19/04/2013 Sport Wales

Good evening from Burnley where tomorrow Cardiff City play knowing

that promotion is safe and that next year Wales will have two teams

in the Premier League. So after another historic week for Welsh

sport, stay tuned for a bumper sport Wales.

-- Sport Wales. We've been to catch up with Malky

Mackay to reflect on a magical week for the club. We're taking as much

advice from as many people as I can to keep Cardiff City in the league.

Nathan Cleverly is talking to us ahead of his title bout against

Robin Krasniqi. Plus we're at the liberty to meet some of Swansea's

Well, Cardiff City players can relax when they play Burnley here

at tur moor tomorrow, safe in the knowledge that promotion -- Turf

Moor tomorrow, safe in the knowledge that promotion to the

Premier League is in the bag. The journey back to the top tier of

English football has been a bumpy one for the long-suffering

supporters. Gareth Rhys Owen looks at a promotion that's been a long

time in the making. All the players have moved over to

the tunnel, sensible refereing. Marshal with a goal kick. Cardiff

City are going to the Premier League. 51 years they've waited to

go back to the top flight and this time, after all their recent

failures, the nearly men have Despite being out of the top tier,

the Welsh Cup gave Cardiff City a chance to face some of Europe's

biggest clubs in the 60s and 70s. Domestic success became a rarity

over the next two decades with the club bouncing between the lower

divisions and only the odd magical cup run to save her -- safer. --

savour. Cardiff were just drifting to be honest with you. The chairman,

when I signed was Tony Clem enter. He tried his hardest. He done the

best he could, kept the club alive. Then Rick Wright took over and

pumped a little investment in. All of a sudden, it was like planting a

seed and next morning waking up and there was a bean stalk there. It

was fantastic. It wasn't really a long-term plan. Cardiff could

probably have been in the Premiership, you know, 10, 15 years

ago. What's the key to success? What do Cardiff need to do?

investment. Cardiff would have to spend probably in the region of �30,

�40, �45 million to give themselves an opportunity. If they spent like

�20, with the TV money going up next year it will be a struggle.

Money has always been an issue at Cardiff. With the dawn of the

millennium came a new saviour, leb neen businessman Sam Hamam arrived

with a cheque book. Despite being just one more step from the top

tier, the foundations below were creeking. The dark days were there

just before Sam arrived. He was a lively character and put a spark

back in the club. This club has had so many dark days and good days and

where we thought this could be it. This is where Cardiff City is going

to the next level, but we haven't. Sam put more and more in. He got

carried away with the whole scenario. You know, his ego was fed

by the fans. They fuelled each other. Then obviously, that money

suddenly stopped. It was as if somebody turned the tap off. All of

a sudden we had a problem. With the unpopular Peter Ridsdale in charge

the club faced reasonable ruin. certainly wouldn't have wanted to

be part of seeing the club go to the wall. When I was faced with

that decision, do I put my family at risk, my business at risk? Or do

I put the football club at risk? You know, it was one massive

dilemma. Wind Winding up petitions how close were you to the abyss?

I always say the one particular point we were ten minutes from the

abyss. Turmoil off the pitch ah, cheefplts on it. Whilst the club

fought to survive they enjoyed an FA Cup final and got within a

whisker of the Premier League at the 2010 play-offs. It was the

worst I've ever felt after a match. It was a big hurt that one. I think

this more than makes up for it. There's a lot that's happened in

the club. We changed our manager and owners as stuff. I think we've

always been up near the top of the league. We've probably been doing

really well, although we've always seemed to fail at the last hurdle.

It keeps into your mind it might never happen. But no, it's a great

feeling to eventually get it done. Realistically I think we would have

done it any way, even if we had lost the other night, but you want

to do it especially at home, in front of your fans when you have a

chance to do it. As I say, a lot of joy and happiness, but after the

last few years it's relief more than anything. It's where everybody

wants to play and obviously I've got friends who have played there.

It's just some are you want to play, want to test yourself and against

the best in the world. I'm massively looking forward to it.

Obviously it's going to be very, very difficult. But I'm sure with

the manager and the staff have got in place, we'll give it a good shot

and hopefully we can stay there for a few years. Right, in a moment,

I'll be joined by Wales international Sam Ricketts, but

first, what of the last few days -- what have the last few days ln like

for the man would got Cardiff City into the Premier League and how is

he preparing for life in the top flight? Ian Hunt caught up with the

Cardiff City manager, Malky Mackay. We are going up, say, we are going

up! Great to see you. I wonder, how are you feeling? Is it all

beginning to sink in yet? Gradually. I think the local newspapers

yesterday, and walking around yesterday you see a lot of happy

faces, the emotion of everyone on the pitch and a good night for the

club. I think as the days have gone on you start to reelise the

magnitude of where the club is now. Is your head still racing, are you

still thinking? You didn't bother going to bed? No, we are still

planning for the next three games. You're not having nightmares

already of how to deal with the likes of Percival and the players

you will come up against? I will find out from Brendan Rogers how to

deal with Schwarzer. No we'll leave that to a -- suarez. No we'll leave

that to a later poipbtd. You are apparently going to get �25 million

to spend on players. If figures are to be believed, Reading spent �5,

West Ham �19 and West Ham it's 27 - - if you can get the best players

for as cheap as you can to improve the squad. Do you do what Swansea

have done and go to the spinnish market, somebody said you might

need 12 Michu's in the summer? think most of the Premier League

was looking for Michu! You're never going to have a sure thing. There

will be one or two that we get wrong or doesn't work. It's about

hard work. It's about sifting through long hours of videos and

dossiers and documents. And having our scouts to watch games far and

wide and myself to go and do that with the staff as well before we

decide to spend any money. Every penny that we have, up to this

point, there's a reason it has been spent. He wants a reason that it's

been spent. It's about why money needs to be spent and it's up to

him to decide whether to authorise that. In the main, he's given mef

great backing as far as that's concerned. For the fans, the South

Wales derby back in the Premier League, what will that mean to the

supporters? It's something that we have spoken about. On day one, when

I came to the job, to have Cardiff City and Swansea City both in the

Premier League and to be playing in a derby against them, I'm sure the

two games will be interesting to say the least. They'll not be a

ticket to be had. That can only be good for South Wales. Have you

spoke ton Sir Alex or any of the other top managers as to how you

survive in the Premier League? got a nice text from him before and

after the game. That was really nice. There'll be a point where I

go and have a cup of tea with him beforehand. I've had four or five

others from the Premier League texting me, good luck and I'll be

giving them calls.Ive spoke to Brendan Rogers last night. We'll be

tying up as well. I've always said the Premier League will be a better

place with the two Welsh teams in there. It will prove that next

season. As I said, it's a brilliant achievement by Malky Mackay. I'm so

pleased for him. He's a good guy. I've known him a while now. You

have to earn your right and chance to come into the Premier League as

a manager and coach. He's done that. It's about taking as much advice

from as many good people as I can as to how to manage to keep Cardiff

City in the league for as many years as possible. It's something

that won't be done through lack of effort and hard work. And

understanding of the task that's at hand in front of us. A very proud

Malky Mackay there. I'm joined now by Wales' international Sam

Ricketts. Sam, how important has Malky Mackay been in Cardiff City's

success? He's brought changes to the team and the set up probably

behind the scenes as much as anything. They have the consistency

this year which they haven't had in the past. A fantastic start as

always, like they have for the last four, five years. This year they've

maintained it to the end. Vincent Tan said he doesn't want to spend

what �25 million, does that sound about right? Going off what the

teams have spent this year, I think that's a fair amount. I don't know

if you need to spend that much. He'll need to be careful not to rip

the side apart. There's been reports about the side needed

strengthening, every position. I don't really believe that. If you

look at QPR, a side who has spent a phenomenal amount of money to stay

in the Premier League and are struggling. It looks like they're

going to go down. Swansea maintained nearly lay side,

certainly players from League Two that they've accumulated through

the league. The team spirit which got Cardiff there, you need to be

careful and protect that and give the players a chance to got the

club promoted. What players come to your mind, when you think, oh, that

would be ideal for Cardiff City? Phil Neville, someone with

experience. You need two or three players to add experience. You have

Craig Bellamy there. Add Phil Neville to the mix. And then you

need young players who are hungry to prove themselves in the game, a

bit like the Michu effect. He was hung Troy prove himself in the

English football style and he's come in, along with the other

Spanish players. It's a real mix to keep the team spirit is the most

important thing. Can they stay up? Definitely. I don't really see any

reason why they should be scared. They've obviously enjoying the

promotion party at the minute and rightly. So it's been a long ten

months for them. When the season starts next season, they'll have

the euphoria of being in the Premier League for the fis time.

The fans will be fantastic every week. Don't go anywhere. We'll turn

our attention to boxing now. And to a very big night in the Welsh

amateur boxing calendar. Sport Wales cameras went along to catch

the action. Boxing was a key part of the

British success at last year's London Olympic Games. It provided a

boost for Welsh amateur boxing when Fred Evans won a silver medal in

the welterweight final. Last weekend some of our hopefuls for

Rio 2016 were on show at the Welsh Amateur Boxing Association's elite

finals. It's the pinnacle of the year really. It's the ultimate for

our up-and-coming boxers who are going to go forward hopefully in

boxing, European Championships and limb Bic Games. This is the scene -

- Olympic Games. This is the scene it's set on. Nicola Adams Gold

Medal performance was a stand-out moment of the Games. This year, the

lightweight effort, Jones in the blue vest proved far too powerful

for ef ans on the night winning the tightal -- title by a points margin

of 25-8. I've worked hard for it. I think I

deserved that. How much inspiration was Nicola Adams to you last year?

Amazing inspiration. It's got me more determined. It makes me work

harder as well to chase my dream. In the flyweight division Jayme

Beasley gained a narrow points decision over Ben baker. Wins for

an yell Evans in the welterweight division and the experienced Jayme

Evans proved too strong for Aaron Bird at middleweight. One of the

best success stories in Welsh amateur boxing in recent years is

St Joseph's gym in Newport. It's home to the Olympic Silver Medalist

Fred Evans. McGold Rick's fight had to be cancelled at the last minute.

I'm really disappointed. I'm not fighting tonight. That's just the

way it goes. The European rgs World Championships coming up. I need to

be on top form. I feel I'm in good form. Hopefully I'll get

transferred to the Europeans which is first, at the epd of May. That's

what's next. Another of St Joseph's rising stars

was on show in the 60kg lightweight division. Former Welsh champion Joe

Cordina. Over the moon. I've put in hard

work over the last couple of weeks and months. Tonight it came off.

It's like sleeping to me, boxing. Yeah, it's, this is like playing

football to like Ronaldo or Messi. In the 81kg light-heavyweight

division another hopeful Morgan Jones had a very tough encounter

with Nathan Thorley. Then it was on to the big boys. In the heavyweight

division Callum Evans was give ago way a height advantage against Tom

King. It was Evans who took the title after one of the most

exciting fights of the evening. In the superheavy weights saw Phil

Davies scoring an emphatic points victory over Rhys Tom Williams. The

most dramatic performance came from another very well thought of young

boxer and member of the Great Britain squad, Zac Davies. In his

light welterweight bout against Jordan Fisher.

Started off quite good. I got in a few good shots. I finished him.

This year is busy. I have the Europeans in May. And the World

Championships at end of the year. Hopefully medal in one of them now

and try to make my mark on boxing. For a small country we are punching

above our weight and I'm sure before the next, before the Rio

Olympics, there'll be a few more Welsh lads up there.

Remember, still to come: We pound the streets with Nathan Cleverly as

he prepares to defend his title against Robin Krasniqi.

Well as Cardiff City make plans for life in the Premier League, there's

strong speculation that Swansea City will look to Spain once again

this summer to strengthen their squad. Can they find another star

like Michu perhaps? Well, Ian Hunt has been speaking to an expert in

the field as well as two current members of Swansea's Spanish

contingent. Their faith in the virtues and

products of Spanish football has been rewarded this season.

Michu, you know the rest. After raiding the Spanish league's for

Michu and three others last year, how many more Spaniards will

Swansea snap up this summer? How much more Michus might there be

undiscovered? There's no more Michus. Michu is a guy that has

come in, has adapted really well, has a fantastic first touch, is a

goal scorer. He doesn't need to play the ball that much. He affects

teams. Like Michu, none. You talk about bargains though, players that

have quality for the Premier League, you've got a dozen there. People

that are actually, I would say desperate even, to leave their

clubs. There's lots of names linked with Swansea, can you see some of

them turning up here? If you follow regularly La Liga in England, you

would know some of those names are regular in their teams. We've seen

them play. Some of them will be here. How did Swansea get Michu?

How did they get him ahead of all the other Premier League clubs, who

were supposedly looking at him? lot of clubs were looking into it

and they thought no, he's a number nine that probably is tall but

doesn't head the ball well. He's in the a midfielder that passes the

ball, so what is he? While they were trying to find an answer,

Swansea said come to us. I can tell you, there's been investigations

within clubs, big clubs, in the Premier League to find out why they

missed Michu. How could you think that for �2.5 million, somebody who

scored in double figures could not work with your boss. Defenders

Angel Rangel and Chico Flores were at a news conference. Do you enjoy

public speaking then? I prefer to be kicking the ball in front of

probably as many thousands people as you want. If I have to do it,

it's part of your job as well. It's not my best, but I try it. As the

longest serving Spaniard here, are you kind of the leader of the

group? I found it difficult at the time when I came here, but now I

see the new comers coming and it's the same. I am trying to make it

easier for them, help them with everything on and off the pitch.

It's a guider trying to help them and make them feel comfortable and

I'm enjoying the life in South Wales. Chico, you're learning

English, how's it going? A little bit English. He's saying that he's

been here for about nine months and he's found it difficult to learn

English, but it is improving. He doesn't think he's ready for TV

interviews yet. His English is OK but sometimes it's a lot of

pressure. He's happy I'm here to help him out. Getting a reputation

as a tough tackling player? English game is a lot different and

the Italian game, so obviously he remembers attacking when he got a

red card. He thinks if he had done that in Spain, he wouldn't have got

as many games ban. He works hard and tries to improve all the time

and for him that was a lesson. He knew he made a mistake that day.

He's learned from that. You can see he's a better player and enjoying

it more. In terms of the season, what is the target for Swansea? Is

it to ensure you finish in the top ten? We won the cup. We're in the

top ten. With six games to go that is the biggest achievement Swansea

can get. Hopefully if we stay in the top ten that would be a mass a

chee. For the club. It's not over yet. We have to work for 18 points

and hopefully we'll get as many as we can. Beating Southampton

tomorrow is key to the top-ten target. Could the architect of

Swansea's success be seduced to Spain? Just after winning the cup

and 70-odd per cent of fans want him to replace Mourinho if he

leaves. But he's signed a new contract. I know Brendan Rogers did

that as well but a different situation. This is a man who has

been in the elite. He has been at Real Madrid, Juventus. He's seen it

and done it. He just wants to be happy at what he does. Heefz happy

at Swansea, at a club he's taken to Europe and with a possibility of

making the squad better. Sometimes it's not about getting to the top,

and then you sign for Barcelona or Real Madrid and six months later

they sack you. What kind of enjoyment is that? I think Liam

McLeod is looking for happiness and he's -- Michael Laurup is looking

for happiness and he has it here. We saw them there, the Spanish boys

at the liberty, what or who will this summer bring to the Liberty?

I'm expecting a few more astute signings by Michael this summer,

given the business model that Hugh Jenkins has installed at Swansea

I'm not expecting fanfare arrivals. Pretty much more of the same. If

they can add another Michu to the squad I'm sure they will try to do

that. The fact they have silverware now and the name Michael McLeod

does that make the club more attractive to bigger names? --

Michael Laurup. More than that it's the way Swansea play their football.

They've gained a reputation for playing attractive football.

There's admiring eyes not just in this country, but abroad now as

well. As players, you want to be part of a team that plays like that.

I think that plays as much a part of the fact that they're now the

League Cup cluns. Fans will wonder what will next season bring for

Swansea fans, what's the next goal, do you think? I'm not sure how far

Swansea can go. They keep surpassing expectations every year.

They've got better and better for the last six years. It's the case

of doing the same thing and possibly trying to nick a European

place. As a former swans yip player, can you imagine what that South

Wales derby will be like next year? It's already been spoken about not

just by me, but anyone I speak to now is looking forward to the derby

next year and what it's going to do for Saj Wales. Sam Ricketts, thank

you for -- South Wales. Ricketts, thank you phwoaarr

joining us. Tomorrow night Nathan Cleverly will make his fifth

defence of the heavyweight title against Robin Krasniqi, a fiegtder

that's described as -- fighter has described as the best he's ever

faced. Nathan made time to speak to Sport Wales ahead of the big fight.

Boxing is part of me. It's in my DNA. It tests you mentally,

physically and phylosophically like no other sport. You need dedication,

mental strength and the will to win. I box because the buzz of boxing,

the adrenaline it gives me. It's an incredible feeling. For my

background as a kid I was very competitive. I found myself

involved in a lot of street fights on street corners. Boxing wagz a

way out for me. It provided me with discipline and a vision. I love the

fear. I love just charging towards it. I feel that's the best way to

overcome fear. Take it on head first and just destroy it. I knew

right from day one, even before I stepped in the boxing gym, that I

would become world champion. My fifth defence of my world title has

come around so quickly. I'm looking forward to it. Just like every

other defence, just embrace it and being world champion and enjoying

the moment. Krasniqi is a very credible opponent, very tough.

Knocked out his last four opponents. This is a tough fight. He's coming

in with a great deal of confidence. He's a hungry fighter, they're

danger fighters. I have to be on the ball for this fight. He will

give this everything to rip this world title from me. Training has

gone very well. I love pushing my body hard, physically feeling in

great shape. More importantly mentally I've been focused. I have

to take this guy on. I'm going to prove I'm a true world champion.

Natural ability is something that you must have to reach the top in

boxing. But the majority is the will to go through the work, the

training, the work edgic that's got to be -- it's got to be extreme.

You get to a stage in the fight where your body can go into a kind

of trans, where you're so tired and exhausted, your legs, your arms,

your lungs, they get so tired that you kind of end the transstage

where you just are working on instinct. When you've prepared your

body to do that, it becomes much easier in the fight to go through

that, that threshold.. Still the world heavyweight champion, Nathan

Cleverly. Two individuals in that boxing ring

fighting like two gladiators who've trained and prepared religiously to

win in battle, it's definitely the toughest sport of all. And let's

hope that Nathan Cleverly can keep the Welsh sporting success going

tomorrow night. You can listen to the fight live on both BBC Radio