So Bellew and Cleverly is on then

[dewipowell]

Nath is a perfect role model and a top guy, I wish he'd get the respect he deserves. But us Brits like a moan don't we?

I think that's a bit harsh Dewi - there's a lot of respect for Nathan on this forum, both as a fighter and as a person, but equally you have to understand that the somewhat farcical nature of his ascent to a "world" title has left a bad taste in some people's mouths.
I certainly don't think a Nathan versus Tony fight, as exciting as it is, is worthy of world title status - more like Euro at best.

Hi mate. I disagree because you're suggesting like he jumped straight to a world title when he took the Commonwealth-British-European-eliminator-interim route. He hardly had the title shot on his name like Amir Khan did.

To describe his journey as 'farcical' is insulting. Remember he signed to fight Dean Francis who was a quality British operator but that didn't happen, he also signed to fight Brancalion in Italy but wasn't provided with a date, and he signed to fight Braehmer but that was 1 of 2 pull outs he's suffered.

What's he meant to do if others don't deliver? Say no to the fights made in replacement?

[hitman_hatton1]

after the way bellew fought on saturday i'd rather see braehmer get the call.

even if he is unreliable.

[hitman_hatton1]

Hi mate. I disagree because you're suggesting like he jumped straight to a world title when he took the Commonwealth-British-European-eliminator-interim route. He hardly had the title shot on his name like Amir Khan did.

khan did beat barrera.

barrera lost a competitive fight with marquez less than a year before the khan fight.

that's a better win than anything clev was fed to get a title shot.

[righthook]

Why do you think cleverly hasn't fought in his own country since the Kessler fight????

Come on mate, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to work it out. Like I say he has got Wales cheering for him now but only coz he's started doing well. Another thing u need to realise is that cleverly is the only prospect from your country so he is bound to have all of Wales cheering him on, bellew is one of many many prospects from his country so that's why he has a load of scouses going his fights. Cleverly has a whole nation wanting him to do well and bellew still out sells him.

how small minded to think so

If we go by your reasoning ... then Bellew should have many times more supporting him, because England is by far more populated than Wales ... but thats just silly isn`t it

It is true though. That fWank hasn`t done a very good job of building Nathans supporters. Cleverly hasn`t fought in Wales for almost 3yrs ... thats too long a time away to build a fan base to travel with him. Sure he will have a hardcore group of maybe a couple hundred .. but to build that into the thousands would take a few home defences to get people passionate about him.
So maybe fWank will now decide to build that fan base??

no more like how stupid are you are you really that dumb that you cant comprehend what im saying

i said, and its true that cleverly should out sell bellew coz he has an entire nation supporting just him due to the lack of good boxers in wales. were as bellew gets mainly scousers who support and go see him but he still easily out sells cleverly. cant you work that out no??????

lets take cleverly for example like iv siad before he has only him in his entire country who is going somewere in boxing terms, and yet he only has a few people who go to see him.

bellew on the other hand, never mind england, lets just use liverpool as an example, he has the likes of the 3 smith brothers, joe selkirk, david price, and many other really good prospects to compete with for fans all in the same city, and he still does around 3 times more tickets, than cleverly.

another point is when cleverly was at the same stage in his carrer he got very few fans going to watch him probibly around 100-200.people, its only when he started appearing on sky more, and got a couple of belts people started wanting to go see him, if bellew continues to do what he is doing and gets more tv exposure and more belts then immagine how many fans he might get.

i dont know how you can sit there and say cleverly sells more tickets than bellew when its just a big lie.
i agree with you that when he fights in his home town he will get many more fans come see him but i was there when he fought in wales last time and next to nobody was there for him it was only coz he was in wales he got a few cheers.

if this fight does happen and its in liverpool am sure clev will get a 1000 or so, but if it was in wales and bare in mind bellew hasnt had as much exposure as cleverly bellew would still take allot more than what cleverly would take to liverpool imo

[Deserter]

Nath is a perfect role model and a top guy, I wish he'd get the respect he deserves. But us Brits like a moan don't we?

I think that's a bit harsh Dewi - there's a lot of respect for Nathan on this forum, both as a fighter and as a person, but equally you have to understand that the somewhat farcical nature of his ascent to a "world" title has left a bad taste in some people's mouths.
I certainly don't think a Nathan versus Tony fight, as exciting as it is, is worthy of world title status - more like Euro at best.

Hi mate. I disagree because you're suggesting like he jumped straight to a world title when he took the Commonwealth-British-European-eliminator-interim route. He hardly had the title shot on his name like Amir Khan did.

To describe his journey as 'farcical' is insulting. Remember he signed to fight Dean Francis who was a quality British operator but that didn't happen, he also signed to fight Brancalion in Italy but wasn't provided with a date, and he signed to fight Braehmer but that was 1 of 2 pull outs he's suffered.

What's he meant to do if others don't deliver? Say no to the fights made in replacement?

I'm not blaming him at all for the pull-outs etc, but that doesn't change the fact his route to the top has nonetheless been characterised by late subs, weak opposition and so on. It's got to be one of the softest routes I've ever seen to a 'world title', so I do think it is farcical compared to what the likes of Colin Jones, to use an example close to home, had to go through in his bids to make it to the top. In fact, given Nathan's intelligence, I'd be amazed if he genuinely feels like a 'world champion' based on what he's had to do to date to reach that lofty perch - he knows he hasn't beaten the calibre of opponent that makes him worthy of that claim.
Please realise I'm making a clear distinction between the boxer, who I rate, and the journey, which I don't. I think he's capable of beating world-class opposition, just don't tell me he's a true world champion yet, regardless of whatever plastic he's wearing around his waist.

[righthook]

sorry i meant nottingham not london. i was refaring to his debut were he sold more tickets than what cleverly has done in nearly all his fights bar maybe 1 or 2, and that was away from home on his debut. i was on 1 of the coaches that got put on for that show, and i would also like to say that i have been to at least 5 if not more of cleverlys fights and still he hasnt had nowere near half of what bellew gets. on the show in wales i would go as far as saying he didnt sell over a 100 tickets off his own back in his own back garden, its only now hes doing well that people are starting to take notice

[Captain Hook]

Where has this been confirmed?

The thread insists so, but the only news item I can see is the BBC saying Cleverly would consider giving him a shot?

[morgan82]

BBC radio merseyside have a show called 'on the ropes'. On last nights show they had an interview with Tony Bellew after the fight, he said Clev is his next fight, he's gonna start camp again in a weeks time ready for September.

Then they had an interview with Clev who said it's on, then they had FW on the phone, who said it's on. They both want the fight, the fans want the fight so they can have the fight.

[Herbivore]

It'll be in London on the 17th of September on another 'Magnificent 7' type card. Degale is already penned in to challenge for the European title on that date.

Nope more like 1st Oct in the Echo Liverpool

Nope, more like part of a 'super' card on 17th of September in London.

[righthook]

the fight is on

bellew has agreed to the fight, its only personal terms which need to be agreed and we have a great fight on our hands.

finally the question will be answered on who will win and in what fashion

[damianhucker1]

It'll be in London on the 17th of September on another 'Magnificent 7' type card. Degale is already penned in to challenge for the European title on that date.

Nope more like 1st Oct in the Echo Liverpool

Nope, more like part of a 'super' card on 17th of September in London.

bit risky that aint it , Millwall and West Ham face off that weekend

[earsjohn]

the fight is on

bellew has agreed to the fight, its only personal terms which need to be agreed and we have a great fight on our hands.

finally the question will be answered on who will win and in what fashion

Cleverley, easily. This is a terrible fight. There is a gulf between the two which is being ignored to sell the fight on the basis of some nasty words in a press conference. I like Bellew a lot, but I'm struggling to think of a less deserving world title challenger (maybe Nicky Cook, which kind of says it all).

[leforge]

the fight is on

bellew has agreed to the fight, its only personal terms which need to be agreed and we have a great fight on our hands.

finally the question will be answered on who will win and in what fashion

Cleverley, easily. This is a terrible fight. There is a gulf between the two which is being ignored to sell the fight on the basis of some nasty words in a press conference. I like Bellew a lot, but I'm struggling to think of a less deserving world title challenger (maybe Nicky Cook, which kind of says it all).

Lareya Burns opponent before is lot worse. One time it was going to be Appleby until Lareya beat him.

[righthook]

the fight is on

bellew has agreed to the fight, its only personal terms which need to be agreed and we have a great fight on our hands.

finally the question will be answered on who will win and in what fashion

Cleverley, easily. This is a terrible fight. There is a gulf between the two which is being ignored to sell the fight on the basis of some nasty words in a press conference. I like Bellew a lot, but I'm struggling to think of a less deserving world title challenger (maybe Nicky Cook, which kind of says it all).

I disagree I think bellew ko inside 3, clev fights with his face and has no defence, and why were talking about bellow not deserving a shot, let's mention cleverlys path to the belt a complete joke. Iv never seen a title given to some 1 so easily in my entire life. He gets it given to him and fights some one again on a days notice. Like most of his fights, recently there all walk overs. There either supper middle weights or brought in on a day or 2 notice. If u think bellew doesn't deserve a shot then u must think cleverly is the worst paper champ the world has ever seen, 1 thing is for sure cleverly will have never ever have been in the ring with some 1 who punches as hard as bellew and also some1 who believes he will win 100% and isn't there for a pay day, also an unbeaten fighter who doesn't know how to lose.

[crusader]

In my opinion:

All title challengers need to be deserving of their opportunity, regardless of how the reigning champion acquired the title. If the position is taken that a fighter doesn't need to earn a shot at a world champion because they were crowned in questionable circumstances, then the significance of world title fights will decline. I don't believe this should be encouraged, as the quality of the challengers will concomitantly decline, and no one wants that. Because Clev is now the WBO champion, his opponents should fall within what is generally considered world level or at least somewhere close to that. These positions have to be earned by defeating quality opposition on a regular basis. When I say quality, I don't mean top British domestic fighters, I mean fighters who are generally considered to be world title contenders or top Euro level fighters at worst.

Of course a champion who regularly meets quality opposition is entitled to make an "easy" defense every now and then (the challenger should still be somewhat deserving of the opportunity), but Cleverly has yet to meet a quality opponent in a world title bout, and that lacuna in his record is a part of my aversion to this fight. A world champ who acquired his title outside the ring and has made the only defense of that title against Alexey Kuziemski needs to step up, and a bout with a top British level fighter constitutes a step down.

Personally I'd like to see Cleverly proving he can beat the Yousef Macks of this world at this stage of his career.

I would say that Karo Murat is on the same level as the Mack types. Murat's resume includes wins over former world champ and current contender Gabriel Campillo; former world champ, longtime contender, and two time EBU champ Christian Sanavia; many solid EBU level fighters; and Otis Griffin, a common opponent of Mack and Murat whom Murat defeated first and more convincingly.

[Herbivore]

Bellew has looked poor in his last few fights against a calibre of fighter Clev was beating far more convincingly 5 or 6 fights ago. McIntosh would be a good scalp for Bellew at this stage and Cleverly destroyed him, what, 2 years ago now? These guys may both be young and British but that is about where the similarities end. Cleverly has fought better fighters and has beaten them convincingly, Bellew has the look of a hype job about him. He's beaten nobody and hasn't looked very good doing it. I'm a bit mystified as to how he's getting a 'world' title shot.

[earsjohn]

Bellew could earn a shot by beating someone like McIntosh, Kuziemski or Murat. Cleverley needs to be aiming higher otherwise he could be looking at a world title reign not seen since the days of Alex Arthur.

[hurlock]

ideally you should hold a fighter back & get them fights they ought to win & bring them along, but in bellews case his shelf life at the weight is minimal,he needs to be pumped along & earn some readies & go for it, as cruiser is a stalwart of a division which is fruitless & doesnt attract much attention.

bellew like haye has tAlked himself into a fight & is funny as fuk how he verbals, he is like the scouse barrack obama
he is a love him or hate him type & either way you'll be listening to him.

i think bellew has the ability & bottle to beat cleverley, but i feel he'll choose the wrong tactics.he is tight at the weight which makes him chinny, he does get up because his head does clear as he naturally is durable but the draining has an effect.

bellew should earn the lonsdale outright in quick succession & fight clev soon as.

[taffytoon]

the fight is on

bellew has agreed to the fight, its only personal terms which need to be agreed and we have a great fight on our hands.

finally the question will be answered on who will win and in what fashion

Cleverley, easily. This is a terrible fight. There is a gulf between the two which is being ignored to sell the fight on the basis of some nasty words in a press conference. I like Bellew a lot, but I'm struggling to think of a less deserving world title challenger (maybe Nicky Cook, which kind of says it all).

I disagree I think bellew ko inside 3, clev fights with his face and has no defence, and why were talking about bellow not deserving a shot, let's mention cleverlys path to the belt a complete joke. Iv never seen a title given to some 1 so easily in my entire life. He gets it given to him and fights some one again on a days notice. Like most of his fights, recently there all walk overs. There either supper middle weights or brought in on a day or 2 notice. If u think bellew doesn't deserve a shot then u must think cleverly is the worst paper champ the world has ever seen, 1 thing is for sure cleverly will have never ever have been in the ring with some 1 who punches as hard as bellew and also some1 who believes he will win 100% and isn't there for a pay day, also an unbeaten fighter who doesn't know how to lose.

Mate that is just silly Nathan has been in with Calzaghe and Enzo (boxed hundreds of rounds) and always held his own even as a kid, Bellew has been awful in his last 3 fights and the gap is huge between the two. You say about Nathans path, Tonys is even worse FFS, he has picked up all the vacant belts and has fought nobodies, Ovill is a Journeyman, nothing more nothing less, all he had was a punchers chance (the same as Tony does) the difference is Nathan will out box and outclass Tony easy, the only thing Nathan can do to lose is too give Anthony ( ) a war, he should box clever and then finish him in the middle rounds (Thats if Tony can get past round 2)

[NazNaci1]

To say Nathan is now a champion, after the path, the opponents (not his fault personally) he has faced, is just stupid. Murat was a good win, Kuzmin-whatever was, as expected, a gimme, despite rocking Nathan and now he holds the belt.

Please do not misinterpret this to mean I am not a fan of Nathan's, I am. He is a gutsy guy with good boxing ability and a solid chin. However, like Deserter said, judge the 'journey' and even though criticising Tony's opponents or his performances (in particular his last one), note that Nathan has had his fair share of gimme's & duds, too.

This is a great domestic fight, a grudge fight and Tony is in with a chance. He will be well up for it, as will Nathan. World title, world class, getting there but not yet, in my opinion.

[Evander]

I'd like to see more from Bellew,another warm up would be nice.

[righthook]

Cleverley, easily. This is a terrible fight. There is a gulf between the two which is being ignored to sell the fight on the basis of some nasty words in a press conference. I like Bellew a lot, but I'm struggling to think of a less deserving world title challenger (maybe Nicky Cook, which kind of says it all).

I disagree I think bellew ko inside 3, clev fights with his face and has no defence, and why were talking about bellow not deserving a shot, let's mention cleverlys path to the belt a complete joke. Iv never seen a title given to some 1 so easily in my entire life. He gets it given to him and fights some one again on a days notice. Like most of his fights, recently there all walk overs. There either supper middle weights or brought in on a day or 2 notice. If u think bellew doesn't deserve a shot then u must think cleverly is the worst paper champ the world has ever seen, 1 thing is for sure cleverly will have never ever have been in the ring with some 1 who punches as hard as bellew and also some1 who believes he will win 100% and isn't there for a pay day, also an unbeaten fighter who doesn't know how to lose.

Mate that is just silly Nathan has been in with Calzaghe and Enzo (boxed hundreds of rounds) and always held his own even as a kid, Bellew has been awful in his last 3 fights and the gap is huge between the two. You say about Nathans path, Tonys is even worse FFS, he has picked up all the vacant belts and has fought nobodies, Ovill is a Journeyman, nothing more nothing less, all he had was a punchers chance (the same as Tony does) the difference is Nathan will out box and outclass Tony easy, the only thing Nathan can do to lose is too give Anthony ( ) a war, he should box clever and then finish him in the middle rounds (Thats if Tony can get past round 2)

come on taffytoon if bellew gets past 2 rounds since when has feather fists ever stoped some 1 that early besides some soft african. cleverly has no chance what so ever of stopping bellew, lets be honest here. he has no power what so ever if you take the top 20 fighters at light heavyweight, he would be rock bottom, he is known for having no power what so ever. thats why he had mclintosh down about 5 times and still didnt put him asleep, they were all knockdowns off an accumulation of punches, he may out box bellew or out speed bellew (even tho i think its going to be a k.o no doubt for bellew) but hes not going to hurt bellew in the slightest, have u ever seen bellew hurt? yes he has been down but he has not once look hurt even the huge shot off ovil he got straight back up and took the fight to him, cleverly doesnt punch half as hard as him.

i understand why people think cleverly will win, but 1 thing people need to remember is bellew is a 3x aba champion and a multi nations and a 4 nations champion, so yes cleverly has more pro experience, but bellew also has a better pedigree than clevery does.

[earsjohn]

FFS its not Clevs fault that people pull out against him! Clevs run to get to British and Commonwealth titles against Oakey, Fry and the like of McIntosh was a lot more difficult than the journey Bellew has taken to win his titles in his own back yard against Moore who was a 4 fight novice and Mckenzie and Ajisafe who gave him all the problems in the world!

This is getting ridiculous now and he can only fight the people FW puts in front of him. He wants and craves the big fights and Bellew is no bigger name outside of the UK than Brancallion or the likes of Kuziemski. At least they fought at European level which is something Bellew hasn't and based on his last few showings would struggle to do. Everyone bangs on about Bellews power but he's seen the canvas more times than a WWF WRESTLER. I thinks its his defence he needs to be working on ;)

While it's true that it's hardly Nathans fault that he's become champion at every level without ever facing an incumbent champion, he can be criticised for some of his recent proclamations. In the aftermath of his WBO title defence against Kuziemski, he called out Bernard Hopkins. Now on the subject of a Bellew fight he says "I've not got a problem with it, it's been on before so let's get it on again."

From B-Hop to Bomber is quite a leap in class.

I don't blame Nathan (or Tony) for this fight being made - it's clearly the work of Europes Greatest Promoter. A simple search of "Cleverly" on fw.tv shows up 11 stories involving Tony and Nathan since Nathans fight with Kuziemski. Lets call it like it is - a cynical money-making match up which provides a limited competitive challenge for the champion, a punchers chance for the challenger and zero risk of losing a world title for the promoter.

[taffytoon]

This is for righthook -

Bellew WILL get stopped IMHO. I can not wait to see this fight, Bellew has been put down by a JAB off Bob

I seriously can not wait for you all to see how limited Tony is, Nathan will catch Tony, Tony will go down and if he does get up Nathan will be all over him unlike Ovill and will get the stoppage.

I will not bet on the win for myself but I will have £150 with you for a charity. I bet you that Nathan will beat Tony, if he does you donate £150 to a charity of my choice. If Bellew wins (you are adament he will stop Clev in 3 rounds) I will donate £150 to a charity of your choice.

If either wins by a KO the donation goes up to £200.

Back to you mate

[Captain Hook]

the fight is on

bellew has agreed to the fight, its only personal terms which need to be agreed and we have a great fight on our hands.

finally the question will be answered on who will win and in what fashion

Cleverley, easily. This is a terrible fight. There is a gulf between the two which is being ignored to sell the fight on the basis of some nasty words in a press conference. I like Bellew a lot, but I'm struggling to think of a less deserving world title challenger (maybe Nicky Cook, which kind of says it all).

I disagree I think bellew ko inside 3, clev fights with his face and has no defence, and why were talking about bellow not deserving a shot, let's mention cleverlys path to the belt a complete joke. Iv never seen a title given to some 1 so easily in my entire life. He gets it given to him and fights some one again on a days notice. Like most of his fights, recently there all walk overs. There either supper middle weights or brought in on a day or 2 notice. If u think bellew doesn't deserve a shot then u must think cleverly is the worst paper champ the world has ever seen, 1 thing is for sure cleverly will have never ever have been in the ring with some 1 who punches as hard as bellew and also some1 who believes he will win 100% and isn't there for a pay day, also an unbeaten fighter who doesn't know how to lose.

Very ignorant post...