HEARTBROKEN Nathan Cleverly has lifted the lid on his anguish at missing out on a chance to win the WBO light heavyweight title at a packed O2 Arena.

The Cefn Fforest fighter had been set to meet champion Juergen Braehmer, but the German pulled out yesterday citing an eye injury.

Promoter Frank Warren was in discussions with the WBO late last night, demanding they strip Braehmer of his title and award it to interim champion Cleverly.

The German has defended his title once since winning it in 2009 and has previously pulled out of proposed fights with the unbeaten Welshman.

At the time of going to press it was still hoped that Saturday’s fight would be for the world title, only with Cleverly making his first defence, with England’s Tony Bellew the front runner.

The late withdrawal was bad enough but Warren was left fuming as the fighter twice didn’t take flights he was booked on – from Hamburg to Heathrow – despite assurances from Braehmer’s camp that he would.

They cancelled his hotel booking before informing Warren and also made no mention of an eye injury in a medical report submitted three days ago that was requested by Warren for insurance purposes. Warren initially found out of the news via internet reports.

Speaking exclusively to the Argus Cleverly explained: “Yesterday was absolutely brutal, a crazy day and a crazy situation, even though sadly I am not 100% surprised.

“I got a call to say he was AWOL, hadn’t made his flight, when I was on the way to London for the press commitments we both had.

“I was never 100% certain he wanted the fight but thought surely he’s not going to pull out now, so close to fight night. I’ve been building to this moment for 14 years, and I am massively disappointed. I felt certain I would beat him and now my destiny has been snatched away from me.

“It’s tough to take, but I just have to relax and refocus and wait for news.”

Cleverly is desperate to give his supporters value for money and is not only hoping Braehmer is stripped of the title.

“It won’t be great for the fans if I win the title by default and then can’t defend it, the best solution is me defending it against a good, strong challenger,” he said. “I don’t duck anyone and even though I’ve prepared for weeks for a southpaw, I still hope that it’s a world title fight. I won’t duck that challenge if it is still an option.

"I knew he was a temperamental character and had a feeling he wouldn't turn up," Cleverly said.

"I can't understand the mentality. He's taken the easy route and decided not to fight me, and it's so frustrating. He's let everyone down."

Promoter Warren pulled no punches and admitted his fury at the German.

“What we believe will happen – we’re just waiting for official confirmation – is that Nathan will be declared champion and we’re looking for an opponent for him to defend against on Saturday,’’ said the promoter.

“We hope we will have a name. We are talking to a few fighters who have got good records and are ranked. It’s just a matter of trying to agree terms with one of them. We received a medical from him two days ago and he didn’t have a cut eye two days ago, yet I think it was the German newspaper Bild who said it’s a cut that is one and a half weeks old and has opened up again. Well, it’s not in his medical. It’s disgraceful, what’s happened here. It really is the bad side of the sport.

“At the moment all I want is the WBO to strip this guy, because it’s not the first time he’s done this. He has a track record for it. He’s a let-down…he’s nuts.”