Last night, at the Liverpool Echo Arena, Tony Bellew beat Nathan Cleverly by a split decision, thereby avenging the defeat he suffered at the hands of the Welshman some three years ago.
The two cruiserweights, who have very little time for each other, fought until the end before the judge?s scorecards were revealed as thus:-
? 115-114 (in favour of Cleverly)
? 116-112 (in favour of Bellew)
? 115-113 (in favour of Bellew)
The win now sets Bellew up for a world title tilt but with it being a split decision there is also the possibility of a third fight between the two, quite possibly at the Millenium Stadium, in Cardiff, with Bellew confirming afterwards,
‘Let’s do it.?
As for their verdicts on the fight, Bellew had this to say,
‘I was getting tagged but I was just walking through it.’
‘I love the sport and the glory of it – I just can’t quit. ?
‘I feel like crying – I’m so happy to get home to my three kids. Winning means so much to me. I was gutted about the split decision, I think I won nine rounds.?
‘I got him in the corner and roughed him up, it was old school. It was only after seven rounds when I realised I wouldn’t get hit with a big shot. I began to creep forward and he was always on the back foot.’
And as for the beaten Cleverly, he had this to say,
‘It shows my character, I have come up a weight. His strength showed in the second half. He was using his strength and made it pay. One-one, maybe we will have third fight.?
Although the action was fast and furious, it appeared that Cleverly was hampered by a hand injury that saw his attacks restricted and could well have affected the outcome.
But for the moment, the plaudits belong to Bellew who now has a third attempt to make his mark at world title level after falling short on two previous occasions.
Bellew Gets His Revenge
