Tony Bellew gets a headstart on WBO champion Nathan Cleverly

[IRLangmaid25]

The thing to remember is that Nathan persued an education so that he didn't need to get punched in his face until he was 35 to earn a living!

He hasn't relied on the sport owing him a living and i'm sure he'd much rather work 9-5 after earning a decent amount from boxing and getting out in a few years. Seems sensible to me.

People who think he looks down at other people, such has been suggested in the build up to this fight, really don't know him. He came from a rough area etc (you've heard it all before) but choose to get an education and also box at the same time.

Seems like he got the right idea to me

I also remember reading that down in Cefn Forest where he is from that he use to get in some scraps when he was younger etc and saw boxing and education combined as a good way out as he has always been a bright guy, but partial to a ruck at times when he was at school. You could argue that to some extent is the same with Carl Froch who has a diploma in Sports Science who came from a rough part of Nottingham and has made been making additional money from his ring earnings renting out property in Nottingham.

[JamesH]

I like Bellew, I like Cleverly.

I think Bellew is slightly misunderstood at times, passion mistaken for something else. He's a very decent and genuine bloke.

Cleverly is also a top class fella, a superb role model for younger lads coming through. Don't mind the comments about retirement as when he's in there, he really puts it on the line.

I'm looking forward to the fight as a rare neutral.

[Glyn Leach]

That's a ridiculous piece of reporting

[tonyevs]

Handbags.

Just more of the same old hype to sell a fight .. how many times have we seen the same

I don`t think there is is any doubting that Tony Bellew is a very heavy hitter. The fact that he hasn`t looked as devastating in his last few fights is less likely to be that the better opponents can take the power .. and more to do with the fact that the better opponents are staying away from the big shots.

The only big draw back with Tony Bellews punching, is that for the weight, they are so slow .. his right hand is painfully slow to watch.

Like or loath the character Bellew plays - it has worked. And he has secured himself a world title fight ... and a nice pay day.

Best of luck to both guys.

[dewipowell]

What a misleading headline

[Realistic]

Tony is going to think he is surrounded the punches are going to be coming so quick. He will get stopped

[righthook]

Tony is going to think he is surrounded the punches are going to be coming so quick. He will get stopped

Haha

Am sure bellews terrified. We can all say what we think I think bomber will k.o him in a very very bad way but let's see what happens then talk about it.

For now all il say is it will be a great fight and there is without a shadow of a doubt bad blood between them so that will make for a very exciting fight

[Yes We Can]

Bomber will be on his toes all night in this one, he was fighting cautious against Mackenzie last time out, who although a banger, really lacks the class to land enough to put you in trouble.

I see early rounds being dull as fook, before clev starts putting some shots together and slowly wearing down bomber. i dont think bomber will disgrace himself, just think he's always going to be a step away from Clev in there respective careers.

for people saying Clev is to easy to hit, surely theyve noticed bomber getting caught by big shots from far lesser boxers than the welshman (will say his powers of recovery look mighty impressive though)

[DIRT SUGAR]

These face-to-face meetings are a bloody joke. Just no need for it. Stand a good arms-length apart and a bit of verbal never hurt anyone, but when they stand right close up like that... it's just uncalled for.

[tonyevs]

These face-to-face meetings are a bloody joke. Just no need for it. Stand a good arms-length apart and a bit of verbal never hurt anyone, but when they stand right close up like that... it's just uncalled for.

... I guess I`m just plain old-fashioned.
I much preffered when they would just shake hands before a fight.

Its hard to name too rougher fighters than these two ... no need to act. Let your fists do the talking

[NazNaci1]

Clev to stop Bomber???? No chance. Tony has too much heart for that.

Tony has not tired even when he went the distance, so stamina isn't a problem. Too many of you are underestimating Tony here, too little experience etc...the guy was a top class amateur. He has seen all the styles, Nathan doesn't present him with anything new.

It comes down to whether Nathan proves to be better than Tony thought. Nathan is busy and fairly quick but hittable and though he has shown a decent chin, his opponents have not exactly been stellar. Tony is a good puncher and if he hits you, your going to feel it.

Fascinating fight though, as I do like both guys, as fighters. Too many people are just going on the McKenzie I and ready to dismiss Tony. Not a good idea, in my opinion.

[grannyman]

"Cleverly just got a bit too close to my face so I butted him. I won't have any of that rubbish.

"I intimidate him and he is trying to come across like I don't. If he comes too close I will punch his face right in.

"He was lucky I had two belts on my hands because I butted him and he stepped back. I will not be moved — that is me and what I am about.

Well, I hardly call moving your head down a head butt. Bellew clearly thinks he's going to be out boxed if he needs to try and rattle Clev this much. I can't see this being a very intersting fight to be honest, Bellew will miss alot, go down once or twice and then lose on points.

Also, very dissappointed to see Clev's thinking about retiring already. I was hoping we'd get a good 5 or 6 years out of him yet.

[el_grande_mauro_mina]

Also, very dissappointed to see Clev's thinking about retiring already. I was hoping we'd get a good 5 or 6 years out of him yet.

If that is what he wants then why not? It his body and sensibilities on the line.

[DIRT SUGAR]

All the hoopla and talking don't mean jack if you lose.... stay quiet, let the other guy talk, then rub it in afterwards when you're the winner....

Klitschko's video of him holding up pictures of the Haye fight and the expressions he pulled as he held the up was the perfect riposte!!!

If I was you Tony I'd just ignore the bloke. Fight don't need selling. Save your energy for fight night!

[righthook]

"Cleverly just got a bit too close to my face so I butted him. I won't have any of that rubbish.

"I intimidate him and he is trying to come across like I don't. If he comes too close I will punch his face right in.

"He was lucky I had two belts on my hands because I butted him and he stepped back. I will not be moved — that is me and what I am about.

Well, I hardly call moving your head down a head butt. Bellew clearly thinks he's going to be out boxed if he needs to try and rattle Clev this much. I can't see this being a very intersting fight to be honest, Bellew will miss alot, go down once or twice and then lose on points.

Also, very dissappointed to see Clev's thinking about retiring already. I was hoping we'd get a good 5 or 6 years out of him yet.

well thanks for clearing that up mystic meg

whats the numbers for the lotto this week.

if thats whats going to happen then re mortgage your house and put all your money on it.

NO, didnt think so mate.

[sendo]

Cleverly is a mediocre fighter. Bellew has every chance of an upset, especially if Cleverly is believing the hype from his boyos.

[allahsnackbar]

"Cleverly just got a bit too close to my face so I butted him. I won't have any of that rubbish.

"I intimidate him and he is trying to come across like I don't. If he comes too close I will punch his face right in.

"He was lucky I had two belts on my hands because I butted him and he stepped back. I will not be moved — that is me and what I am about.

Well, I hardly call moving your head down a head butt. Bellew clearly thinks he's going to be out boxed if he needs to try and rattle Clev this much. I can't see this being a very intersting fight to be honest, Bellew will miss alot, go down once or twice and then lose on points.

Also, very dissappointed to see Clev's thinking about retiring already. I was hoping we'd get a good 5 or 6 years out of him yet.

well thanks for clearing that up mystic meg

whats the numbers for the lotto this week.

if thats whats going to happen then re mortgage your house and put all your money on it.

NO, didnt think so mate.

did you remortgage your house and put it on frankie stopping curtis? because you guaranteed us it would happen

are you remortgaging your house and putting it on bellew here as you are also telling us bellew will ko clev.

[brian13]

TONY BELLEW headbutted Nathan Cleverly yesterday and warned: I'll happily do it again.
Bellew made his move when he posed for pictures ahead of his attempt to snatch Cleverly's world title next month at Liverpool's Echo Arena.

He steamed into the WBO light-heavyweight champion but the fierce exchange was stopped from being a lot nastier by the intervention of a burly bodyguard who dragged them apart.

Liverpudlian Bellew has been at loggerheads with Cleverly ever since he was forced to pull out of an earlier fight against the Welshman when he failed to make the 12st 7lb limit.

The 28-year-old blasted: "Cleverly just got a bit too close to my face so I butted him. I won't have any of that rubbish.

"I intimidate him and he is trying to come across like I don't. If he comes too close I will punch his face right in.

"He was lucky I had two belts on my hands because I butted him and he stepped back. I will not be moved — that is me and what I am about.


FULLY FOCUSED ... British and Commonwealth champ Tony Bellew
"The one thing he can't do me is manhandle or bully me like he has 22 other fighters.

"He is going to get the fright of his life when my gloves touch his face and body."


Unbeaten Cleverly, 24, laughed off the attack and believes Bellew, the British and Commonwealth champ, poses little threat to his dream of unifying the division.

The maths graduate is already doing retirement sums and plans just six more fights before quitting.

And he admits a big fight against American veteran Bernard Hopkins is definitely on his radar.

Cleverly added: "I am in the sport short term, but while I am in boxing I am going to be exciting, remain unbeaten and get out at the top.

"I see myself having another six fights because the way I fight and train is very intense.

"I take risks when I fight, but I am in boxing to be a winner and will give my best shot, have big fights and get big money."

If that does happen then Cleverly will walk away with a DQ victory.

[righthook]

Well, I hardly call moving your head down a head butt. Bellew clearly thinks he's going to be out boxed if he needs to try and rattle Clev this much. I can't see this being a very intersting fight to be honest, Bellew will miss alot, go down once or twice and then lose on points.

Also, very dissappointed to see Clev's thinking about retiring already. I was hoping we'd get a good 5 or 6 years out of him yet.

well thanks for clearing that up mystic meg

whats the numbers for the lotto this week.

if thats whats going to happen then re mortgage your house and put all your money on it.

NO, didnt think so mate.

did you remortgage your house and put it on frankie stopping curtis? because you guaranteed us it would happen

are you remortgaging your house and putting it on bellew here as you are also telling us bellew will ko clev.

no i never, but i never said exactly how the fight would go on all the way through then exactly how and what round it would happen, and how he would swing and miss all the way though, so next time mate try reading posts before chatting 5hit , otherwise you look like a d ick

oh and by the way il b putting a lot of money on bellew k.o. but i wont be saying how many times he will go down exactly how the fight will go round for round, and how some one will swing and miss all the way through the fight.

[allahsnackbar]

well thanks for clearing that up mystic meg

whats the numbers for the lotto this week.

if thats whats going to happen then re mortgage your house and put all your money on it.

NO, didnt think so mate.

did you remortgage your house and put it on frankie stopping curtis? because you guaranteed us it would happen

are you remortgaging your house and putting it on bellew here as you are also telling us bellew will ko clev.

no i never, but i never said exactly how the fight would go on all the way through then exactly how and what round it would happen, and how he would swing and miss all the way though, so next time mate try reading posts before chatting 5hit , otherwise you look like a d ick

oh and by the way il b putting a lot of money on bellew k.o. but i wont be saying how many times he will go down exactly how the fight will go round for round, and how some one will swing and miss all the way through the fight.

you said frankie was different class and would stop curtis

now your saying bellew will ko clev guaranteed. please post your bet if you really are putting money on a bellew ko. i think we all know you wont be posting your bet because you will probably only have a tenner on.

you are a close friend of bellew and this makes your "unbiased" opinions on his fights pretty worthless imo as you will never pick against him. i was just wondering if you would be putting money on this sure thing. since its almost like a penalty kick, id expect you to be putting hundreds if not thousands on bellew koing clev, such is your supposed confidence.

im not holding my breath for you to prove that though.

you are all talk mate

[righthook]

did you remortgage your house and put it on frankie stopping curtis? because you guaranteed us it would happen

are you remortgaging your house and putting it on bellew here as you are also telling us bellew will ko clev.

no i never, but i never said exactly how the fight would go on all the way through then exactly how and what round it would happen, and how he would swing and miss all the way though, so next time mate try reading posts before chatting 5hit , otherwise you look like a d ick

oh and by the way il b putting a lot of money on bellew k.o. but i wont be saying how many times he will go down exactly how the fight will go round for round, and how some one will swing and miss all the way through the fight.

you said frankie was different class and would stop curtis

now your saying bellew will ko clev guaranteed. please post your bet if you really are putting money on a bellew ko. i think we all know you wont be posting your bet because you will probably only have a tenner on.

you are a close friend of bellew and this makes your "unbiased" opinions on his fights pretty worthless imo as you will never pick against him. i was just wondering if you would be putting money on this sure thing. since its almost like a penalty kick, id expect you to be putting hundreds if not thousands on bellew koing clev, such is your supposed confidence.

im not holding my breath for you to prove that though.

you are all talk mate

you can bet your ass il be putting a hell of a lot on bellew, but like you say cleverly is too good for bellew so lets both put a grand on each and put our bet slips on here, now lets see whose all talk.

cant wait for your p155 poor excuse why you wont bet, let me take a wild guess, you dont gamble. well its not gambling if its a cert

[allahsnackbar]

you can bet your ass il be putting a hell of a lot on bellew, but like you say cleverly is too good for bellew so lets both put a grand on each and put our bet slips on here, now lets see whose all talk.

cant wait for your p155 poor excuse why you wont bet, let me take a wild guess, you dont gamble. well its not gambling if its a cert

Only a grand. But if your so confident why not put more on this sure thing?

ANd if you have read my posts, I think Bellew will win by KO also but I think Clev could get him out of there as well. I realise its a close fight and not a foregone conclusion like yourself.

[righthook]

you can bet your ass il be putting a hell of a lot on bellew, but like you say cleverly is too good for bellew so lets both put a grand on each and put our bet slips on here, now lets see whose all talk.

cant wait for your p155 poor excuse why you wont bet, let me take a wild guess, you dont gamble. well its not gambling if its a cert

Only a grand. But if your so confident why not put more on this sure thing?

ANd if you have read my posts, I think Bellew will win by KO also but I think Clev could get him out of there as well. I realise its a close fight and not a foregone conclusion like yourself.

i am very confident and i am going to get great odds. but im not sitting on the fence like you, i predict a k.o. i dont know what round but a k.o is what il be betting on

[allahsnackbar]

you can bet your ass il be putting a hell of a lot on bellew, but like you say cleverly is too good for bellew so lets both put a grand on each and put our bet slips on here, now lets see whose all talk.

cant wait for your p155 poor excuse why you wont bet, let me take a wild guess, you dont gamble. well its not gambling if its a cert

Only a grand. But if your so confident why not put more on this sure thing?

ANd if you have read my posts, I think Bellew will win by KO also but I think Clev could get him out of there as well. I realise its a close fight and not a foregone conclusion like yourself.

i am very confident and i am going to get great odds. but im not sitting on the fence like you, i predict a k.o. i dont know what round but a k.o is what il be betting on

post it

[righthook]

Only a grand. But if your so confident why not put more on this sure thing?

ANd if you have read my posts, I think Bellew will win by KO also but I think Clev could get him out of there as well. I realise its a close fight and not a foregone conclusion like yourself.

i am very confident and i am going to get great odds. but im not sitting on the fence like you, i predict a k.o. i dont know what round but a k.o is what il be betting on

post it

il make you a deal if you post your bet il happily happily post mine. your saying now that a bellew k.o or cleverly k.o well put a grand on both and no matter what one comes in youl win