By James Slater: Saturday night’s supporting bout between arch-rivals James DeGale and George Groves has some genuine competition for distinction of grudge-match of the night. Today at a press conference to officially announce how Liverpool’s unbeaten Commonwealth champ Tony Bellew will step in at short notice to face unbeaten Welsh star Nathan Cleverly, the two traded insults and, almost, blows.
For whatever reason, ever since he has been calling for a fight with 24-year-old Cleverly, Bellew has had a dislike for the maths graduate. Stating that he will knock Cleverly out on Saturday night, Bellew, 15-0(10) seemed annoyed when the man who has captured British Commonwealth and European titles refereed to him as “not as good as Braehmer.”
Cleverly was, of course, talking about his original foe for Saturday, in Germany’s Juergen Braehmer – who pulled out at exasperatingly short notice citing a cut eye. 28-year-old Bellew deserves enormous credit for a agreeing to come in at short notice (even if he was in training for a July return with Ovill McKenzie). Yet at today’s conference, Bellew seemed angered at how “Clev” was unwilling to give him anything in the way of credit.
“[He’s] not as good as Braehmer, not as good,” Cleverly said when asked what sort of a test he expects from Bellew.
“I’m much better,” Bellew countered.
(Cleverly) “Braehmer’s proven at world class, this guy’s got a Commonwealth title. I’ve won the British, the Commonwealth and the European. I’ll only call myself world champion when I win on Saturday night.”
(Bellew) “I’m sure, he wouldn’t do what I’m doing. Everyone in this room knows that. 24-hours, 24-days, 24-months, it doesn’t matter, I’m gonna beat him. I’ll hit him and he’ll stay hit.”
(Clevely) “If there’s anyone getting knocked out it’s you. I said I’ll give you a free shot…”
(Bellew) “You give me a free shot and you’ll wake up in a hospital! All I say is, don’t run.”
(Cleverly) “What, run from you? Be a man and fight. You’re dead at the weight, you’re legs are gone. You’re a bum! I’ll smash you.”
(Bellew) “All that’s gonna get smashed is your face; your nose.”
(Clevely) “I’ll take you outside..”
(Bellew) “Let’s do it right now, come on you f****ng rat!”
(Cleverly) “You nutter. You want locking up, man!”
During this, the most lively verbal exchange between the two warriors who will contest the WBO 175-pound title on Saturday, an assortment of security and other staff got between the two. Bellew, genuinely angry, made a real attempt at getting to Cleverly, 21-0(10) and laying some unpaid hurt on him – before the slightly cooler Welshman made his “you want locking up” comment.
We’ve seen many a prearranged press conference before, where two fighters have traded mock insults in a way intended to boost ticket sales. Today’s conference was different: these two have genuine dislike for one another.
Promoter Frank Warren, with his ability at saving a show with some frantic last-minute calls, may have unleashed upon the paying public a fierce and hugely entertaining grudge-fight that will long be remembered.
If puncher Bellew is strong enough weight-wise (he was unwilling to state his current weight today) he could well give Cleverly a savage argument in the ring. If this is the case, Sunday’s headlines regarding the “THIS IS IT” card will be dominated not by Groves-DeGale, but by the last-minute headliner!