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Bellew steps in to fight Cleverly in London

Tony Bellew is the Commonwealth light-heavyweight champion © PA Photos

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Nathan Cleverly has found a replacement fighter for Saturday's 02 Arena card, after Tony Bellew accepted an urgent SOS on Wednesday evening.

Bellew is the current Commonwealth light-heavyweight champion, and he has spent the last year campaigning for a clash with Cleverly. Courtesy of Juergen Braehmer's withdrawal this week, Bellew will now get his big chance.

Cleverly said: "I'm really happy that Bellew will be in the opposite corner on Saturday night. Not only will he feel my anger from Braehmer pulling out, but he'll now pay for slagging me off in the last year. I knew we would get it on one day and that day has come a lot sooner than expected, but I'm ready for Bellew and he's going to get knocked out."

Currently unbeaten in his professional career, which stretches to 15 fights, Bellew has incredible powers of recovery as well as persistence, as displayed in his December clash with Ovill McKenzie. The 28-year-old was dropped twice in the fight, but roared back to force an eighth-round stoppage.

A rematch had been on the cards in July, but Bellew has leapt at the opportunity to take on Cleverly. He must now undergo a stiff weight drop in order to be ready for Saturday's fight.

"I'm coming down to London to fight and believe when I say I'm going to knock Cleverly out cold. I wouldn't have put myself forward if I didn't think I could beat him. Two months' notice or two days' notice, I know I can beat Cleverly - I always have. For the fans, I can promise them the best fight they will see in the last 10 years."

WBO light-heavyweight champion Braehmer has been officially stripped of his title, having twice withdrawn from defences over the past year. Cleverly, who was the current interim champion, is now installed as the undisputed light-heavyweight king ahead of Saturday's encounter.

Warren said: "The fight between Nathan and Tony has been brewing up in the last year and it's happened sooner than expected, but I'm delighted that the fight is on and the fans are in for a real treat on Saturday night. I'm expecting fireworks in the ring."

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