 Vociferous Bellew is talking up a battle of Britain with Cleverly |
Liverpool light-heavyweight Tony Bellew has stepped up his pursuit of Welshman Nathan Cleverly after winning the Commonwealth belt last Friday. "When I get Cleverly in the ring I'm going to annihilate him," said the 27-year-old Bellew, known as 'Bomber'. "He's not going to be the same after I've finished with him." Unbeaten British and European champion Cleverly, 23, is seen as one of the hottest prospects in boxing and is looking to move into world class. That is expected to happen sometime towards the end of the year, after the Cefn Fforest man completes his maths degree at Cardiff University.  | 606: DEBATE |
The Welshman's fifth-round stoppage of Antonio Brancalion for the European belt last month was his 19th successive victory. His five-year career has really taken off in the last 18 months with seven successes, six of them by knockout. Bellew, a former three-time ABA champion at heavyweight, turned professional in 2007 and has won all 13 of his fights, nine by knockout.  Cleverly is looking for the next step up after claiming European glory |
He outclassed Ghanaian Atoli Moore with a first-round stoppage on Friday to claim the Commonwealth belt, after which he was hailed by former world champion John Conteh. But Bellew is not shy of proclaiming his own virtues, and has his eyes set on hyping an exciting battle of Britain with Cleverly. "I've got Cleverly's old [Commonwealth] title, but I'll happily take the two he's got at the moment as well," said Bellew. "He keeps saying I've fought bums - I've fought the same bums as him. "I fought Nick Okoth [who went the eight-round distance with Cleverly in 2007] and smashed him to pieces in three rounds. "Just ask these guys in the trade. I've just had a guy who sparred with Nathan Cleverly and he came and sparred with me and said he's never been hit like that in his life. "You just ask these guys. They work with me and they get hammered. Anyone from the top 10 in Britain I'll fight and that includes Nathan Cleverly."
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