Cleverly-Bellew undercard presser produces fighting words

By Terence Dooley 

Tony Bellew’s rematch against Nathan Cleverly at Liverpool’s Echo Arena  on Saturday  night has been as eagerly anticipated as a football derby amongst a large section of U.K. boxing fans so it was a fitting choice by Matchroom to split the final presser into two halves.

The headlining fighters will take to the dais  tomorrow , but this afternoon's session featuring the undercard fighters provided plenty to talk about as a brace of visiting fighters vowed to go home with world title belts.

Argentine’s Javier Nicolas Chacon tackles Doncaster’s Jamie McDonnell, 28, for the WBA bantamweight title on the undercard; the 33-year-old has vowed to belie his age, defy the odds and hand the defending titlist his third defeat. 

“I was training to defend my Latin American title,” declared the visiting Chacon,  20-2 (5) . “We'll see who gets the stoppage on the night,” was his response to McDonnell’s claim that he will end the fight early before heading into next year’s unification fight with WBO holder Tomoki Kameda. 

“That's the dream fight,” declared McDonnell, 24-2-1 (11). “Two belts on the line in Vegas— what more could you ask for.”

Eddie Hearn, the show’s promoter reiterated that the Kameda fight will be available should his man get past Chacon, but he warned McDonnell about the dangers posed by  Saturday’s  opponent. “This is a much stiffer test than the [aborted Walberto] Ramos fight—it's a big fight.”

Bury’s Scott Quigg, 26, is also in action, he defends his WBA Super bantamweight title against Japan’s 33-year-old Hidenori Otake, 22-1-3 (9); Quigg, 29-0-2 (22), told the assembled press that he is living proof of the saying: “Train hard, fight easy.”

“I have been getting rid of people early because of the work me and [trainer] Joe [Gallagher] put in at the gym.  I've got to go in there  on Saturday  night and take care of business.”

Otake echoed Chacon’s vow by declaring that his entire country is behind him and that: “I am going for the stoppage win.”

The conference turned into a surreal game of boxing musical chairs as Quigg, McDonnell, Otake and Ramos left the stage only to be replaced by Anthony Joshua, Liverpool's Callum Smith, Michael Spott, Bradley Saunders, Nikola Sjekloca and the Montenegro-based opponent’s interpreter. 

Hearn kicked off the second part of the marathon by insisting that WBC International 168lb title-holder Smith, 24, is potentially facing his toughest night thus far in the pro ranks.  He said: “He’s had 10 KOs in 14 fights—this is his biggest test.” 

“It's a tough fight, but one I am ready for,” added Smith.  “Sjekloca is by far the best name on my CV.  You turn pro to fight in good, competitive fights.”

“I've seen a few videos of Callum,” stated Sjekloca, 28-2 (8)—his defeats came on points against Sakio Bika and Arthur Abraham (in 2013 and 2014 respectively).  “Callum is an up and coming fighter, I am a proven fighter.”

The 36-year-old former amateur star is not the only proven commodity on the bill, Reading’s Michael Sprott, 42-22 (17),  took part in the Super 8 Heavyweight Tournament in New Zealand in June, reaching the final by beating Martin Rogan (W3), Anthony Nansen (W3) before losing to eventual winner Kali Meehan (L KO 1).

Although now mostly used as a foil for up-and-comers, the 39-year-old believes that he can spring an upset by using Joshua’s size to his advantage, saying: “I have boxed a lot of big men and I always do better with the bigger guys than smaller ones.”

London's Joshua has raced to 9-0 (9) since turning professional in October of last year.  The 2012 Olympic gold medallist is already being mentioned alongside proven championship fighters such as David Price, Eddie Chambers, Tyson Fury and Dereck Chisora, but the 25-year-old refuses to look beyond this weekend’s engagement and he has advised Price to do the same.  “I am concentrating on my fights,” he said.  “Fury, Chambers and Price should so the same and win some belts so I can take them off them.  Overlooking fighters at heavyweight is very dangerous—it’s one step at a time.  He's mixed at a good level—he sparred the Klitschkos—but I am feeling relaxed ahead of this one.”

Sedgefield's Saunders is a recent addition to the Matchroom stable.  The 28-year-old makes his Sky debut  on Saturday , he believes that a busy 2015 awaits should he get past Ivans Levickis.  The numerically bewildering 13-14 (12) 22-year-old Latvian is unlikely to spring an upset in this one, but he has not been stopped since a third-round KO to Luca Giacon last December so should provide Saunders with rounds. 

“I can't wait for my Sky Sports debut  on Saturday ,” said Saunders, 10-0 (8).  “I want some rounds under my belt for a huge 2015.”

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