World champion - that's what I'm setting out to be.""World champion - that's what I'm setting out to be."