It's on - Bellew v Cleverly rematch in Liverpool

Tony Bellew (left) and Nathan Cleverly Credit: Press Association

British rivals Nathan Cleverly and Tony Bellew will hope to settle their grudge once and for all after it was officially announced the pair would contest their hotly-anticipated re-match in November at the Echo Arena in Liverpool.

Cleverly narrowly outpointed Bellew in their first bout at the same venue to retain his WBO light-heavyweight title in October 2011 although his Liverpudlian foe has been itching for a return fight ever since.

Both fighters have moved up to cruiserweight, following world title defeats at 175lbs, and settled nicely in the division, so a re-match was mooted for the undercard of Kell Brook's homecoming in Sheffield on December 6.

But following the IBF welterweight champion's stabbing in Tenerife earlier this month, it has been decided to move the encounter to Bellew's hometown in November - with an exact date to be confirmed next week.

Cleverly (28-1, 14KOs) is relishing the chance to once again beat Bellew in front of his own fans and will hope to use the bout as a springboard for a world title shot.

"I cannot wait for this," said Cleverly, who dropped his world title to the hard-hitting Sergey Kovalev last year but has since rebounded with two wins.

"I beat him in front of his people before and this time I'm going to knock him out in front of his people.

"There will be no final bell in this fight, it's going to be brutal.

"Expect fireworks from the build-up, the press conferences, the weigh in and the fight but also expect the same result. A Nathan Cleverly victory and then I will become a two-weight world champion."

Bellew - never one to mince words, especially where Cleverly is concerned - is desperate to set the record straight and, like his rival, has targeted a knockout win.

"I want this more than any fight in the world," said Bellew (22-2-1, 14KOs).

"I've dreamt about this moment, about putting this right, about ending him. His face will be in my mind every day in camp, every night.

"I can't explain how badly I want to knock him out and that's exactly how it will end in November.

"For the people of Liverpool, expect a great occasion, an epic build up and an emotional fight."