• Tony Bellew v Nathan Cleverly

Bellew gets revenge on Cleverly with split decision win

Tony Bellew enjoyed a revenge victory on home soil © Getty Images

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Tony Bellew got his revenge on Nathan Cleverly as he earned a split decision victory in their rematch at Liverpool's Echo Arena on Saturday.

The fight went to the judges after a gruelling battle between the two cruiserweight rivals, but Bellew prevailed 114-115, 116-112, 115-113 and now looks likely to face WBO cruiserweight titlist Marco Huck.

Bellew finished the opening round strongly, landing a left-right combination before connecting with a strong right hand to Cleverly's body. Bellew caught his opponent in the face at the start of round two, but Cleverly continued to try and work his jab, seemingly unhurt.

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Cleverly's defence had to be tight to deflect more Bellew body shots in the third, before a sharp right from Bellew caught the Welshman off guard. That sparked a rampage from Bellew, who had his man against the ropes, only to get a warning for catching him with a loose elbow.

However, Bellew had Cleverly on the ropes again in round four; two commanding blows produced roars from the home crowd. However, a low blow from Bellew allowed the referee to break his momentum and issue him another warning.

That slowed the pace a little in round five; Cleverly shied away from using his right hand as Bellew struck with an uppercut to the ribs. The pair traded spats in the corner during round six, but neither could find a clean breakthrough.

Bellew continued to land cleaner punches in round seven, with Cleverly restricted to the left-hand jab, as both registered big hits towards the bell. Cleverly responded in round eight with a right hand to Bellew's face and another solid left followed.

Cleverly had Bellew on the ropes with a big left in the ninth, but the home favourite turned the tables and started to inflict heavy pressure in what soon became a brawl. That continued in round 10 as Bellew again unleashed a flurry of shots on Cleverly, who was backed on the ropes for nearly two minutes.

Bellew was looking for a stoppage but still couldn't find it in round 11. He backed Cleverly, whose only resistance consisted of a tame jab, onto the ropes again and narrowly missed with a big right hand, before closing out the round with more valuable shots to the body.

With both fighters exhausted, Bellew rose in the final round looking for a perfect ending; he almost got it with a powerful right to the head, but Cleverly remained standing until the final bell.

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