'Bellew v McKenzie is a 50/50 fight' says Cleverly

It’s hard to remember a hotter pre-fight press conference than when light-heavyweights Nathan Cleverly and Tony Bellew clashed in May where their rivalry threatened to boil over. With one fighter having a change of opponent ahead of the biggest fight of his career and the other having to lose a substantial amount of weight in 36 hours, it was understandable that both fighters were edgy. But few expected the verbal, and almost physical, fireworks that erupted between WBO champion, Cleverly and Commonwealth champion, Bellew.

Since that day, when Liverpudlian Bellew (15-0 10 KO’s) labelled Cleverly “a f****** rat” live on TV, he’s continued to name call, most recently via a BoxRec interview by likening Cleverly (22-0 10 KO’s) to Eastenders soap star Nick Cotton.

But Cleverly has shown maturity, despite being the younger man at 24 years old compared to Bellew’s 28 years, by refusing to engage in a war of words.

“At the end of the day, I can’t say I dislike the guy. I don’t know him personally so I can’t really comment on whether I dislike or even like the guy.” he said.

Explaining his response to Bellew’s interruptions and insults at the infamous press conference, Cleverly said, “When I have someone trying to challenge me by mouthing off and talking rather than actually producing the goods then it’s just no need for it. So, that’s the reason I obviously put a few verbals back – to try and get my point across.”

Bellew’s repeatedly claimed that Cleverly is intimidated by him saying he makes him act out of character but casually sitting back, Cleverly chuckled to that question and summed the rivalry up shortly. He commented, “I don’t get wound up by that guy because he’s just another fighter and it’s just another fight. What gives it some extra spice is that he’s a UK fighter, so a rivalry is automatic.”

In a more diplomatic tone than Bellew’s boasts, Cleverly outlined his mentality by saying, “This is a business, boxing is a business and it’s a sport where there’s a lot of intensity. With me being undefeated and being a winner, obviously, that’s the way I feel it’s going to stay.”

While Bellew’s conduct may be entertaining, it’s only a week on since David Haye was lambasted by press and public for personal insults while Cleverly acts more like a role model and opts for slightly more mannered behaviour that can only benefit boxing’s image in the mainstream. For Bellew to ever get a fight with Cleverly he’s got to overcome former foe, Ovill McKenzie next week in a rematch of their Commonwealth title fight with the British title added to the reward for the winner. Having seen McKenzie up close after sparring him this week, Cleverly is expecting an exciting fight.

“In the first fight McKenzie had a good start and Bellew came on well in the mid-rounds but up until the stoppage it was quite an even fight. I think this one’s going to be a good fight too,” he said.

But the Welsh world champion can’t predict the winner. “Provided McKenzie takes in the right mentality, doesn’t go into sparring partner mode and really goes to win the fight then I think he could cause an upset. But I think Bellew will be switched on for it, so I’d make it a 50/50 fight really. I genuinely think it’s a 50/50 fight, it could go either way.”

Even though Bellew was undoubtedly a class amateur, he’s yet to test the waters at European level or fight an opponent that warrants a world title bid. His attempts to talk his way to a world title are obviously understandable given the financial capability of an all British world title fight. If Cleverly was to defeat Bellew then that’s what’s he’s expected to do, anything less than a convincing win would see Cleverly criticised for not dominating an un-tested opponent. He’s in a no win situation but it’s important to remember is that he’s in the driving seat after proving himself at Commonwealth, British, European and world level.

Not to say Bellew isn’t capable of doing the same, because he is – but he hasn’t, yet. As the saying goes, Cleverly has bigger fish to fry and it’s up to him whether he does so.