[Guest_Fitz_*]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/otherspor...ony-Bellew.html

It would make Cleverly a major name in British boxing, and allow him to follow in the footsteps of his idol Joe Calzaghe, who defeated Hopkins on a memorable night in Las Vegas in 2008. But first Cleverly must defeat the obdurate, tenacious Bellew, on his home patch.

The Cleverly-Bellew world title match was announced in London yesterday, though the Liverpudlian arrived over two hours late for the news conference after train delays.

Come fight night, the contest could resemble a train crash given the enmity between the pair. Bellew, five years the senior with a longer distinguished amateur pedigree has stalked ringside at Cleverly’s contests insisting he could not wait to knock out his rival.

In the meantime, ‘Clever Boy’ Cleverly has finished a degree in Applied Mathematics at Cardiff University and won the British, Commonwealth and European 175lbs titles in record time.

Jealousy, rivalry, whatever it is, or wherever it has come from, the fight is on. Big time. Cleverly accepted going into Bellew’s home patch with alacrity.
Related Articles

“It wasn’t really a tough decision. It was my choice where I wanted to fight – Wales or in Liverpool, and we were struggling to find the right venue in Wales. At the end of the day the Liverpool venue [The Echo Arena with a 10,000 spectator capacity] is almost guaranteed to sell out, and it’s in a boxing ring where the action will take place.

"Wherever we fight it is still Tony Bellew, and I’m still a world champion. I will definitely beat this guy and it is a grudge match which has developed over the years. I turned pro and won the belts, he stayed amateur and is about six fights behind me. Does he deserve a world title shot? Probably ‘no’, but it’s a fight I want to get out of the way.”

Regardless of 23-year-old Cleverly’s self-belief, Bellew brings with him his own deep faith in his own fighting nous and this contest will be a war from the build-up to the last bell.

Both men enjoy a tear-up. Both are unbeaten. Bellew insists he will come to fight.

Cleverly says he will not back down. On the same night, Oct 15, Bernard Hopkins, the oldest world boxing champion in history, now aged 47, will defend his WBC light-heavyweight world title against former champion Chad Dawson, in the United States.

Frank Warren, promoter of both Bellew and Cleverly, explained: “I have spoken with Richard Schaefer [Hopkins’s promoter, and the CEO of Oscar de la Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions] and if Bernard Hopkins comes through this, he could fight the winner of Cleverly-Bellew.

"This is a very lively division in the world at the moment. If Nathan Cleverly wins, the fight [with Hopkins] will be at the Millennium Stadium, most likely early next year. Hopkins is the fighter who has impressed me more than any other fighter in the world in the last couple of years.”

Cleverly insisted he is not looking past the challenge Bellew sets him, but is ultra-motivated at the prospect of facing Hopkins, too.

“I definitely want the Hopkins fight. I’m 24 now, and I believe still four years away from my peak. Bernard Hopkins is special. I’ve always watched him, he is a major American boxer, he oozes class, and I’m now in the position of being one fight away from beating a legend.

"I watched him for a week at close quarters when Joe Calzaghe, who was once my mentor, fought him in Las Vegas, and I think he would struggle against my style.

“I never thought at the time that I would get to fight him – I thought he’d be retired by the time I was a world champion. He seems to be getting better and better and is a genius at what he does.

“But I’ve got to beat Tony Bellew first. I won’t be taking a backward step in that fight. I know I take risks, but fans like boxers who come to fight, and who are exciting.”

[King Eugene]

This kid is getting in over his head... smh.

[Method]

When asked weeks ago on his twitter page, Hopkins didn't even know who Cleverly was. Not happenin'.

[mgrover]

at least the kids not scared to be calling out big names rather than fighting nobodies and claiming to be the greatest. although am not sure how i see it. is he calling out hopkins because and no offence to the man his physical abilities have been in decline. or is it because he wants to prove himself as a contender by taking out a ring legend.

[King Eugene]

at least the kids not scared to be calling out big names rather than fighting nobodies and claiming to be the greatest. although am not sure how i see it. is he calling out hopkins because and no offence to the man his physical abilities have been in decline. or is it because he wants to prove himself as a contender by taking out a ring legend.

He wants to attemtp to follow Calzaghe's footsteps.

[STEVENSKI]

This kid is getting in over his head... smh.

I agree but I give him credit for looking to face the biggest & best name he can & get his domestic rival out of the way first.

[STEVENSKI]

When asked weeks ago on his twitter page, Hopkins didn't even know who Cleverly was. Not happenin'.

He would make more money going to the UK than anywhere else.

[Guest_Fitz_*]

at least the kids not scared to be calling out big names rather than fighting nobodies and claiming to be the greatest. although am not sure how i see it. is he calling out hopkins because and no offence to the man his physical abilities have been in decline. or is it because he wants to prove himself as a contender by taking out a ring legend.

See this is the issue I don't like. Yeah Hopkins is on the decline, but these are the facts:

• Still regarded as a top 5 p4p fighter in the world
• Considered the best 175 fighter in the world

The man maybe is older and on the decline (hey, even Mayweather you could say that he isn't in his prime, but still a very good fighter), but one of the top fighters in the world, and the best guy at 175 at the moment.

Maybe it's all of the above? Wants to beat a ring legend, the best fighter at 175 and a top 5 p4p'er in the world.

They are great credentials for anybody at 22, 25, 29, 33 or 46. Just seems like people still treat Hopkins like an old shot fighter, and think there is an agenda when people want to fight him. It's a credit to Hopkins for where he is right now, and people should treat him like he is a top fighter in the world.
I think bringing up age and should come when he is putting up RJJ type of performances, until then, just treat him like one of the top fighters in the world, because that's what he is.

[Cshel86]

He would make more money going to the UK than anywhere else.

If Hopkins will go to the UK remains to be seen. I remember him clowning RJJ for getting knocked out by Danny Green over seas. "Roy should've known better, we all know what happens when you go over there and fight" (paraphrased)

[Method]

He'll go over seas for Calz. That's it.