Liverpool’s dynamite punching Tony Bellew has stepped in to face big rival Nathan Cleverly this Saturday (21st May) at The O2 in London. Bellew, 28, will challenge for Cleverly’s WBO World Light-Heavyweight title after Braehmer was stripped of the title and the Welshman installed as champion.
Following yesterday’s events when Braehmer disgracefully pulled out of his fight against Cleverly by failing to arrive in London and then later claiming a cut eye, promoter Frank Warren has been searching for an opponent for Cleverly.
‘Bomber’ Bellew, the current Commonwealth Champion, registered his interest straight away by posting on social-networking sites that he wanted the fight against Cleverly.
A showdown between the two fighters has been building up in the last few years with both men eager to get it on and it now promises to be an explosive fight between the unbeaten big hitters.
Cleverly said, “I’m really happy that Bellew will be in the opposite corner on Saturday night. Not only will he feel my anger from Braehmer pulling out, but he’ll now pay for slagging me off in the last year. I knew we would get it on one day and that day has come a lot sooner than expected, but I’m ready for Bellew and he’s going to get knocked-out.”
Bellew, who was in training for a rematch against Ovill McKenzie, said, “I’m coming down to London to fight and believe when I say I’m going to knock Cleverly out cold. I wouldn’t have put myself forward if I didn’t think I could beat him. Two months notice or two day’s notice, I know I can beat Cleverly – I always have. For the fans, I can promise them the best fight they will see in the last ten years.”
With James DeGale’s grudge fight against George Groves for the British and Commonwealth Super-Middleweight titles as chief support, the show is now all set to be an all British double-header blockbuster.
Warren said, “The fight between Nathan and Tony has been brewing up in the last year and it’s happened sooner than expected, but I’m delighted that the fight is on and the fans are in for a real treat on Saturday night. There is nothing like big domestic fights and in this case on Saturday at The O2 we have two big title fights involving British guys and I’m expecting fireworks in the ring.”
Bellew will attend the final press conference at The O2 at midday today and meet face-to-face with Cleverly.