Cheavon Clarke vows ‘pain’ game with Leonardo Mosquea

Cheavon Clarke has vowed to “inflict pain” on Leonardo Mosquea when on Saturday they contest the vacant European cruiserweight title at Salle Des Étoiles at Sporting Monte-Carlo, Monaco.

Clarke, 33, and France’s 30-year-old Mosquea meet on the undercard of Murodjon Akhmadaliev-Ricardo Espinoza Franco, aware that victory could take them into contention to challenge for one of their competitive division’s world titles in 2025. 

“I ain’t here to laugh and joke,” Clarke said. “I just enjoy putting pain on people. I just want to inflict as much pain as possible. Come fight night it’s going to be something different. 

“You want to test yourself against the best there is to offer. The European belt is at stake. He’s a good operator –15-0 but he’s never faced Chev Clarke.

“An emphatic win. Chev Clarke – European champion. It was written. When I win the European title, it’s another achievement, and next year we’re just going to keep on pushing the boundaries.”

Clarke has so far won three from three in 2024, and he said: “It’s been a successful year. We levelled up and took the challenges that came. Tommy McCarthy, Belfast, knockout, job done. Ellis Zorro, Leeds, explosive, British title. Becoming British champion, I added my name to a list of classy, high achievers. I’m there on the list and my name can never be rubbed out now.

“Then we took it Stateside. Efetobar Apochi, US debut. This journey or any journey in life ain’t ever going to be plain sailing, and it’s what happens in those moments and how you handle it that determines the type of person you are and the type of results you get.

“Mosquea is another level up. Unfortunately, I’m going to have to bring violence to Monaco. You’ve always got to try and level up, and we’ve done that this camp. I’ll have another belt wrapped around my waist come fight night.”