Nathan Cleverly has warmed up for his rematch with Tony Bellew with an audacious Sky Sports interview in which his rival walked out.
The Cefn Fforest boxer will fight Bellew at Liverpool’s Echo Arena this Saturday, November 22, three years after beating him by a points decision.
The original bout was at light-heavyweight but both boxers have moved up to cruiserweight since, with Cleverly eyeing up a world title fight if he wins.
During the head-to-head interview Cleverly said: “This guy is a bully boy. I can’t say I hate the guy.
“I’m not wasting my emotion on him. He doesn’t deserve that.
“This guy is bitter, he’s never got over his first defeat. If you did KO me I’d get up and pat you on the back.
“But when I beat you again, there’ll be silence.”
The rivalry previously sparked up when it was announced the fight would be in Liverpool’s Echo Arena, in Bellew’s hometown for the second time.
Insults were shared at a press conference on October 2.
Cleverly responded robustly to Bellew’s claims that he “couldn’t sell out a phonebox”.
He said: “When I splatter you for the second time in Liverpool, I’ll be fighting for my world title in the Millennium Stadium and all the fans are going to be behind me.
“The only time the Liverpool Arena sold out is when I’m in town.
“He’s still fat and he’s getting put out. Two-nil, in his hometown again.”