Comments Thread For: Bellew's Final Thoughts; Rimmer and Dodson Back Him

[BIGPOPPAPUMP]

WBO light-heavyweight titlist Nathan Cleverly makes the first defence of his crown against British and Commonwealth boss Tony Bellew at Liverpool’s Echo Arena live on BoxNation, Sky channel 456, tonight in a domestic showdown that has bubbled away ever since the two exchanged words at the presser for their aborted May 21st meeting.

[Click Here To Read More]

[SAJ10]

Cracking fight!!!! had it Cleverly by 4. Bellew has earned my respect tonight! Proved he can box and caused Cleverly trouble early with the double jab. Respect to Bellew who had studied Cleverly as he said inside out and picked up on some things that worked.

Cleverly chin impressed me tonight. Tbh after he got rocked by Kusiemski in his last fight I wondered about it, even though his chin has always stood up in every other fight.

But with DeGale and Froch who sparred with Bellew saying he's a big puncher and hits very hard - and both expected that if he caught Clev clean he'd ko him, well, Clev took plenty of flush shots and was fine. At no point did Cleverly look in any trouble.

Clev likes a war and that's what we got tonight. However, if he wants to move onto elite level he needs more learning fights. Bellew showed tonight the jab and double jab caused Cleverly problems.

Until, he learns how to move and slip to and come underneath the jab etc - all the tricks to bypass the jab, he won't beat the top guys.

He's still a way from being ready for the elite. Tonight that was proven again, as Bellew hadn't mixed about domestic level, albeit a big puncher.

Shumenov would be his best move - Hopkins, Dawson, Pascal, forget it at the moment.

Clev - you're 24 - slow down and learn you're trade. What's the rush?!

You have to learn to box more - you have ability but if you don't start learning - then the elite will outbox you big time. Not everybody is going to stand and trade with you.