The rematch between fierce rivals Tony Bellew and Nathan Cleverly will be shown live and exclusive on pay-per-view via Sky Sports Box Office in November, the broadcaster has confirmed.
The pair will go head to head as part of a huge night for British boxing, promoted by Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing, in Bellew’s home town of Liverpool, three years after Cleverly narrowly defeated Bellew to retain his WBO light heavyweight title.
On November 22, they will face off in the ring for the second time, this time at cruiserweight, back at the Echo Arena in Bellew’s home town of Liverpool, in what will be the first fight in which either of the pair have topped the bill on a pay-per-view show.
The mouth-watering contest headlines a packed fight night that boasts an undercard featuring former Olympic champion James DeGale and undefeated heavyweight Anthony Joshua.
Sky Sports Box Office viewers will also be able to enjoy two world title fights, as Scott Quigg defends his WBA world super-bantamweight title for a fifth time against Joseph Agekbo, while Jamie McDonnell defends his WBA world bantamweight title against Walberto Ramos.
Also, unbeaten Liverpool sensation Callum Smith faces former world title challenger Nikola Sjekloca in an official eliminator for the WBC super middleweight title.
Speaking at a press conference in Liverpool, Nathan Cleverly said: “Many people have asked me why I am going back to Liverpool to fight Tony Bellew again and the answer is simple – I don’t like him.
“He talks too much and although I’ve beaten him before in front of his home fans, I am going to KO him this time around.
“He will not hear the final bell, I can guarantee you that. I will deal with him all over gain and become a two-weight world champion.”
Tony Bellew added: “I have been waiting for this fight for three years and now it is here revenge is the only thing on my mind.
“I have seen his horrible face in my head many nights since the fight but I have not have the chance to make it right. This is a chapter in my life that I need to close and I will do that by ending Nathan Cleverly’s career on November 22.
“I am in the sport to be successful and win titles but this fight means more to me than any of that – this is personal, and he will not want to enter a boxing ring after I have finished with him.
“It’s my first headlining show on Sky Sports Box Office and that just underlines how big this fight is and I am going to make sure my performance is a destructive and memorable one.”
Three years ago, Cleverly defeated Bellew by a tight majority decision as he defended is WBO world light heavyweight crown, a fight which was broadcast by Frank Warren’s BoxNation network.
Adam Smith, executive producer of Sky Sports’ boxing coverage, said: “This fight has it all; bitter rivalry, genuine animosity between both boxers and more tension than Froch v Groves.
“Nothing excites the British public more than a grudge match and on November 22 at Liverpool’s Echo Arena will be rocking.
“With an incredible undercard featuring both DeGale and Joshua, it’s sure to be a dramatic and exciting night of boxing.”
Cleverly v Bellew II will be given the full Sky Sports Box Office treatment in the build-up to a bumper night of boxing on November 22.
Sky Sports viewers will be able to follow the build-up to the big fight with unprecedented access to both boxers and their training camps on documentary series ‘Behind the Ropes’.
‘Gloves are off’ will see Cleverly and Bellew confront each other face-to-face ahead of November 22 and Sky Sports’ weekly show ‘Ringside’ will also feature news and interviews with boxers and experts.
Cleverly v Bellew II is part of an unrivalled Autumn of sport on Sky Sports with live coverage of Autumn International rugby, Premier League and UEFA Champions League football, Super League Grand Final, NFL, international cricket, tennis from the O2 with the ATP World Finals and the finale of the Formula 1 season.
Visit matchroomboxing.com for more details about the fight, including ticketing information.
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Putting the fight on Sky Box Office is just pure GREED by Sky. When it was announced the fight was on Sky I was glad as box office not mentioned,till I received the e-mail earlier. Very disappointed.