Nathan Cleverly says he has respect for Tony Bellew – Boxing news
The current World Boxing Organisation light heavyweight world champion, Nathan Cleverly, has revealed he respects the reigning Commonwealth light heavyweight champion Tony Bellew.
The Welsh pugilist believes it is very difficult to get motivation if one does not have any respect for his opponent.
The 24-year-old undefeated Welsh prospect, Cleverly, who holds a record of winning all of his 22 professional fights, with 11 of his wins coming by the way of a knockout, is set to defend his WBO light heavyweight title against the Wavertree Bomber, Tony
Bellew on October 15, 2011 at the Liverpool Echo Arena.
Cleverly was previously scheduled to fight Bellew in May but the fight did not happen as Bellew was counted out due to weight problems.
However Cleverly and Bellew both have clashed repeatedly at the press conferences especially in one of their press conferences which was held back in May 2011 at the O2 in London. In that presser, the pair literally came to blows before the security had
to separate them. Therefore, Cleverly admitted this fight is a big challenge for him as he does not have any option except winning it.
“I’m looking forward to the fight right now,” he said. “A lot has been said, and there has been a lot of hype around the fight, but I’m glad all the press conferences are done now and I can concentrate on training.”
“I’m raring to go, I’ve been training well and there’s not that long to go until we can finally see who’s number one, once and for all. It’s a challenge and I’m not taking it lightly. I have respect for my opponent, at the end of the day once you’re in that
ring you’ve got to have respect for your opponent,” he said.
There is not much time left now in this much-anticipated bout and all that is left to see is whether Cleverly will be able to beat Bellew or not. Bellew also holds an unbeaten record of winning all of his 16 professional fights including 10 by the way of
a knockout.
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