Tony Bellew
A bitter rivalry has put him top of the bill in Liverpool
Monday 17 November 2014 14:48, UK
Tony Bellew is about to take part in one of British boxing’s biggest nights but this is about more personal revenge for the Liverpool fighter.
Avenging a 2011 loss to bitter rival Nathan Cleverly may come before the magnitude of the evening and the promised bounty of a world title opportunity for the victor.
Bellew v Cleverly, live on Sky Sports Box Office on November 22, is a grudge fight between two men who share disdain for one another as much as it is a world championship eliminator.
Three years ago Cleverly edged the first bout at light-heavyweight but the rematch’s cruiserweight limit gives Bellew the advantage in his eyes.
The fight in Bellew’s hometown at the Echo Arena was sold out in less than 48 hours and represents the biggest night in the Liverpudlian’s career – the perfect redemption after persevering through a rough ride back to the top.
Redemption
A promising amateur career in which Bellew became a three-time ABA heavyweight champion also earned him his ‘Bomber’ nickname on account of his fight-ending ability.
A perfect professional record gave the Matchroom product an opportunity at the Commonwealth light-heavyweight title – he needed less than a round to flatten Atoli Moore and win his first belt.
The second shortly followed as Bellew added the British light-heavyweight title to his waist by beating Ovill McKenzie thus earning his first crack at Cleverly.
The Welshman, whose WBC light-heavyweight strap was on the line, secured victory in Liverpool and handed Bellew his first loss with a majority decision.
The road back to the big-time wasn’t easy. Danny McIntosh and Edison Miranda were overcome before Bellew had to battle back from a severe cut to defeat Roberto Bolonti..
He then needed two attempts to beat Isaac Chilemba – their first encounter was scored a draw despite many feeling Bellew got the better of the Malawian.
But Bellew suffered an arguably bigger blow than his first pro loss to Cleverly when he was stopped for the first time. A WBC and The Ring light-heavyweight title fight in the champion Adonis Stevenson’s native Canada turned into a disaster when Bellew was stopped in the sixth round. He had overcome an earlier kncokdown but failed to get back into the fight.
A drop in weight divisions revitalised the 31-year-old to the extent that his anticipated rematch with Cleverly will now take place at cruiserweight.
Winning and defending the WBO International cruiserweight title in his first two bouts at the smaller weight set up the bitter second fight with his biggest rival.
The winner of Bellew and Cleverly will earn a crack at the world title but, for the time being, this is personal.
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.
