Tony Bellew has won his rematch with Nathan Cleverly after sealing a points victory in front of a sell-out crowd in Liverpool
© Getty Images
Cleverly appeared to try to use the jab with good results in the early rounds, but he was unable to stop The Bomber from landing punches as the Liverpudlian looked be shading the opening rounds.
On the other hand, Bellew seemed to have a clear tactic to back the Welshman up against the ropes before unloading blows. The home fighter's initial flurries were blocked, but the Merseyside man had some success.
Strangely, Cleverly appeared to be reluctant to use his right hand too much and his jab became more impotent as the fight wore on.
Despite being warned for a low blow early in the seventh, Bellew enjoyed a good round as he landed clear shots on his opponent and continued to bully Cleverly, denying him space to work.
His tactics appeared to have an impact as the Welsh boxer looked weary in the eighth round and, although he began to use his right again, Bellew was starting to dominate the match to the delight of the majority inside the Echo Arena.
Bellew continued to box his opponent into a corner, but could not find a knockout blow. However, such was his dominance in latter rounds, he was able to to secure a majority points verdict to avenge his previous defeat to his British rival.
Chris O'Keefe
