Boxing: Tony Bellew says he can reach the top without facing Nathen Cleverly

Nov 17 2012 by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo

TONY BELLEW is prepared to take a path to the top that does not involve Nathan Cleverly.

The only blemish on the “Bomber’s” 19-fight record is last October’s unlucky points defeat to the WBO light heavyweight champion, but a rematch does not seem to be on the horizon for the bitter domestic rivals.

Cleverly last weekend defended his crown against the little-known American Shawn Hawk, while Bellew takes on Argentina’s Roberto Bolonti as chief support to Carl Froch in Nottingham tonight.

Bolonti is ranked above Bellew in every organisation and is regarded as presenting a sterner test than Hawk did for Cleverly – with Bellew himself claiming to have turned Hawk down.

The 29-year-old no longer wants to get caught up on Cleverly, though, and is planning to win a title without fighting him again.

“I don’t even pay him (Cleverly) any attention, I think it’s a joke,” Bellew said.

“The guy he fought last time, I actually rejected him. Shaun Hawk’s name was on the list and I knocked him back and took the highest-ranked opponent (Edison Miranda). I don’t need him to progress in my career and I’m not going to even give him a word, it’s just a joke.”

Bellew and Bolonti were involved in some verbal sparring at yesterday’s weigh-in, with Bellew 12st 6lbs and 10oz, the Argentine 12st 5lbs.

The pair went face to face at the scales, with Bolonti making cut- throat gestures, but Bellew remained unimpressed.

“He ranks above me in every single organisation.

“He’s WBC number five, above me in the IBF and WBA and I’ve got to get in there and prove the ranking wrong and take his away from him,” Bellew said.

“He comes here with a very high ranking, but he isn’t going to leave with it.

“It is about seeking and destroying and really hurting someone and getting a vicious knockout; that is what this fight is about.

“I believe I am good enough to go in there, stand there and trade. I can go into this fight and have a fight and I am happy to do that.

“I’m ready, I can’t wait for the action to start and for the bell to go.

“It’s been a good 10-week camp, I’ve come straight off the back of the last fight and I’m looking forward to getting back in the ring and doing the business.”