NATHAN Cleverly has blasted back as rival Tony Bellew, but admits the loser of their grudge fight might be forced into retirement.

The Cefn Fforest fighter, a former WBO light heavyweight world champion, is preparing for his November 22 showdown with domestic rival Bellew with both fighters now campaigning at cruiserweight.

In a no holds barred with Argus boxing writer Michael Pearlman, Cleverly reveals he’s never been so personally motivated for a fight as he bids to make it Wales 2 England 0 in terms of meetings with Bellew, who Cleverly was victorious on points against in 2011.

"Many people have asked me why I am going back to Liverpool to fight Tony Bellew again and the answer is simple - I don't like him,” Cleverly explained.

"He talks too much and although I've beaten him before in front of his home fans, I am going to KO him this time around. He will not hear the final bell, I can guarantee you that. I will deal with him.

“There is genuine dislike. It is a grudge match and personal. He has said some disrespectful things and I have riled him up. Ultimately he has never got over losing the first fight and he wants revenge. I want a repeat of victory but this time in more emphatic fashion.

"This is my fifth time in Liverpool; hopefully it's going to be my fifth success. I've been there four times before, victorious four times before, and I'm going to make it five times in a row.

"This fight has been three years in the making, since the first fight. In 2011 myself and Bellew, we went to war, put on a great fight and, in all honesty, it was a close fight and it was too close for comfort. I won the fight but it was a close fight.

"This rematch - he's whinged, he's moaned, he's cried. He's wanted this rematch and now he's got it. Let's get it on. He says this is his weight and it suits him better. Let's find out. I'm up for it. I'm ready for war. It's a grudge match, a rivalry, I can't wait.

“This clown makes some stupid remarks but we have to look at the facts. I beat him once in his home town. The rematch is on and I am going to beat this guy again. I can’t afford anything else.”

However, Cleverly is aware that the stakes are equally high for the loser of this battle, with the winner almost certain to challenge for a world title.

“Tony himself said the loser will have nowhere to go and he’s right, potentially,” he said.

“After all the talking he has done, when he loses he will have no option and he must walk away. The embarrassment of all the talking and remarks and bravado he will have no option. The winner goes on to fight for the world title and it’s a massive opportunity. For the loser who knows? Maybe it is time to walk away. I can’t afford anything except a win.”

Cleverly admits Bellew has a size and a power advantage at cruiserweight, but isn’t ready to let it unsettle him.

“Overall I think I am the better athlete at cruiserweight. His strengths are his power and maybe he is trying to sucker me in and go to war and walk onto one of his big power shots,” he said.

“But I should be smarter than that at this stage of my career to avoid that trap. I just need to concentrate on my game plan and bit by bit break this guy up.

“I have to deal with the atmosphere and the occasion. It may be more hostile this time around because this fight has history and more of a rivalry has brewed up. This rematch had been three years in the making and we are finally here. I am ready for that cauldron and atmosphere of boos and whatever else it is going to bring. I am just going to arrive at Liverpool, perform, win the fight and arrive back home victorious.

“The records suggest he has the superior power and has that one knockout punch in his armoury. But I have more tools than this guy. Speed kills and that is what I intend to use.”

Tickets for the clash are on sale at midday for Matchroom Fight Pass members from the from the Fight Pass area at www.matchroomboxing.com. Tickets are priced at £40, £60, £80, £100, £150 and £300 VIPs.

Tickets are also on general sale from the Echo Arena website www.echoarena.com and on 0844 8000 400 – with the Echo Arena selling tickets priced in the £40-£150 bracket. The £300 VIP tickets are available exclusively from Matchroom Boxing at www.matchroomboxing.com and on 01277 359900.