Cleverly-Bellew rematch set for late November

Nathan Cleverly and Tony Bellew, and their respective teams, have reached an agreement to fight a rematch on either November 22 or 29 at the Echo Arena in Liverpool. Their first fight back in 2011 ended in a disputed majority decision with Cleverly retaining a light heavyweight belt.

Both men have since moved up to cruiserweight and will meet at the 200lbs limit this time around.

Cleverly lost his light heavyweight strap last August when he ran into Sergey Kovalev who stopped him in four one-sided rounds. Since the defeat, Cleverly has won two straight at cruiserweight.

Bellew got a second shot at a belt in November of last year but was rebuffed by Adonis Stevenson, courtesy of a sixth round KO. Bellew, too, has won two straight at cruiserweight.

Fans in the UK have been looking forward to a rematch for some time, and the desire was stoked this past July when both men fought, and won by knockout, on the same card.

Bellew is looking forward to avenging his loss:

"I want this more than any fight in the world," Bellew said. "[Cleverly's] face will be in my mind every day in camp, every night. I can't explain how badly I want to knock him out and that's exactly how it will end in November. For the people of Liverpool, expect a great occasion, an epic buildup and an emotional fight."

For Cleverly's part:

"I beat him in front of his people before and this time I'm going to knock him out in front of his people. There will be no final bell in this fight. It's going to be brutal."