Cleverly vs Bellew: Frank Warren Says Winner Could Face Bernard Hopkins
by Scott Christ on Aug 30, 2011 3:35 PM EDT
in Boxing News Analysis
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Take this with a super, super big grain of salt, but Frank Warren says that the winner of the October 15 fight between WBO light heavyweight titlist Nathan Cleverly and British/Commonwealth champion Tony Bellew could face Bernard Hopkins next:
"I'm in discussions with Hopkins' promoter Richard Schaefer about a potential fight with the winner," said Warren. "So it's a massive incentive for both guys."
Hopkins, of course, defends his WBC belt and the legitimate world championship against Chad Dawson that same night, on HBO pay-per-view from Los Angeles. Hopkins has a plenty tough enough test ahead of him, so it certainly shouldn't be assumed Bernard walks out of Staples Center still the champ, and if he does lose, you have to think that at 46 retirement would be a serious consideration.
But if he beats Dawson, he will fight on. And he's expressed some interest in going to Wales for a fight. Now, what he wants is a rematch with the retired Joe Calzaghe, but Calzaghe has expressed no interest in that publicly, and has in fact denied interest repeatedly, including when the two met up in Las Vegas on July 23 for the Khan vs Judah fight.
Cleverly (22-0, 11 KO) will be the big favorite against Bellew (16-0, 10 KO), but this is a heated rivalry outside of the ring and has been hyped well. No matter what you think of the validity of their press conference verbal battle in May, one thing Bellew notes is quite true: It will be a hostile, pro-Bellew crowd in Liverpool, and if that rattles Cleverly, this could be a fight.
I've mentioned before that I think putting the 24-year-old Cleverly in with Hopkins would be a bad idea, and I stand by that. Cleverly is a good talent, but Hopkins breaks down guys with more big-fight experience than Cleverly has. And let's be honest, Tony Bellew could knock Cleverly out in 30 seconds and he's not getting a fight with Bernard Hopkins. This is a Cleverly-only suggestion, and I just think it's a bad fight for him. It would be good for his wallet, but then what if and when the old man outclasses him severely?
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Bellew-Hopkins is one of the funniest ideas just about ever. It would be one of the most embarrassing looking fights just about ever.
"Occasionally, there is a boxing match that, in its demonstration of skill, courage, intelligence, hope, seems to redeem the sport - almost. Perhaps boxing has always been a sport in crisis, a sport of crisis."
by Oli Goldstein on Aug 30, 2011 5:02 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Just. About. Ever.
"Occasionally, there is a boxing match that, in its demonstration of skill, courage, intelligence, hope, seems to redeem the sport - almost. Perhaps boxing has always been a sport in crisis, a sport of crisis."
by Oli Goldstein on Aug 30, 2011 5:08 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Cleverly will batter, break down, and brutally stop Bellew.
There’s such a skill divide it’s untrue – look at Bellew’s self vaunted “masterclass” – if that’s his boxing plan B he’s fucked.
I hate this fight, it shouldn’t be happening, but, one side of me has wanted to see Bellew shut up for a long time (I’m sure he’s a nice guy etc – but calling out champs after struggling with tin cans isn’t a way to endear yourself to me).
"Chris Eubank lost his recent comeback fight on points ... the main one being that he's a total git."
Hopkins v Cleverly doesn’t sound like a bad idea. Losing to Hopkins isnt going to be a set back espec at his age and he is highly unlikely going to get ko’d.He won’t be expected to win so the pressure is off and he could spring a suprise.
Losing to Hopkins isnt going to be a set back at his age
Kelly Pavlik might take issue with that. (He was 26ish when he got trucked by Hopkins.)
by Verklemptomaniac on Aug 30, 2011 6:49 PM EDT up reply actions
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