No issues on the scales ahead of WBO eliminator
Saturday 22 November 2014 08:21, UK
Nathan Cleverly and Tony Bellew exchanged final insults after successfully making weight for their rematch.
The animosity between the pair threatened to boil over as they went face-to-face one more time, but the bitter rivals were eventually separated ahead of Saturday’s fight, live on Sky Sports Box Office.
There was a chorus of boos as Cleverly made his way to the stage, while Bellew was greeted by cheers in his hometown of Liverpool.
The local favourite weighed in at 14st 3lbs, just a pound under the cruiserweight limit, and the Welshman also matched this mark on the scales.
Bellew was glad to complete the last formality before the bout and is confident he will back up his words when the first the bell sounds at the Echo Arena.
A painful, brutal night for him. The end of his career comes tomorrow night.
"Tomorrow the talking stops. It’s real now, 36 hours until detonation, simple as that," he told Sky Sports News HQ. "I’m excited. If I had my way, we would have stopped the talking after the very first press conference."
Asked about how the fight will unfold, Bellew said: "If he absorbs the first serious shots landed, this could be one of the best fights of the year because I’m not giving up no ground.
"I’m the true cruiserweight here. I’ll be totally honest, I don’t see how he can absorb what I’m going to hit him with, but let’s just say he does, because I’ve prepared as if he’s going to.
"I’ve prepared for war of the highest order, so if he takes what I’ve got this is going to be an amazing night. If he doesn’t, then it’s going to be a short, sharp fight."
The Merseysider vowed to avenge his points defeat by Cleverly in 2011 and made a chilling prediction.
"A painful, brutal night for him. The end of his career comes tomorrow night," said Bellew.
Cleverly admits he is facing a career defining fight, with the winner expected to receive a shot at WBO champion Marco Huck.
"I feel good at this weight, making this weight wasn't much of a problem," he said. "I feel strong at the weight, I feel hydrated at this weight so I feel good.
It's the biggest fight of my life. It's a lot on the line. This crowd - look at this atmosphere for this fight - it's a big grudge match.
"It's the biggest fight of my life. It's a lot on the line. This crowd - look at this atmosphere for this fight - it's a big grudge match. It's a big fight, a big rivalry, it's personal.
"It's going to be massive for me. When I win this fight, personally it's going to be massive for me, and I want to push on and push for bigger honours.
"Tony is a real cruiserweight. How can I perform against a real, big proper cruiserweight, a big puncher? This is the acid test. Get through this and we're going to strike for world honours."
Watch Cleverly v Bellew II live and exclusive on Sky Sports Box Office on November 22, with Joshua, Groves, DeGale and more, also on. Go to skysports.com/cleverlybellew to book.
