BoxRec

Following his defeat to Kovalev Cleverly had doubts about his future. I remember just over a year ago Frank allegedly saying in an interview he called Cleverly numerous times to talk him out of retiring. I've not been convinced that Nathans heart is still in it since returning to the ring as a Cruiserweight. I've started to get a nagging suspicion that Cleverly joined Matchroom specifically to have a PPV payday with Bellew in what will be his final in ring apperance. I'm not a fan of Bellew at all, and don't particularly rate his punch power, but I can see him stopping Cleverly early.

I was thinking the exact same thing! Something just hasn't seemed right during the build up! Both Sky and Matchroom are favouring Bellew which is strange as both are Sky and matchroom fighters. I think your onto something here

Cashing out? There's only twelve people going to buy this PPV.

Maybe it is 'all in the eyes'. Cleverly doesn't look like he gives a fornicate to me and is merely going through the motions. Perhaps the media circus isn't for him but I'd not be surprised if Chad has a point.

chad wrote:Following his defeat to Kovalev Cleverly had doubts about his future. I remember just over a year ago Frank allegedly saying in an interview he called Cleverly numerous times to talk him out of retiring. I've not been convinced that Nathans heart is still in it since returning to the ring as a Cruiserweight. I've started to get a nagging suspicion that Cleverly joined Matchroom specifically to have a PPV payday with Bellew in what will be his final in ring apperance. I'm not a fan of Bellew at all, and don't particularly rate his punch power, but I can see him stopping Cleverly early.

Chad,it's exactly what i'm thinking.If Bellew loses it will eat away at him for years,whereas with Cleverly i don't think he would be too bothered and would move on to something else easily,not saying Cleverly won't give it everything,i just see Bellew wanting it much more.

yeah I think bellews pure determination will get him the win

id rather bellew lost thought... his excuses would be better than the fight

i dont read into the theory that if you were thinking of retiring then your hearts not in it
after a defeat / set back sometimes you just get pissed off with the set backs , ect but then some time out and you realise its best option for you and and you miss it and life without the boxing isnt so great and Clev is still young so plenty left to offer.

I've avoided commenting on this fight so far because the PPV and all the WWE style promotional shite has annoyed me so much but I agree with Chad. Before his eventual return at Cruiser, Clev pulled out of two or three fight dates. He's not a natural Cruiser, he's got no real future in the division IMO and his only chance of a big money fight was something like this. I liked Nathan in the past, was never one of those constantly knocking him but wouldn't be at all surprised if he folds on Sat and calls it a day. I won't be watching though!

Some valid points made in this thread. Have to agree, I want Clev to win but something tells me his heart is not in it anymore. I so hope he wins though Bellew is a joke!

I'm not paying £17 for Froch v GGG let alone Bellew and Cleverly.

I too, see the weakness in Cleverly, as a qualified bull-shit psychologist from the University of Oregano.

Everyone looks weak when compared to black-eyed motor mouth Bellew. Who I can't help sort of liking....

But equally, Tony isn't quite the overwhelming super-hero, all-guns blazing, freakish puncher in the ring he promotes himself to be.

I'm torn on this fight and will be until I read about it on Sunday having spent the £17 on wine and song.

Cleverly will win a dull controversial split decision leaving fans fuming along with bellew chanting for a rematch.

Which Hearn will be rubbing his hands saying what an epic fight of 2 undoubtedly great fighters returning for a 3rd match would be bedazzling fans with his silky smooth talk, charming fans out of another £16.95 to watch the ultimate classic rubber match.

Rexob wrote:Which Hearn will be rubbing his hands saying what an epic fight of 2 undoubtedly great fighters returning for a 3rd match would be bedazzling fans with his silky smooth talk, charming fans out of another £16.95 to watch the ultimate classic rubber match.

Sounds like a football stadium fight, to me.

It could easily fill out this place.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borough_Sports_Ground

Isn't it funny how the much heralded new kid on the block has seemingly begun to draw the exact same criticism his predecessor did.

Is it us, them or the system?

I quite like hearn tbf i think overall hes very good for the game hes in it for money yes, but also gotta be a brilliant buzz organising boxing events like he does.

DavidPayne wrote:Isn't it funny how the much heralded new kid on the block has seemingly begun to draw the exact same criticism his predecessor did.

Is it us, them or the system?

It's the same for any lazy brand. They listen to the customer to develop the brand and once they have the following the can go 2 ways:

1) Cash in
2) Build a long-term strategy that is customer friendly and will generate profits consistently

Boxing does seem to be very big on option 1, even the fighters seem to think that way.

I think its a cash out fight too. I just don't see the motivation, he lacks belief and self confidence for the 1st time and just seems to be going through the motions.

Maybe hes just so quietly confident that he Knows "hes going spank him again"
tony Bellew seems to need to tell everyone he belives , CLev wins this for me and hope its convincing.

jackukmma wrote:I think its a cash out fight too. I just don't see the motivation, he lacks belief and self confidence for the 1st time and just seems to be going through the motions.

For me, the best Cleverley beats the best Bellew at whatever weight but there is a doubt if we have the best Cleverley anymore. There didn't look too much wrong physically at the weigh in but until the fight we wont know about the mental side.

I'm hoping Cleverly wins a tight decision, only for the entertainment value of watching Bellew have his inevitable meltdown and declare the judges to be "fooking rats".

Re: Is Cleverly cashing out this weekend?

Probably, does it make him a worse fighter? nope.

I still think he's a more natural cruiser and the bigger man. Add that with a better workrate and engine then i see a winner.

People keep saying the weight is better for Bellews power, ive got a feeling Tony wont like Nathan landing flush anymore.

Rexob wrote:Cleverly will win a dull controversial split decision leaving fans fuming along with bellew chanting for a rematch.

X2

I think Bellew will do it this time. Clev has made his money out of boxing and he will go on to using his brain rather than his fists to earn a living. Bellew before round seven.

Bellew isn't great and I don't like him. I'm sure he's not a nasty man but he makes too much noise for me. Even since before the days where he said he'd definitely stop Bob Ajisafe, before being dropped in two and the fight going the distance. I think Ajisafe has the more ability of the two.

I thought it was a dreadful fight but even given the above, I'd have felt quite sorry for Bellew if he'd been chinned in the 11th or 12th round. Cleverly was gone and it diverted attention from the fact that Bellew was also extremely tired and I thought he might be pole-axed as Cleverly took an odd wild swing here and there. He wouldn't have deserved to lose that - and Nathan wouldn't have deserved to win.

If Nate's right hand was indeed damaged, then credit to him for not using it as an excuse. He was under sustained pressure on the ropes from halfway and I felt if he had two good hands he needed both in order to defend himself, but he didn't use it. Strangely, in the half dozen or so rights he actually threw I never noticed him wince at all.....very strange Was it damaged or wasn't it?

Apparently the answer is 'No', Cleverly was not cashing out this weekend.

However, it's now obvious he's trying to cash out with a stadium fight for the rubber match