According to promoter Eddie Hearn, the rematch between rivals Nathan Cleverly (28-1, 14 KO’s) and Tony Bellew (22-2-1, 14 KO’s) is nearly finalized.
In what Sky Sports is calling “the most highly-anticipated domestic battles of recent years”, the two former light heavyweight title holders, now both fighting as cruiserweights, will square off again before years end. According to Boxrec.com, the bout is scheduled for November 29th at the Echo Arena in Liverpool, U.K.
The two fighters first met up in October of 2011, where then undefeated Cleverly was defending his WBO light heavyweight title. Bellew, who was also undefeated at the time, was the Commonwealth (British Empire) and BBBofC British light heavyweight title holder. The world champ retained his title with a close majority decision, and the two have remained not so friendly ever since.
Both have made the jump to cruiserweight recently; Cleverly made the move after being starched in four rounds by Sergey Kovalev a year ago, losing his WBO crown, and Bellew moved north after being stopped in six rounds by Adonis Stevenson in a bout for the WBC light heavyweight title last November. Both boxers hold regional titles at their new weights: Cleverly holding the WBA Inter-Continental cruiserweight belt and Bellew with the WBO International cruiserweight title.
Both fighter are confident of victory, and look forward to a world title shot in the near future. Speaking to Sky Sports Cleverly stated “I’ve always said I will fight him anytime anywhere, the result will be the same as before, a Nathan Cleverly victory. The only slight change this time is I doubt he will hear the final bell…” Bellew, just as confident said, “I don’t just want to beat him, I want to finish him, he won’t want to get in the ring ever again after our fight…”
Originally, Hearn was looking to place this fight on a card featuring Kell Brook in December but Brooks’s recent stabbing injury caused him to reschedule.
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