Bellew comes in fighting...

[apophenic]

Tony Bellew and Nathan Cleverly had to be pulled apart at an explosive press conference ahead of This Is It.

The pair almost came to blows before a word had barely been said. Bellew, who has stepped in at the last minute to challenge for the WBO light-heavyweight title, had to be led off-stage by security as their hastily-arranged fight almost kicked off early.

The Scouser, unbeaten in 15 fights and the Commonwealth champion, was last in but first to go on the attack.

Words were exchanged as he passed Cleverly on his way to his seat. Cleverly responded by calling him "scum" and was first to speak up, demanding "respect".

"He wouldn't do what I'm doing," he said. "No-one would do what I'm doing,. Twenty-four hours, 24 days, 24 months, it doesn't matter - I'm going to hit him. And when I hit him he will stay hit."

Cleverly then offered him a free shot on the chin and offered him outside at which point the pair almost came to blows. They were pulled apart and Cleverly took his seat before responding to Bellew.

"I'm ready to fight," he said. "I'll fight anybody. He's a totally different opponent but, Braehmer has been stripped so why should I turn down a fight with him (Bellew)?

"I'm the champion, I'm the best out there and I'll beat anybody. Fight night is the time to prove it."

It was the only point they agreed on before Bellew - who insisted his weight is not an issue despite the late call-up - claimed that he was bigger box office than original foe Braehmer.

Cleverly says he will not feel like a champion until he was won on Saturday night - and he is not about to give up the title he was only officially handed on Thursday morning.

.

[apophenic]

Did anyone agree with Bellew? Do you think Cleverly would have taken a fight like this at such short notice? I don't.

in all fairness i think he probably would have done...

[milpool]

Did anyone agree with Bellew? Do you think Cleverly would have taken a fight like this at such short notice? I don't.

Maybe he would, maybe he wouldn't...but we'll see if it was a wise decision from Bellew come Saturday night.

[Londonirish]

Did anyone agree with Bellew? Do you think Cleverly would have taken a fight like this at such short notice? I don't.

in all fairness i think he probably would have done...

No way would he of.....

[taffytoon]

Yes Nathan would have taken the fight It is for the world title, the winner of this (Nathan Cleverly) will go on to much bigger and better things, Tony will lick his wounds and carry on with his career.

[jBacca]

Did anyone agree with Bellew? Do you think Cleverly would have taken a fight like this at such short notice? I don't.

Would he fvck. I don't think many would have. I wouldn't blame anyone either - I wouldn't take it.

[apophenic]

Did anyone agree with Bellew? Do you think Cleverly would have taken a fight like this at such short notice? I don't.

in all fairness i think he probably would have done...

No way would he of.....

if he was at the same stage of his career as bellew i think there's a possibility he would have gone for it...

cleverly has just as much fighting heart as bomber does...he's no andre dirrell...

[bigjack]

Did anyone agree with Bellew? Do you think Cleverly would have taken a fight like this at such short notice? I don't.

Cleverly probably would never have to as he is the star,so to speak and has had the exposure and numerous title chances already,whereas bellews chances might be few and far between

[alexpaterson]

I think Bellew got under his skin there, but I can't see it having any bearing on the fight. IMO Cleverly us out of his league and will stop him late. Game lad Bellew and brave but not ready for Clev imo

[taffytoon]

I think Bellew got under his skin there, but I can't see it having any bearing on the fight. IMO Cleverly us out of his league and will stop him late. Game lad Bellew and brave but not ready for Clev imo

He didn't mate, Nath got under Bellews skin with the "Bum" comment, it came out in his potty mouth again..

[danieljenkins]

bellew got a big mouth and clevs is the one to shut it for him

[jBacca]

Can't shut a Scouser up mate.

[whiskey]

Good tactics by Bellew.

Should raise his chances of a punch-up and ensure we all get a better fight.

[Counter-puncher]

Did anyone agree with Bellew? Do you think Cleverly would have taken a fight like this at such short notice? I don't.

my guess is no.

although i seem to recall the fight vs oakey was short-ish notice... or was that only for Oakey hahaha my memory is rubbish can anyone help out?

[Dioufy]

Did anyone agree with Bellew? Do you think Cleverly would have taken a fight like this at such short notice? I don't.

my guess is no.

although i seem to recall the fight vs oakey was short-ish notice... or was that only for Oakey hahaha my memory is rubbish can anyone help out?

It was Oakey, hence the belly.

[Counter-puncher]

i thought the fight itself was only announced with about 4 weeks notice?

[ShadrachSimmo]

This fight prob would have been a long way away from happening if Braehmer didnt pull out. I think Clev will be too much for Bellew.

[CiganoBoxer]

I agree with Tony he deserves every respect for taking a fight in 48 hrs notice ...hope he does well

[crusader]

Certainly adds some spice to the match.

[stujones]

i thought the fight itself was only announced with about 4 weeks notice?

Clev was scheduled to fight Dean Francis.

[black panther]

Good tactics by Bellew.

Should raise his chances of a punch-up and ensure we all get a better fight.

X2

Was about to say the same thing mate. It's in Bellew's interest to turn this into a punch-up.

[Counter-puncher]

i thought the fight itself was only announced with about 4 weeks notice?

Clev was scheduled to fight Dean Francis.

gotcha cheers Stu

[Asterix]

I think Bellew got under his skin there, but I can't see it having any bearing on the fight. IMO Cleverly us out of his league and will stop him late. Game lad Bellew and brave but not ready for Clev imo

He didn't mate, Nath got under Bellews skin with the "Bum" comment, it came out in his potty mouth again..

Yep. I love the psychology of boxing. Cleverly got to Bellew, not the other way round.

[stujones]

First pic I have seen at the press conference - Bellew looks gaunt with eyes like Ami Asikanen at the press conference of his Matt Macklin fight.

[Asterix]

I agree with Tony he deserves every respect for taking a fight in 48 hrs notice ...hope he does well

Yeah, he deserves respect from the fans for that. It's nothing to do with Cleverly, though, and is irrelevant whether or not Cleverly would have taken it. What matters is that it's got people interested and who wins the fight.