Joshua, Quigg, McDonnell and Callum Smith also star
Wednesday 22 October 2014 15:16, UK
Tony Bellew will seek his revenge against Nathan Cleverly when the arch rivals clash in a hugely-anticipated rematch next month, exclusively live on Sky Sports Box Office.
The pair will go head to head on 22 November in a huge night for British boxing in Bellew’s home town of Liverpool, three years after Cleverly narrowly defeated Bellew to retain his WBO light heavyweight title.
The mouth-watering contest headlines a show that boasts an undercard featuring James DeGale and undefeated heavyweight Anthony Joshua MBE.
Sky Sports Box Office viewers can also enjoy two world title fights, as Scott Quigg defends his WBA world super-bantamweight title for a fifth time against Hidenori Otake and Jamie McDonnell defends his WBA world bantamweight title against Walberto Ramos.
Also, unbeaten Liverpool sensation Callum Smith faces former world title challenger Nikola Sjekloca in an official eliminator for the WBC super middleweight title.
He talks too much and although I’ve beaten him before in front of his home fans, I am going to KO him this time around.
Cleverly, who won the first fight between them in 2011 said: “Many people have asked me why I am going back to Liverpool to fight Tony Bellew again and the answer is simple – I don’t like him.
“He talks too much and although I’ve beaten him before in front of his home fans, I am going to KO him this time around. He will not hear the final bell, I can guarantee you that. I will deal with him all over again and become a two-weight world champion.”
Bellew said: “I have been waiting for this fight for three years and now it is here revenge is the only thing on my mind. I have seen his horrible face in my head many nights since the fight but I have not had the chance to make it right.
This is a chapter in my life that I need to close and I will do that by ending Nathan Cleverly’s career on November 22
“This is a chapter in my life that I need to close and I will do that by ending Nathan Cleverly’s career on November 22. I am in the sport to be successful and win titles but this fight means more to me than any of that.
"This is personal, and he will not want to enter a boxing ring after I have finished with him. It’s my first headlining show on Sky Sports Box Office and that just underlines how big this fight is. I am going to make sure my performance is a destructive and memorable one.”
Adam Smith, executive producer of Sky Sports boxing said: “This fight has it all; massive rivalry, huge support for both fighters and a build-up that may even have more tension than Froch v Groves! Nothing excites the British public more than a grudge match and a rematch.
"On 22 November Liverpool’s Echo Arena will be rocking. With a fantastic undercard featuring both DeGale and Joshua, it’s sure to be a dramatic and exciting night of boxing.”
The fights confirmed for 22 November at Liverpool’s Echo Arena include:
Nathan Cleverly v Tony Bellew
Eliminator for world cruiserweight title
Scott Quigg v Hidenori Otake
WBA world super-bantamweight title
Jamie McDonnell v Walberto Ramos
WBA world bantamweight title
Anthony Joshua v Michael Sprott
Final eliminator for British heavyweight title
Callum Smith v Nikola Sjekloca
Final eliminator for WBC super middleweight title
Sky Sports viewers can follow the build-up to the big fight with unprecedented access to both boxers and their training camps on documentary series ‘Behind the Ropes’. ‘Gloves Are Off’ will see Cleverly and Bellew confront each other face-to-face ahead of 22 November and Sky Sports’ weekly show ‘Ringside’ will also feature news and interviews with boxers and experts.
Cleverly v Bellew II is part of an unrivalled Autumn of sport on Sky Sports with live coverage of Autumn International rugby union including England v New Zealand, football action from the Barclays Premier League, UEFA Champions League, Sky Bet Football League and Capital One Cup, the First Utility Super League Grand Final, NFL International Series, international cricket including England’s trip to Sri Lanka, tennis from the O2 with the ATP World Finals and the finale of the Formula 1 season.
