Mayweather vs McGregor: Tony Bellew gives Nathan Cleverly the edge versus Badou Jack

Tony Bellew

Boxer & Pundit

Wednesday 23 August 2017 15:34, UK

Tony Bellew will never be friends with Nathan Cleverly, but he will be at ringside in Las Vegas to see him defend his WBA light-heavyweight title against home fighter Badou Jack, so 'Bomber' gives us his honest prediction...

I think it's a very, very good fight, which is 55-45 in Jack's favour. I only give Jack the slight advantage because of activity.

Jack went in with James DeGale and narrowly scraped that draw, but Cleverly hasn't fought since his win over Juergen Braehmer in Germany.

It's a really good pick-em fight. I do think Cleverly will be outworking Jack, but he may get stopped. Jack will be in the ring with someone who throws punches not to hurt you, but to score points.

Cleverly is not a hurtful puncher, he never has been. But he's got a fantastic engine, a fantastic work-rate, and is somebody who can grind out a win.

Cleverly has got that championship experience and is a high-level fighter. He cannot be underestimated, he's the champion.

Listen, I say the word 'champion' loosely. That isn't a belt that he's carrying, it's a pretend version of one, but forget about what's at stake, he's a good fighter, especially at light-heavyweight.

Jack will be very surprised at the strength and the size, because the Welshman at that weight is strong and durable. He's got all the advantages going in.

Can Jack nail him hard enough to dishearten Cleverly and make him go a little gun-shy? If he can, then he wins, but if he hits Cleverly with everything he's got and nothing happens then the Welshman can win.

It's 55-45 in Jack's favour, but if you're asking me who I'm going to pick then I will edge slightly towards Cleverly. Listen, good luck to him and I hope he does it.