Cleverly loses world light-heavyweight title to Kovalev inside four rounds

Britain's Nathan Cleverly has lost his WBO world light-heavyweight title to Russia's Sergey Kovalev inside four rounds as the referee called a halt after his opponent steamed in.

According to the Mirror, Cleverley lost his title in a sixth defence and was floored twice in the third round before being stopped on wobbly legs early in the fourth by the Russian.

Cleverly's record now stands at 26-1 (12 KO wins) while fearsome Kovalev moves to 22-0-1 (20KOs), the report said.