Tony Bellew - I WANT THE FIGHT!!! - Looking a bit silly now

[Tommy Gunn13]

Listen people i lost 14 pounds in 24hrs!! i tried my upmost and I still wanted more time to carry on!! Id have run that weigh in from here if I was allowed!! Do people not understand after I was 13st 1 I went in a sauna for 2 and a half hours and lost 1/2 a pound!! there was a lot of witnesses to that too!! I then went and tried to run too!! I tried to make something special happen for the sake of my family and future and it didnt come off!! I lost out on more than people could imagine!!

Tony I just want to say, while I am not happy with the situation I really do believe that you tried your best. My point has been that other people should have been able to have seen it was not looking good before the presser.

Obviously there will now be all kinds of rumours and stuff as to when you first weighed (unofficially) and peoples reaction to that. You might not be feeling so great now, and that might also be because of the weight loss but IMO I think the lose of 14 lbs in 24 hours, whilst shows impressive dedication, demonstrates you wouldn't have been at your best and its a wise decision in terms of potential health consequences.

I think people would be wrong to say you didn't try, one look at you in the press conference showed you were desperately trying to make the weight. Something Clev spotted straight away also. However, what has annoyed me the most, and I don't know how much you are to blame for this, is why did it go all the way to the presser and beyond before the weigh in. Even if you had made it, I think it would have been in the best interests long term to suggest you didn't take this fight and you couldn't have been at your best. Were the organisors unaware of your weight at the press conference? If so why? Why didn't they weigh you before hand? You had some time to make the weight and I can see why you were arguing, but looking at you and if they knew you were still 7 lbs over - they should be experienced to know its not going to happen. You looked dry.

Good post Stu

[Glyn Leach]

We shouldn't forget that Lennox was given his first belt, too, so being gifted a title doesn't mean a fighter can't go on to become a good champion.

[Glyn Leach]

Listen people i lost 14 pounds in 24hrs!! i tried my upmost and I still wanted more time to carry on!! Id have run that weigh in from here if I was allowed!! Do people not understand after I was 13st 1 I went in a sauna for 2 and a half hours and lost 1/2 a pound!! there was a lot of witnesses to that too!! I then went and tried to run too!! I tried to make something special happen for the sake of my family and future and it didnt come off!! I lost out on more than people could imagine!!

Tony I just want to say, while I am not happy with the situation I really do believe that you tried your best. My point has been that other people should have been able to have seen it was not looking good before the presser.

Obviously there will now be all kinds of rumours and stuff as to when you first weighed (unofficially) and peoples reaction to that. You might not be feeling so great now, and that might also be because of the weight loss but IMO I think the lose of 14 lbs in 24 hours, whilst shows impressive dedication, demonstrates you wouldn't have been at your best and its a wise decision in terms of potential health consequences.

I think people would be wrong to say you didn't try, one look at you in the press conference showed you were desperately trying to make the weight. Something Clev spotted straight away also. However, what has annoyed me the most, and I don't know how much you are to blame for this, is why did it go all the way to the presser and beyond before the weigh in. Even if you had made it, I think it would have been in the best interests long term to suggest you didn't take this fight and you couldn't have been at your best. Were the organisors unaware of your weight at the press conference? If so why? Why didn't they weigh you before hand? You had some time to make the weight and I can see why you were arguing, but looking at you and if they knew you were still 7 lbs over - they should be experienced to know its not going to happen. You looked dry.

Good post Stu

X2

[Black Sam Bellamy]

Tony, the fact that you had to lose 14 pounds in 24hrs..and still couldn't make the wait, tells me that you should never have put yourself forward in the first place. You were basically 2 stone over when Braemer pulled out. It's fantasy land to think you can get that amount of weight off and still be competitive (and safe) in a World title fight.

I am not having a personal attack on you here btw, but I also think your conduct in the Press conference was unprofessional and unwaranted. Whatever you think of Cleverely, he's a classy operator in and out of the ring, and you should be showing more respect, especially considering Ovil McKenzie put you on your arse twice last time out. The boxing public who buy their tickets and PPVs aren't stupid. "Cheap heat" doesn't sell in my book.

[Autobarn]

definitely. but smashing razor ruddock - whom many experts were in love with at the time - in a couple of rounds, well that bought him some lee-way.

we'll have to all be patient jumping onto the cleverly bandwagon, because as with calzaghe and macca, fans certainly had to do some waiting for the top fights to be made. i'm sure we all like him, the way he gets stuck in and of course he's not to blame for all this circus.

[MightyWarrior]

We shouldn't forget that Lennox was given his first belt, too, so being gifted a title doesn't mean a fighter can't go on to become a good champion.

Who's the only world champ to never actually win a world title fight ?? There used to only be one answer, not sure now !

[orbtastic]

We shouldn't forget that Lennox was given his first belt, too, so being gifted a title doesn't mean a fighter can't go on to become a good champion.

Who's the only world champ to never actually win a world title fight ?? There used to only be one answer, not sure now !

The old answer was always Ken Norton?

[MightyWarrior]

The old answer was always Ken Norton?

Yep, there's probably about another 20 now

[Glyn Leach]

definitely. but smashing razor ruddock - whom many experts were in love with at the time - in a couple of rounds, well that bought him some lee-way.

Only an eliminator Barn, they're 10 a penny these days — but you're right, a proper eliminator in every sense of the word

[stujones]

definitely. but smashing razor ruddock - whom many experts were in love with at the time - in a couple of rounds, well that bought him some lee-way.

Only an eliminator Barn, they're 10 a penny these days — but you're right, a proper eliminator in every sense of the word

It is all True, but then Lewis wasn't considered a world champion in America untill just before the Holyfield fight. Many in the states saw his first reign as a joke. We have criticised Bowe's actions - yanks respond is that he "ducked" Lewis to fight the #2 Heavyweight on the planet and the man who gave him fits in the first bout in one of the greatest fights of all time.

Lewis' second reign started again with a vacant title, and that had the disasterous defence against Akinwande - America took notice of him as a champion when he beat Golota.

But he made plenty of money and got plenty of attention on this side of the atlantic in his first reign.

[Glyn Leach]

All true. Took Lennox a long time to live that down. Was never really appreciated until he retired, I think.

[orbtastic]

The reception he got at the Haye/Aud fight was tremendous, probably louder than any he ever got as a pro.

[Glyn Leach]

Even after he beat Holyfield, when he came back to London to fight Botha the hall was far from full. That said, I think there's more of an event culture these days, more people go to see bands, festivals, all sorts of things than they did 'back in the day'. If Lennox were an active fighter today I think he'd be far better supported in this country.

[orbtastic]

As my brother leaned over and said to me in the arena when Lewis was being cheered...f me, Lewis would clown the pair of them even in his dress shoes.

[Counter-puncher]

As my brother leaned over and said to me in the arena when Lewis was being cheered...f me, Lewis would clown the pair of them even in his dress shoes.

with a cup of tea and a cigar

[palooka]

Listen people i lost 14 pounds in 24hrs!! i tried my upmost and I still wanted more time to carry on!! Id have run that weigh in from here if I was allowed!! Do people not understand after I was 13st 1 I went in a sauna for 2 and a half hours and lost 1/2 a pound!! there was a lot of witnesses to that too!! I then went and tried to run too!! I tried to make something special happen for the sake of my family and future and it didnt come off!! I lost out on more than people could imagine!!

There should be a medal struck up for that alone. I am dizzy and sick as F after 10 minutes and I'm fat as a walrus with loads of beer to sweat out.

[jBacca]

Listen people i lost 14 pounds in 24hrs!! i tried my upmost and I still wanted more time to carry on!! Id have run that weigh in from here if I was allowed!! Do people not understand after I was 13st 1 I went in a sauna for 2 and a half hours and lost 1/2 a pound!! there was a lot of witnesses to that too!! I then went and tried to run too!! I tried to make something special happen for the sake of my family and future and it didnt come off!! I lost out on more than people could imagine!!

There should be a medal struck up for that alone. I am dizzy and sick as F after 10 minutes and I'm fat as a walrus with loads of beer to sweat out.

Aye. I tried to outlast a local thai-boxer for man points the other week and nearly passed out. Managed to do him though - g'wan me.

[Asterix]

Keep ya chin up and concentrate on moving forward

That may well be his undoing. Keeping his chin down and concentrating on moving laterally may be a better option.

Well played. I agree.

[Asterix]

Listen people i lost 14 pounds in 24hrs!! i tried my upmost and I still wanted more time to carry on!! Id have run that weigh in from here if I was allowed!! Do people not understand after I was 13st 1 I went in a sauna for 2 and a half hours and lost 1/2 a pound!! there was a lot of witnesses to that too!! I then went and tried to run too!! I tried to make something special happen for the sake of my family and future and it didnt come off!! I lost out on more than people could imagine!!

I think mate you should be philosophical here - I think it's a blessing in disguise that you couldn't make weight, there could have been serious repercussions, and I'm sure your family would rather have you healthy.

Cleverly would have had the most intensive training camp of his life, and you would have effectively been going in with one hand tied behind your back.

I think in the long run, it's worked out for the best.

+1

Agreed, big time.

[Pat Butcher]

Tony, the fact that you had to lose 14 pounds in 24hrs..and still couldn't make the wait, tells me that you should never have put yourself forward in the first place. You were basically 2 stone over when Braemer pulled out. It's fantasy land to think you can get that amount of weight off and still be competitive (and safe) in a World title fight.

I am not having a personal attack on you here btw, but I also think your conduct in the Press conference was unprofessional and unwaranted. Whatever you think of Cleverely, he's a classy operator in and out of the ring, and you should be showing more respect, especially considering Ovil McKenzie put you on your arse twice last time out. The boxing public who buy their tickets and PPVs aren't stupid. "Cheap heat" doesn't sell in my book.

Not true, that press conference alone would have sold loads more ppv's if the fight was still on. I also personally enjoyed Bomber's and Cleverley's conduct (as did many others) but I am easily pleased.

[J]

i think Tony showed some balls being willing to take the fight at such short notice...i wouldnt be too down about it tony..drop Ovil and perform in your next fight and who knows perhaps we could have another grudge match on our hands.

and one that you give yourself the best chance in rather than 1. being undertrained 2. having to drop so much weight so quickly and 3. one you can tactically prep for ...


coudl end up being a win win for you mate.

[Dave81]

This will all turn out to be a blessing in disguise, because if and when they do meet each other, there will be NO EXCUSES! No one will be coming in weight drained at short notice, both will of gone through 12 weeks of hellish training, and inbetween now and then, alot of bad blood will of got mixed up between them! This fight easily has the making of one of british boxings greatest ever battles, and i cannot wait!

[dondada]

Plenty of opportunities for his trainers or the Area Council to have weighed him, yes. And FW should have been able to trust them. They should have done the right thing. But FW doesn't have a Liverpool office, the Board has representatives in that Area, and Sky were pushing for Bellew — the Polish guy was on standby from early yesterday, as some of you will be aware due to a PM from a fellow Boxrec poster, and FW was going to go with him. But Sky wanted Bellew and the pressure was on FW to put him in. And Sky hold the money and so the power.

Nobody is without blame here but it's unrealistic to knee-jerk blame FW for anything that goes wrong with something he's involved with. It shows a lack of understanding in the way boxing is run. There are a whole bunch of people involved in this fiasco, including Sky, the Board, Bomber and his trainers. But the tendency of some to just go 'Warren's fault' is palpable and those who take that line do themselves a disservice in choosing an easy answer, sometimes over and over again. There is an awful lot to be taken into account in any given situation in boxing and to understand it fully it's necessary to have an open mind. Nobody's right all the time, nobody's wrong all the time.

It's a typical knee jerk reaction from some to blame the Board for everything, or Sky. Have either of these done anything wrong in this fiasco? (Never mind the general PPV argument). I don't think so. If someone had turned round to Sky and said 'You can't have Bellew, he can't do the weight. You can have a press conference then the Board will end up nixing him - it'll be a farce', then I'm sure the broadcaster would have accepted. And who is it that should have been saying this?

I didn't believe that Bellew happened to be just over the fighting weight when he had a contest ages away and anyone who did is naive, to say the least - never mind what the lad himself was saying.

Bellew is at fault because, probably, he was kidding himself and trying everything he could to do that weight.

The Board are there to regulate the sport and no blame whatsoever can be laid at their door for this, in my opinion. Worst case scenario was the 'magic scales' could have been wheeled out, and Bellew approved.

What we can all agree on is that is has indeed been a load of bollocks all round.

It was totally the Board's responsibility Ian, how can you suggest otherwise? What do you think regulation means? It was always going to be their decision whether this fight would happen at the end of the day, they are Britain's sanctioning body. It's impossible to exonerate them. They are the one party in all this with the power to say yes or no.

And Sky pushed for the fight, fact. Barney Francis knocked back the suggested substitutes and wanted Bellew. Warren obviously crumbled under this pressure, most promoters would have. Ring him up and ask him if he's happy about this. I did. It's part of getting a balanced view, which is what I believe I have in this situation. Who haven't I blamed in some way? I just haven't taken the lazy way out and dumped the whole lot at the door of everyone's favourite whipping boy, because unlike some I have no anti-Warren agenda. My only agenda is pro-boxing.

From my phone so I'll keep it short. The Board don't appear to have done anything wrong here. A lad who wasn't fit to fight was put forward for the job and was refused.

[wahabenson]

Nathan Cleverly vrs Braimah Kamoko.....this should have been the best match...the champion vrs WBO #2.......

[Dan Dares]

It was totally the Board's responsibility Ian, how can you suggest otherwise? What do you think regulation means? It was always going to be their decision whether this fight would happen at the end of the day, they are Britain's sanctioning body. It's impossible to exonerate them. They are the one party in all this with the power to say yes or no.

And Sky pushed for the fight, fact. Barney Francis knocked back the suggested substitutes and wanted Bellew. Warren obviously crumbled under this pressure, most promoters would have. Ring him up and ask him if he's happy about this. I did. It's part of getting a balanced view, which is what I believe I have in this situation. Who haven't I blamed in some way? I just haven't taken the lazy way out and dumped the whole lot at the door of everyone's favourite whipping boy, because unlike some I have no anti-Warren agenda. My only agenda is pro-boxing.

Everyone's favourite whipping boy? Do me a favour.

I don't see why any 'blame' has to be attributed to anyone, but if it does, the majority of it, like he admitted himself when he said 'the buck stops with me' should lay at allegedly's door. He's the one most likely to, or certainly should have been, in possession of the facts. Personally, I don't think Bellew is to blame. He passionately wanted the fight, and you can understanding him bending the truth a little. If a promoter takes a fighters word about a weight issue, then surely he's asking for it. The weight issue, and the safety/career path of his fighter, should have been his primary concern. I don't think it was, and the 'pressure from Sky' comment you made earlier, if you believe it, pretty much underlines this. If Sky were in possession of the facts, no way would they have pushed for this fight.

Anyway, if Allegedly is so shit scared about having a PPV pulled then surely he should have:

A: Pre-empted the Braehmer thing, especially going on his previous history, and maybe put Bellew/AN Other on standby earlier? I know hindsight is a wonderful thing, but you don't have to be Doctor Who to suss that he might pull out.

B: Sorted a better PPV bill in the first place, even domestically - if he had Chisora/Fury or Mitchell/Murray or Gavin/Theophane (even McKenzie v Bellew) on this bill, then I'm sure Sky wouldn't have batted an eyelid about Cleverly boxing the Pole. Instead, we have a load of piss-poor matchups.

Let's not read too much into this - the press conference was a PR stunt plain and simple. I'm paying my £15 for DeGale/Groves anyway. Hopefully, Allegedly will put it towards a slightly more tasteful suit.