By Daniel Burns: Newly crowned W.B.O light heavyweight champion Nathan Cleverly (22-0, 11 KO’s) will put his title on the line against arch rival, British and commonwealth champion Tony “the bomber” Bellew (16-0, 10 KO’s) in an all British showdown, on 15th October at the Liverpool Echo Arena.

Bellew who got drafted in as a late replacement back in May for Cleverly because of the then W.B.O champion Juergen Braehmer (36-2, 29 KO’s) who failed to show up, was unable to make the 12 and a half stone weight limit on short notice. But after a controversial press conference between the two in which words were exchanged and after squaring up to each other, the fight has excelled into a must see fight for the British boxing fans.

Liverpudlian and hard hitting Bellew, has managed to seal his dream fight and take on the challenge of winning a world title because of the rivalry between him and Cleverly. He has been calling Cleverly out for a couple of years now and is finally getting his chance against the Welsh superstar. Bellew is unproven at world level and has only fought at domestic level. This will be a huge step up in class when he faces Cleverly and a tough task to defeat the champion.

Nathan Cleverly’s career has gone from strength to strength over the past few years and it has been enjoyable to watch this man fight. He had to keep a level head back in May after two of his opponents pulled out for different reasons and had to fight Alesky Kuziemski (22-3, 6 KO’s) on a few days notice. It wasn’t the way the Welshman wanted to win the world title but he had earned the shot to challenge for it. He cleared up the domestic scene in Britain and went on to clear up the European scene to, being untouchable and unbeatable he needed more of a challenge against better opposition.

The key for Tony Bellew to win this fight is, he needs to drag Cleverly in to a fight and get him to exchange blows in the centre of the ring. Bellew is well known for his punching power and he will feel if he can get Cleverly to exchange with him, he will have the edge and could cause problems for Cleverly. Bellew has a long jab and he should look to use it when Cleverly is pressuring and should look to keep him out of reach.

Nathan Cleverly has many qualities as a fighter. The key for him to win this fight is he must look for his combinations. Cleverly is excellent at putting combinations together and the speed he does them at gives fighters all sorts of problems. He should look to try and push Bellew back on to the ropes and unleash his combinations. Cleverly should also try and get on top of Bellew as soon as the fight begins, Cleverly is excellent and coming forward and putting pressure on his opponents, also which seems to slide under the radar and which I have noticed in his last few fights, Cleverly is excellent at cutting off the ring and trapping his opponent and he should look to do that in this fight. Bellew hasn’t faced anyone with the qualities that Cleverly processes and I believe this will be the defining factor for the fight.

No doubt this is going to be a great domestic clash against two hungry fighters. Will Tony Bellew be able to detonate his bombs on Nathan Cleverly? Or will the qualities and experience of Nathan Cleverly be too much for the Bomber in Liverpool?

Good luck to both Boxers.

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