NATHAN Cleverly has spoken of his frustration after seemingly being denied a world light-heavyweight title before Christmas, but he is hopeful of reaching his goal by May.

The 23-year-old Cefn Fforest fighter was optimistic he would be crowned WBO world light-heavyweight champion after last weekend’s interim title win over France’s Nadjib Mohammedi.

Cleverly was confident he would be on top of the world should reigning title-holder Juergen Braehmer be sent to prison this week.

The 32-year-old loses his title if he goes into custody.

But the Gwent boxer has discovered the German’s appeal against his 16-month prison sentence for assault and insulting behaviour, imposed in January, could take three years.

Cleverly hopes to face in the first half of 2011 the winner of next month’s fight between WBO champion Braeh-mer and WBA and IBA champ Beibut Shumenov.

The pair clash for a unification showdown in Shumenov’s native Kazakhstan on January 8.

Speaking to the Argus yesterday, Cleverly, who looks a great bet to become Wales’ 11th world boxing champion, had mixed emotions about Braehmer’s lengthy appeal process.

He has said he would like to become world champion in the ring but admitted he was still disappointed.

“I’ve found out that Braehmer’s appeal process could take three years,” the unbeaten Cleverly said.

“And he is fighting Shumenov on January 8.

“It is frustrating – Braehmer should have vacated his belt – but there’s nothing I can do about it. It’s out of my hands. I think I should have been given my chance, but it’s just a matter of being patient and fighting the winner of Braehmer v Shumenov – hopefully around May time.”

Should Cleverly go on and win a world title, he will become just the second Welshman, after lightweight legend Freddie Welsh, to complete the full set of British, Commonwealth, European and world belts.

He is going to have a well deserved rest before getting back into training to face the new challenges of 2011.

“I’m going to have a good Christmas and freshen up in the New Year ready for my next assignment, probably a nice warm-up at the end of February,” Cleverly said.

The talented fighter has come in for some flak after his scrappy win over last-minute opponent Moham-medi at Liverpool’s Echo Arena on Saturday night.

But Cleverly – who was supposed to fight Romanian-born Spaniard Alejandro Lakatos – said he learned from the experience.

The old maxim is ‘a win’s a win’ and he was happier with his performance after having time to reflect on it. “After watching it on TV, I do feel better about it,” he said. “Mohammedi was a slippery, awkward opponent and the change of fighter with a different style three days before caught me out.

“But I got through it to get the win and I’m still No 1 in the WBO world ranking.”