Nathan Cleverly vs Tony Bellew Predictions

WBO Light Heavyweight title, May 21st at the 02 Arena on Sky Box Office.

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Betting Odds

Cleverly 2/9 Bellew 3/1


Nathan Cleverly
Cefn Fforest, Wales
24 years old
6,1 1/2 ft
21-0 (10KO's)
Former Commonwealth. British & European Light Heavyweight Champion
Current WBO Light Heavyweight Champion
ESB No.8, The RING No.6
ESB British No.1

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Notable Fights
UD12 Win Nadjib Mohammedi
TKO10 Win Karo Murat
TKO5 Win Antonio Brancolion
TKO7 Win Danny McIntosh
UD12 Win Toney Oakey


[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOoEZ-cFizw"]

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Amateur Record
32-4

What he 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."



Tony "The Bomber" Bellew aka ESB Legend
Liverpool, England
28 years old
6,2 1/2 ft
15-0 (10 KO's)
Curent Commonwealth Light Heavyweight Champion
ESB British No.3

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Notable Fights
TKO8 Win Ovil McEnzie
UD12 Win Bob Ajisafe
TKO1 Win Atoli Moore
TKO1 Win Jindrich Velecky
TKO4 Win Matthew Ellis

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbn4sWkWhEE[/ame]

Amateur Record
40-7

What he 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."


How it happend

Its been a bizzare 24 hours. Around this time yesterday the news broke that Braehmer wasn't showing up. Nobody was shocked but we were all bloody pissed off. Another Frank Warren PPV card falling apart. Various names were thrown into hat by us fans such as Zsolt Erdei, Gabriel Campillo and even Roy Jones Jnr. It was no suprise to see Eastside's very own Tony Bellew get a mention. It was laughed of by many, and for good reason. Tony is tight at the weight with a 10 week training camp, so 3 days notice seemed almost crazy. People inside the game said there was no chance, Frank Warren even issued a press release cooling the rumours. Then Tony started twittering, and the momentum began to swing......

Frank called, he's my manager and I trust him so watch this space people.. Anything is possible in the squared circle ;-)

I want the fight, I'm losing weight as we speak!! I'm happy to do it!! This is the fight business and I WANNA FIGHT!!!!

The weight won't be an issue people, I'll get the weight off! Only thing that matters is do YOU people really wanna see it?? I really DO!!

For all those concerned I'm not a stone over!! I'm 6 1/2 pounds over!! I'm sitting and relaxing and daydreaming right now.. ;-) I'll do it!

It's getting closer people!! ;-)

It's not confirmed yet, final details just need ironing out and the fight is.. I'm very confident the fight will go ahead... Night Tweeps..


Then this morning we got the press release confirming the fight was on and had save the bill. Many British fans thinks its a better fight.


The Fight

Get the obvious out of the way. Bellew is coming in at 3 days notice. Its a huge disasdvantage in a fight where he would already be a heavy underdog. Odds of 3/1 seem extremly short to me. He has claimed to be only 6lbs over but has been known to struggle to get his huge frame down to Light Heavyweight even with a full training camp. Many boxing fans feel his best days would be at Cruiserweight. Add to that he is coming his two career worst performances hitting the deck a few times agaisnt domestic gate keepers Bob Ajisafe and Ovil McEnzie. He showed an alarming number of flaws in those fights the deck is certainly stacked agaisnt Bellew. Its also his first fight with new trainers and coming of an injury he won't of had time to work on much with them.

But he is a live underdog. We know he can punch. He has a huge reach and when he actually tries to box he looks good. He is fearless and brave, can get of the floor and fight back. He goes into the ring with absolutley nothing to lose and theres nothing more dangerous than that. Cleverly has been preparing for a southpaw in Braehmer, and he struggled last time out with a late replacment. With no real build up fitness will be an issue, so its more than likley Bellew will jsut go for broke in the early rounds.

Trying to take it to the later rounds agaisnt the super fit Cleverly will be a dangerous game. Nathan is always in terific shape and like his former stable mate Joe Calzaghe can fight at a relentliss pace for 12 rounds. He probably does not have the same natural power as his opponent on saturday but he has shown in 12 rounds fights he is able to get his opponent out of there using his speed and accuarcy to wear the man down. He has dominated fighters far superior to those Bellew has struggled with. Cleverlys defence is not spectacular, but its better than Bellews and he has shown to have a strong chin.

Look for Bellew to come out fast and throwing bombs from the off. The crowd will be excited but it will only be playing into Cleverlys hands. The welshman will enjoy the tear up while it lasts, and there might even be a point where he looks hurt, but as the fight moves past the opening rounds he will be able to keep the pace up and start to take control. Bellew will be brave and will get of the floor a couple of times but his corner will pull him out before the seconed half of the fight saving him from more punishment.

Nathan Cleverly by Corner Retirment Round 5.

 

Anyone that says Bellew please explain why. Because he posts on here is not a valid reason.

 

You wernt impressed with the Murat performance???

 

Will set up a betfair account for 5-1 on Bellew to win. Minimum bet £100 any takers??