Tony Bellew ready to 'shock' WBO champion Nathan Cleverly
- Published
British and Commonwealth light-heavyweight champion Tony Bellew says taking Nathan Cleverly's WBO world title would crown his life's work.
The two unbeaten fighters meet at the Echo Arena in Bellew's home city of Liverpool on Saturday.
"This is a lifetime's worth of work, 15 years are going into 36 minutes," Bellew told BBC Radio Merseyside.
"I'll do whatever it takes and I've got more than he could ever imagine on the line, this is all I know."
Bellew, 28, has been chasing a fight with 24-year-old Cleverly for over two years.
His desire to face the Welshman increased when he became interim world champion with victory over Nadjib Mohammedi in December 2010.
They almost clashed for the full title in May, before problems making weight forced Bellew to pull out., external
Now he has a second chance on the world stage, Bellew says he will grab it with both hands.
"He can not bully me, it's as simple as that.
"If he wants to take it down the workrate route I can match him. He can take it to the outside, to the inside," added Bellew.
"I will not be moved and I shall not be denied."
While the three-time ABA heavyweight champion says he has prepared for 12 rounds, he admits he does not expect the fight to last the championship distance.
Bellew added: "I'm prepared for it but do I think he's going to absorb what I can dish out for 12 rounds? No I don't.
"This kid is in for the shock of his life if he thinks it's going to be an easy defence."