Boxing is a sport that galvanises rivalries like no other and through the decades Britain has been blessed with the most genuine of rivalries. Through pugilistic history rivalries have seen fights cross-over into the mainstream, ensuring the victor becomes a star and Nathan Cleverly versus Tony Bellew is on that path. But where does this rivalry stem from?

Born with the name Anthony, Bellew grew up in the Wavertree area of Liverpool in 1982 and as a result he’s a proud Everton football fan, he often bares their badge and enters the ring to the sound of their song ‘Z Cars’. But Bellew didn’t start boxing until 17 years after birth under the guidance of Mick McAllister at the superb Rotunda ABC.

Just three years after starting Bellew was collecting an ABA Novice light-heavyweight title in 2002, he repeated it the following year and he stopped all opponents bar one. As Bellew stepped up to the senior amateur level his success continued with three senior back-to-back ABA titles at heavyweight  from 2004-06 and his talent was rewarded by Liverpool City Council who supported him financially as his family grew with sons Corey and Cobey. Both Bellew and Cleverly competed at the same major event, winning gold at separate weights at the 2004 Four Nations tournament.

A disagreement with GB head coach Terry Edwards saw Bellew decide against campaigning for the up-coming Olympics and Frank Warren signed the then 24 year old. At the end of Bellew’s amateur career he’d amassed a standout record of 40 wins in 47 fights with 32 stoppage wins, earning him his nickname of ‘The Bomber’.  By the time he was ready to make his debut in 2007, Cleverly had amassed an ever improving professional record of 10(3)-0.

Now under the guidance of Manchester trainer Arnie Farnell, Bellew turned pro at light-heavyweight which is 26lbs lighter than the amateur heavyweight limit, a move that he feels suits his 6ft 3inch body frame.

Bellew started his pro career with three impressive consecutive knockouts of Welshmen before going the distance with teak tough veteran journeyman, Paul Bonson who’s only been stopped three times in over 130 bouts.

In just a year, an active Bellew put together an impressive 6(4)-0 record but he still hadn’t fought in his home city. In his seventh fight he got that opportunity at the Everton Park Sports Centre as his path crossed with Cleverly again at the end of 2008. Cleverly moved up into Bellew’s weight category to claim his first career title in a break out Commonwealth title win. On the under-card Bellew won with mixed emotions as he out-pointed Jevgenijs Andrejevs who put the Scouser on the canvas in the last round.

It wasn’t the last time their paths would cross though, under the promotional banner of Frank Warren the two light-heavyweights they were set to meet more often and more directly.