Nathan Cleverly vs. Tony Bellew 2: Fight Time, Date, Live Stream, TV Info, More

There is legitimate beef between Tony Bellew and Nathan Cleverly. To put it plain, these two cruiserweights simply don't like each other. On Saturday night from Echo Arena in Liverpool, Cleverly and Bellew will renew acquaintances.

They first met in 2011, and Cleverly won a disputed majority decision when the two fighters competed at light heavyweight. Since then, Bellew has been chased from the ranks of 175-pounders by Adonis Stevenson, and Sergey Kovalev ushered Cleverly up a weight class.

The 190-pound division is devoid of a signature champion, and both Bellew and Cleverly would like to claim that distinction. The winner of the rematch could be in line to challenge for a world title. It should be a great day of fights in the UK because this card is stacked with most of the biggest names from the country in action.

Scott Quigg defends his WBA title against Hidenori Otake, George Groves fights Denis Douglin, James DeGale scraps with Marco Antonio Periban, and heavyweight sensation Anthony Joshua faces Michael Sprott.

Here's the viewing information for the card.

When: Saturday, Nov. 22 at 1 p.m. ET (6 p.m. GMT)

Where: Echo Arena in Liverpool

TV: Sky Box Office

Live Stream: BoxNation (subscription required and region restricted)

The Book on Bellew

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When it comes to athleticism, Bellew seems to know he can't match Cleverly. However, it appears he believes he has a toughness advantage over the 27-year-old from Wales. Bellew had some choice words for Cleverly per Sky Sports. The 31-year-old, who hails from Liverpool, said this about his opponent:

"

One minute he's retiring, one minute he's the best athlete in the world, one minute he can't be knocked out and in the next phrase he says: 'If he hits me, he is the stronger man and can knock me out and someone's got to go.' He contradicts himself constantly so he's just a strange cat to be real and that's the fact of the matter.

"

Bellew has often tried to get inside the heads of his opponents. He tried this approach against Stevenson, but it didn't sway the bout in his favor.

Still, it seems the mind games are part of his strategy. He also brings solid fundamentals and a durable chin. Stevenson is the only opponent who has ever stopped Bellew. 

Cleverly is not known for his punching prowess, and Bellew will likely have little regard for Cleverly's power. Bellew has reinvigorated his career as a cruiserweight. He's 2-0 since moving up to the weight class, and he's stopped both opponents he's faced.

Most recently, Bellew scored a TKO win over Julio Cesar Dos Santos in July. That bout also took place at the Echo Arena, which is becoming a second home for Bellew. Saturday's bout will be the 10th he's fought in the arena, and he's 8-1-1 in those bouts (including the loss to Cleverly in 2011).

Can Bellew protect his house against Cleverly this time?

The Book on Cleverly

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After he was taken apart by Kovalev in Aug. 2013, it seemed as if Cleverly might retire from the sport. He'd run into the type of opponent who makes a fighter question whether he can compete at the highest level.

No matter how many times Cleverly faced Kovalev, the result would probably be the same—a one-sided KO defeat. The best thing Cleverly could do if he was going to continue his career was to move up to cruiserweight. Like Bellew, Cleverly is 2-0 since making the move.

He has also shown a bit more power at 190 pounds. His two wins have come inside of four rounds against Shawn Corbin and Alejandro Emilio Valori. Is Cleverly suddenly a power puncher? No, he isn't. Corbin and Valori have been stopped a combined nine times in their careers.

In addition, neither man is regarded as a top contender. Corbin is a 39-year-old underachiever, and Valori is a 32-year-old latecomer to the sport who turned pro at 26. We can hardly say that stopping these two opponents warrants praise of Cleverly's power.

There is, however, no questioning his boxing acumen. Cleverly's jab, movement and accuracy are all very good. It's what he used to earn a decision victory over Bellew in the first fight.

There is reason to wonder what he'll do if he finds himself in with another rough-and-tumble opponent with the power to hurt him.

Since losing to Kovalev, his desire hasn't been tested in the ring during a prize fight. Something tells me it will be Saturday.

Cleverly sounds like a man ready for the confrontation. Per BBC Sport, he said:

"

I strongly dislike him [Bellew]. I wouldn't say I hate the guy - I don't want to waste that emotion on him. The way he talks is very disrespectful. He's got a big mouth. He's a bully boy. He's a big guy, he's got a big mouth and he tries to intimidate people. My ambition is to go to his backyard and bully the bully boy.

"

Who will put up or shut up?

Prediction

I'm just not convinced Cleverly has it in him to fight at a high level anymore. Some losses break a fighter, and I think that's what the Kovalev defeat did to Cleverly.

Bellew is the type of opponent who will not only push Cleverly physically with heavy hands and a large frame (6'3" to Cleverly's 6'1.5") but will also attack his emotions. In the end, Bellew will wear him down—physically and mentally—and stop him late.

Follow Brian Mazique on Twitter. I dig boxing and MMA.