NATHAN Cleverly saw his dream of becoming a two-weight world champion take a massive blow as he lost his long-awaited rematch with rival Tony Bellew.

The 27-year old Cefn Fforest fighter seemed well in contention for eight rounds but Bellew unquestionably finished the stronger in this grudge match as cruiserweight, pinning Cleverly back to the ropes for the final four rounds as the Welshman seemed to feel the pace.

However, there was still concern in the Bellew camp with the fight going to points and ending up as a split decision, Bellew claiming it 116-112, 115-113 with Terry O’Connor scoring 115-114 to Cleverly.

"It's done, it's over. I out worked a great athlete and it's over. I still don't like him, but there is respect there,” Bellew said afterwards.

Cleverly added: "I've come to Liverpool twice. Let's have a final decider in Cardiff. It's only fair."

Elsewhere on a stacked card at the Liverpool Echo Arena, Liverpool’s popular super middleweight Callum Smith saw off Nikola Sjekloca in the biggest test of his professional career, defeating the Serbian decisively on points with all three judges to retain his WBC international title.

Jamie McDonnell survived a few scary moments in his WBA World Bantamweight Championship clash with Javier Chacon before the Argentinean was forced to retire in round ten with a shoulder injury.

Scott Quigg ensured there was at least some good news for Bury this weekend as the regular at Gigg Lane beat Hidenori Othake of Japan by a significant margin on points in an international super middleweight contest, all three judges finding heavily in his favour.

Hated rivals James DeGale and George Groves both came through tough warm-up tests ahead of potential world title shots in 2015.

DeGale sent out a statement with an impressive third round stoppage victory against durable Mexican Marco Antonio Periban and Groves also stopped his opponent, this time in the seventh stanza. Groves was too good for Dennis Douglin of the US, a fighter nicknamed “Momma’s Boy” whose mother Saphya is his full-time trainer. He continues his career rehabilitation after his two losses to Carl Froch.

In the heaviest of heavyweight contests, Olympian Anthony Joshua continued his destructive ascent in the sport by hammering Michael Sprott, easily his best known opponent to date and who once clipped the wings of a highly-rated Olympic gold medallist when he stunned Audley Harrison in 2007 for European and British titles.

However, now 39, Sprott is past his prime and was no more able to handle Joshua’s powerful hands than anyone else as the London 2012 gold medal winner advanced to 10-0 by stoppage in just under 90 seconds, his speed and veracity overwhelming Sprott whose legs wobbled as he was forced back onto the ropes, referee Terry O’Connor quick to step in.