Welshman retains world title in Liverpool

Nathan Cleverly came through his toughest test tonight when the Cefn Forest fighter worked his way to a majority points victory over a tough challenger Tony Bellew at the Echo Arena.

The 24 year-old showed maturity beyond his six-year career to hold off a strong challenge from the Liverpudlian and successfully defend his WBO light-heavyweight title for the second time.

The champion came out swinging the first round and tried to take the authority from the off although Bellew never let the occasion overawe him and produced a flurry in the second that had the home supporters on their feet. Cleverly shook his head and raised his hands, poking his tongue out in defiance and seemed to make the Liverpool crowd turn against him even more which led to Bellew's best spell in the fight.

‘The Bomber’ then took control with his jab, leading off and frustrating Cleverly which came to a head in the fifth when ‘Clev’ was warned for a low blow by referee Richie Davies.

Although neither fighter was warned again, low blows seemed to be exchanged on more than one occasion and heads rubbed together as the bout had a prolonged spell on the inside, with both fighters willing to stand and trade.

The cleaner and more frequent work was coming from Cleverly in the middle rounds as he rocked Bellew’s head back more than once and ‘The Scouser’ looked tired from the seventh round, finding it hard to catch the title holder clean.

The British champion showed guts and came back in the tenth as he got back to keeping the fight behind his jab and as the fight moved into the final two rounds, neither fighter believed they had the fight sewn up.

Cleverly finished the stronger though, just out-working the home city fighter and as the bell rang, both fighters embraced for the first time since almost taking their argument to the car park of the O2 in May.

The scores were totalled after an edgy wait and in the end Cleverly had his hand raised with the judges’ cards coming back 114-114, 117-112 and 116-113.

I scored the bout 116-114 to the Welshman who deserved his win for sheer grit and determination alone.

The WBO champion was pleased with his performance as he spoke to BoxNation after the bout.

“I thought he would tire more than he did but he held in there,” explained Cleverly.

“He is a brilliant challenger. He is one of the hardest workers out there.

“I wanted to prove that I could go into a dangerous opponent’s backyard and come out victorious.

“I took some big shots and came back with shots of my own and it made for a great fight."

With the needle in the build-up, both fighters looked keen to finally put an end to the animosisty between them and Cleverly acknowledged Bellew for his part in an enthralling contest.

“I know there was bad blood but we want to be friends really,” he said.

“I didn’t want an easy defence and I hope people now believe that I am a true world champion.

"I’d like to have the winner of Hopkins and Dawson if not, WBA champion Beibut Shumenov.

Bellew, who was visibly upset at the post-fight interview, was gracious in defeat and apologised to his two children who the 28 year-old had promised to win the title for.

“He took more than I thought he could. Nathan is a good champion.

“He matched me. I am gutted but I have always said I would fight anyone.

“Rivalries happen, but at the end of the day we have respect for each other,” said Bellew.

Frank Warren was asked about a rematch between the two but he and Cleverly hinted that a unification with the winner of Bernard Hopkins and Chad Dawson’s WBC title bout or even a match-up with WBA belt holder Beibut Shumenov could happen next year.

“There weren’t any losers tonight,” stated Warren at ringside. "I am sure the public want it (a rematch) but let these two guys have their rest.

“We will see what happens with tonight’s fight (Hopkins v Dawson) and we will make a decision after that.”

View my scorecard here: http://www.worldboxingnews.net/2011/10/live-wbn-scorecard-wbo-title-nathan.html