Quartermaine given a tougher title test

Quartermaine and Cleary after the European title victoru

THERE may be a new opponent for Danny Quartermaine on GBM’s bumper Coventry bill this Saturday, but the script remains the same, trainer Edwin Cleary stressed.

The unbeaten Leamington “Hurricane” found out on Tuesday he’ll be defending his IBF super-featherweight title against rugged Romanian James Cherefi, with the WBO belt also on the line. Original challenger Karim Guerfi, from France, has been forced to withdraw with a shoulder injury.

On paper, his replacement at the Skydome looks a tougher proposition for Leamington Spa’s Quartermaine.

Cherefi is a former quality amateur who has won 20 of 24 bouts as a pro, eight by stoppage. He’s used to travelling for a payday, having boxed in Germany, where he is now based, Uzbekistan, Kosovo, Spain and Australia.

The 30-year-old has faced very good men, mixed in world class and been stopped only once: Big Aussie hope Liam Paro, unbeaten in 25, halted Cherefi in eight rounds four years ago.

He’s aggressive and hungry. Danny won’t have to come looking for him.

Former pro Cleary said Quartermaine’s game plan remains the same, despite the late switch. Danny, unbeaten in 11, will apply his trademark relentless pressure and target the body.

“He (Cherefi) is there to be hit and hit back,” said Edwin. “That means it has the makings for an exciting fight.

“I think it’s a tougher test, I think it could be a good old barnstormer.”

It does look a much better fight for fans. And the bottom line is this: if 26-year-old Quartermaine is as good as so many in the game believe he is, then Cherefi is in for a painful night.

Of all Quartermaine’s previous opponents, this is the one who will tell us what Danny has in his locker.

For Cleary, it’s all about victory. A spectacular performance is a bonus, but the bottom line is victory.

“Just the win,” he said. “If I could pick a way it would be a ninth or 10th round stoppage to get the rounds in. A unanimous decision would be fantastic.

“If Danny does what he’s done in the gym, the performance will be there, anyway. I’m not worried about the change of opponent, we’ve worked on a lot of things in the gym. In sparring, he spends a lot of time on the backfoot. After his last fight, someone told me, ‘I didn’t know Danny could box’.

“Danny has done all the work, now it’s rest and recovery.”

Cleary believes Quartermaine is the complete packaging. The only thing missing is experience over the championship distance – Danny has yet to complete eight rounds – and old-fashioned “seasoning”.

“I think he’s ahead of himself,” the trainer added. “All I want from Danny is the rounds. That is my only concern and it’s only a concern because he hasn’t done eight, nine, 10 rounds yet, although he does it in the gym.”

I have to hand it to new promoters GBM. When opponents have pulled out of Saturday’s show, better ones have been found.

For Quartermaine fans, a good title fight has turned into a cracker.