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Bellew headbutts Cleverly at fiery press conference

Nathan Cleverly stands face-to-face with Tony Bellew © PA Photos

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The mutual ill-feeling between Nathan Cleverly and Tony Bellew heightened at a stormy press conference ahead of their October 15 clash for the WBO light-heavyweight title.

Bellew headbutted Cleverly as the pair posed for photos to promote the Liverpool showdown, an attack that prompted the intervention of a bodyguard.

When the rivals were last scheduled to meet in May, Bellew had to be restrained after launching a tirade that finished with him calling Cleverly a "f*****g rat".

That bout fell through when Bellew failed to make the weight in time, but the animosity between the pair has not cooled in the intervening period, and they now have a chance to settle the score.

"Cleverly just got a bit too close to my face so I butted him," Bellew said in the Sun. "I won't have any of that rubbish. I intimidate him and he is trying to come across like I don't. If he comes too close I will punch his face right in.

"He was lucky I had two belts on my hands because I butted him and he stepped back. I will not be moved - that is me and what I am about. The one thing he can't do me is manhandle or bully me like he has 22 other fighters. He is going to get the fright of his life when my gloves touch his face and body."

Meanwhile, unbeaten Cleverly, 24, has revealed that he only wants six more fights before retiring from boxing. He is expected to take on American legend Bernard Hopkins if he successfully defends the WBO strap against Bellew.

"I am in the sport short-term, but while I am in boxing I am going to be exciting, remain unbeaten and get out at the top," Cleverly said. "I see myself having another six fights because the way I fight and train is very intense. I take risks when I fight, but I am in boxing to be a winner and will give my best shot, have big fights and get big money."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.