This is it press conference!

Alot of controversy today at the this is it press conference as Tony Bellew and Nathan Cleverly almost scrap with Bellew making a knob of himself calling Cleverly a f****** rat.

James Degale and George Groves made a bet with the winner getting the losers purse! Groves didn't seen too happy with it but went with it anyway.Degale was very fired up and looked like he could just square it off right there.

For anyone who hasn't seen it yet it should be on Youtube or repeated on SSN.

Whats peoples predictions for both fights?

Did they really agree to that bet?!

Verbal contracts don't mean jack etc

And Bellew isn't exactly wrong for observing Clev looks like a rat.... Brad Pitt he certainly aint... He's more:

http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSTFv7yR8EWAYBNlRlVgGxjxL9dpO5T22BbrL5Tuhc-w_orRheF

Actually, i can't tell the difference.... Clev, is that you?!

Oh and it's UD for both Degale and Clev... throw in Pascal UD and you've got yourself a 64/1 bet...

HOPKINS BET JOPPY $200K HE'D STOP HIM AND PAID UP LIKE A GOOD 'UN WHEN HE WENT THE DISTANCE

DeGale KO Rnds 4-6
Cleverly KO Rnds 7-9

Handy wee double.

I will look forward to the press conference tonight on Sky Sports News.

I hope I am wrong though as I would like to see Groves smash DeGale.

I hope I am wrong though as I would like to see Groves smash DeGale.

You and me both! Sadly my head has had me bet against him. Saying that i'd quite happily lose a few quid to see Groves do this to Degale with a punch:


http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1WVfdfEBDJY/S-bC1S_L7kI/AAAAAAAAB7M/rCUsmDROP0w/s320/IMG_6756_12.jpg

DAVE667 wrote:HOPKINS BET JOPPY $200K HE'D STOP HIM AND PAID UP LIKE A GOOD 'UN WHEN HE WENT THE DISTANCE

I remember that. I also remember Hopkins actually putting in a sustained attack in the last round in an attempt to save his cash. Joppy was desperate to go the distance!

Cooxy:

I just didnt like the Ringside where DeGale was trying to act smart.

DeGale being smart is like Susan Boyle being sexy.

Just watched Clev & Bellew on YouTube. Ah, I hope Cleverly dumps that monkey-eared sub-council estate knob on his backside.

BALTIMORA wrote:Just watched Clev & Bellew on YouTube. Ah, I hope Cleverly dumps that monkey-eared sub-council estate knob on his backside.

Bellew made himself look nothing more than a chav in the press conference.

Liam_Main wrote:

BALTIMORA wrote:Just watched Clev & Bellew on YouTube. Ah, I hope Cleverly dumps that monkey-eared sub-council estate knob on his backside.

Bellew made himself look nothing more than a chav in the press conference.

Yup. I suspect he showed himself to be exactly what he is, which is a knucklehead.

Why? he's a scouser so he's gotta be a chav, council estate etc etc.

at least he's got the bottle to take this fight at short notice, and he deserves credit for it

Day V Lately wrote:Why? he's a scouser so he's gotta be a chav, council estate etc etc.

at least he's got the bottle to take this fight at short notice, and he deserves credit for it

He's a chav for jumping up and calling Cleverly a f****** rat when Cleverly didn't say and do much.

Day V Lately wrote:Why? he's a scouser so he's gotta be a chav, council estate etc etc.

at least he's got the bottle to take this fight at short notice, and he deserves credit for it

I'll admit the accent does him no favours when he's acting the way he was at the press conference, but it's more about the fact that he acted like a lowbrow, knuckle-dragging yob.

Yeh fair enough Baltimora, personnally I enjoyed it, I've met him a few times and he's always come across as a nice lad (bit of a scally to be fair though!).

I also dont think he's been given any credit for taking this fight, we constantly hear about certain fighters being warriors, then negotiating for every advantage they can get, Tony's just said, yeh lets av it!

Career high pay day with absolutely nothing to lose and no bargaining power to start with, of course he's going to take the fight

Day V Lately wrote:Yeh fair enough Baltimora, personnally I enjoyed it, I've met him a few times and he's always come across as a nice lad (bit of a scally to be fair though!).

I also dont think he's been given any credit for taking this fight, we constantly hear about certain fighters being warriors, then negotiating for every advantage they can get, Tony's just said, yeh lets av it!

He deserves credit for that, but let's not forget that he's basically been offered a title shot he hasn't earned. He'd have been stupid to turn that down, really. Couple that with the fact he's also managed by Frank Warren and it seems like a situation where Warren's sacrificing one fighter to help another. I wouldn't be surprised if Warren sees more long-term gain from Cleverly and so has wangled Bellew into the frame for that purpose.

Bellew just showed himself up by using pub-closing-time antics like swearing and puffing his chest out. Cleverly seemed to realise that a little extra restraint would be the smart choice.

Warren did a similar thing with Smith I suppose, I still think its a huge ask to take the fight at short notice, and peoples long standing dislike of him saying of course he's gonna take it. He's an unbeaten prospect taking on one of the top guys in the division at 4 days notice, plenty would have turned it down.

Day V Lately wrote:Warren did a similar thing with Smith I suppose, I still think its a huge ask to take the fight at short notice, and peoples long standing dislike of him saying of course he's gonna take it. He's an unbeaten prospect taking on one of the top guys in the division at 4 days notice, plenty would have turned it down.

It is although it's worth noting that Cleverly will have trained for a different style of opponent, so he's going to be a little disadvantaged too. It's a very similar situation to when Chisora was selected to fight Wlad, albeit this is at very short notice.

True, an I was at Clev's last fight wher he frankly stunk the gaff out against a late replacement, though I suspect he might know a little bit more about Bellew. I also think Tony is gonna have to kill himself to get the weight off at late notice and might be more chinny than usual

Genuine needle between Cleverly and Belllew.

Yeah, I watched Clev's last fight and it was a stinker. He didn't seem to know what to do against a pretty negative opponent. Think you're gonna be right about Bellew's chin too. He was on the canvas twice in his last fight, so I guess it'll depend on how much Clev's power has progressed.

The beeb has a better quality video up of the conference, an Tony already looks somewhat gaunt, Bellew is vulnerable, but Clev doesnt appear to have too much power, Clev likes to get involved and sometimes leaves himself open, Bellew can bang, throw in some genuine needle and it looks interesting. Hard to see past a Clev win though, stoppage i'd say.

Yeh that Bellew fight was on the same card, though I watched that one in town as it was on a half hour after the Smith v Degale fight and the bars in the arena had closed! :run2:

Cleverly/Bellew press conf on the Beeb website now >>

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/13460425.stm

Anyone else think Frank looks a bit too happy as they start to "scrap" ? What's the saying - no such thing as bad publicity.. ?

exiledscotinwhales wrote:Cleverly/Bellew press conf on the Beeb website now >>

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/13460425.stm

Anyone else think Frank looks a bit too happy as they start to "scrap" ? What's the saying - no such thing as bad publicity.. ?

Like I said, it's win-win for ol' fish-eyes. He's like a British Bob Arum...

Day V Lately wrote:The beeb has a better quality video up of the conference, an Tony already looks somewhat gaunt, Bellew is vulnerable, but Clev doesnt appear to have too much power, Clev likes to get involved and sometimes leaves himself open, Bellew can bang, throw in some genuine needle and it looks interesting. Hard to see past a Clev win though, stoppage i'd say.

Yeh that Bellew fight was on the same card, though I watched that one in town as it was on a half hour after the Smith v Degale fight and the bars in the arena had closed! :run2:

Sounds about right. Was Bellew in training of any kind before being given this shot, or is he coming into it cold?

Apologies DayVL - was still writing about the Beeb link as you posted...

As others have said, fair play to Bellew for stepping in so late in the day. Can't see past Clev winning though - prob a stoppage if Bell gets in the ring that wound up.

Wrote it on the other thread but this has traffic. Wont be for the title, Bellew too heavy.

I wouldn't be surprised if Fwank has had Bellew as a reserve for a while now. No one was confident that Braemer would show up. Clev even had orthadox sparring partners just in case.

No worries ex

He had started a camp for his rematch with makenzie, but wont be anywhere near peaking for it I would of thought.

Presser https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKGUToWhPDs

Scottrf wrote:Wrote it on the other thread but this has traffic. Wont be for the title, Bellew too heavy.

So what happens with regards to the belt now then? Does Clev get it and keep it regardless of the result?

BALTIMORA wrote:

Scottrf wrote:Wrote it on the other thread but this has traffic. Wont be for the title, Bellew too heavy.

So what happens with regards to the belt now then? Does Clev get it and keep it regardless of the result?

Presumably, he's already the holder.

Scottrf wrote:

BALTIMORA wrote:

Scottrf wrote:Wrote it on the other thread but this has traffic. Wont be for the title, Bellew too heavy.

So what happens with regards to the belt now then? Does Clev get it and keep it regardless of the result?

Presumably, he's already the holder.

Makes this a bit of a pointless non-event really. Only the bad feeling to really make it worth the watch, 'cause hopefully there'll be some fireworks. Not literally.

Scottrf wrote:Wrote it on the other thread but this has traffic. Wont be for the title, Bellew too heavy.

Good point. I'd missed it - about 48 secs into the press conf video on the Beeb, Bell says he's not disclosing his weight. Why ? As above - if he hasn't made it, can't be a title fight... ?

Check out poor Georgie Groves gettin bumped around behind Bellew, if Bellew had ruined his suit there really would have been murder!!

exiledscotinwhales wrote:

Scottrf wrote:Wrote it on the other thread but this has traffic. Wont be for the title, Bellew too heavy.

Good point. I'd missed it - about 48 secs into the press conf video on the Beeb, Bell says he's not disclosing his weight. Why ? As above - if he hasn't made it, can't be a title fight... ?

Yeah, well it wont be the official weigh in yet, but BBBofC do preliminary checks and it seems they weren't happy. Not fully official yet, but seems the case.

Scottrf wrote:

exiledscotinwhales wrote:

Scottrf wrote:Wrote it on the other thread but this has traffic. Wont be for the title, Bellew too heavy.

Good point. I'd missed it - about 48 secs into the press conf video on the Beeb, Bell says he's not disclosing his weight. Why ? As above - if he hasn't made it, can't be a title fight... ?

Yeah, well it wont be the official weigh in yet, but BBBofC do preliminary checks and it seems they weren't happy. Not fully official yet, but seems the case.

Lose/lose for Bellew? Come in heavy, no belt on the line. Try to burn the weight too quickly, have no legs. Metaphorically.

Should be a fairly decent pay day you would imagine and some exposure. But yeah in that sense it was.

Yeah he's basically just decided 'sod it-it's good money, and if I lose it won't set me back a great deal', just like Chisora v Wlad.

I thought last night it was strange he would be fighting for a title he tweeted last night saying he was 6 and a half lbs over. That left him roughly 36 hours to lose nearly half a stone before the weigh in.

calls him " a p**ck

calls him a "f****** rat" and then they shake hands.....

oh dear!!

When did they shake hands?

Oh well - fight off then !

look at the 11 min video on youtube scotty.. type in cleverly-bellew

TRUSSMAN66 wrote:look at the 11 min video on youtube scotty.. type in cleverly-bellew

Looks like it was just for publicity anyway.

Frank looks equally happy about this as well >>

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/13463183.stm

At least the bouncers made their money today...

Anyone else think the whole "bet your purse" business is nothing more than a publicity stunt to save a flagging PPV show?

Anyone else think Jim McDonnell is an absolute t**t? Degale is such a puppet, you could see him whispering things to James to say.

C'mon Saint George, teach them a lesson.

Sugar Boy Sweetie wrote:Anyone else think the whole "bet your purse" business is nothing more than a publicity stunt to save a flagging PPV show?

To be fair on ringside about a month ago Groves offered DeGold a wager first.