Cleverly vs Bellew Possible For Next Year, Tension Begins

Nathan Cleverly will challenge for the WBO interim light-heavyweight title on December 11 at the Liverpool Echo Arena.

The Welshman had been hoping to challenge Jurgen Braehmer.

But it looks like the German will instead be involved in a unification fight, if he wins an appeal against a lengthy prison sentence.

With the current situation unclear, promoter Frank Warren has delivered the next best thing for Cleverly, who could find himself instated as full champion early in 2011.

"It would cap a great year for me," said the 23-year-old.

"I've also won the European title in 2010, and graduated from university.

"If somebody had told me this would happen 18 months ago, I would not have believed them."

Cleverly could also meet domestic foe Tony Bellew next year, and the pair exchanged insults during a fiery press conference in London.

Bellew, who defends his Commonwealth light-heavyweight title on the same card as Cleverly, told his younger rival he would knock him out.

But Cleverly stuck by an assertion that he remains a couple of levels above the scouser.

"I'll give you a free shot on my chin, and you still won't be able to put me over," he told Bellew.