Cleverly: Tomorrow is the calm before the Bellew storm

By Andy Clark

Posted on July 11, 2014

Nathan Cleverly admits that there is plenty of pressure on both Tony Bellew and himself to get through their fights tomorrow night at the Echo Arena in Liverpool, live on Sky Sports, in order to set up a huge rematch.

Cleverly returns to the scene of his WBO World Light Heavyweight title triumph over Bellew in October 2011, and since then their bitter rivalry has shown no signs of cooling. Promoter Eddie Hearn has dubbed the show Collision Course as he looks to set up a long-awaited tussle between the pair later in the year to put the bad-blood to rest once and for all.

Before such a firecracker of a clash can be negotiated though, both men must come through tough South American assignments in only their second bouts at Cruiserweight. Bellew faces Brazilian KO merchant Julio Cesar Dos Santos while Cleverly says he is on red alert against dangerous Uruguayan Alejandro Valori.

“He seems confident and he’s got nothing to lose so he’s going to give it a good go and I can’t afford to slip-up,” said Cleverly, who scaled 14st 2lbs 11oz, heavier than his 13st 13lbs 10oz opponent.

“It’s the calm before storm really, we both have business to take care of tomorrow first but this is ‘Collision Course’ – the idea is that Bellew and I both win and we get the rematch on. But until that business is done you cannot fully focus on it.

“Sometimes you can be in danger of thinking one step ahead when you have something right in front of you. I am very confident I will do the business on Saturday, Tony Bellew should do the same against his guy, and then we’re going to get it on and you will see some more fireworks between us I bet.”

Bellew and Cleverly lead a star-studded line up in Liverpool with local favourites mixing with Olympic heroes.

Super Middleweight talents Rocky Fielding and Callum Smith look to add to their unbeaten records with fights against Noe Gonzalez Alcoba and Vladine Biosse, while Callum’s older brother Stephen keeps busy in an eight-round clash as he prepares to fight for a World title in the new season.

Olympic gold medal stars Anthony Joshua MBE and Luke Campbell MBE close their first seasons in their first action in Liverpool, with Joshua facing Matt Skelton while Campbell’s opponent will be announced soon. They are joined by Team GB teammate and bronze medallist Anthony Ogogo who faces Sheffield’s Wayne Reed.

Unbeaten Liverpool Featherweight John Quigley is in his 13th fight on the bill which is completed by former Team GB starlet Gamal Yafai and unbeaten Cambridge Lightweight Tommy Martin.

Tickets are on sale priced £30, £40, £60 and ringside seats at £100 available from the Echo Arena on 0844 8000 400 and at www.echoarena.com

VIP tickets priced at £150 are exclusively available from Matchroom Sport on 01277 359900 and atwww.matchroomboxing.com

RUNNING ORDER (Subject to change) and weights

5.30pm 8 x 3 mins Featherweight Contest

JOHN QUIGLEY (9st 3lbs 12oz) v IAN BAILEY (9st 2lbs)

(Liverpool) (Slough)

6pm 6 x 3 mins Lightweight Contest

TOMMY MARTIN (9st 11lbs) v AINSLEY SEIVWRIGHT (9st 10lbs 12oz)

(Cambridge) (Chelmsley Wood)

6.30pm 4 x 3 mins Super Bantamweight Contest

GAMAL YAFAI (8st 12lbs 12oz) v REYNALDO CAJINA (8st 12lbs)

(Birmingham) (Spain/Nicaragua)