CEFN Fforest ace Nathan Cleverly won his second fight at cruiserweight before a verbal sparring session with bitter rival Tony Bellew at ringside.
Cleverly set up his grudge rematch with Liverpool’s Bellew with a fourth round stoppage of Argentine Alejandro Valori at the city’s Echo Arena.
Bellew later beat Brazil’s Julio Cesar Dos Santos with a fifth round stoppage on the Matchroom Boxing ‘Collision Course’ show before taunting Cleverly at ringside.
Security men had to intervene as Bellew threatened to instigate a brawl with former world WBO light-heavyweight champ Cleverly at ringside.
The post-match TV interview then descended into a slanging match that had promoter Eddie Hearn licking his lips.
The pair, who first fought in October 2011 when Cleverly took a split decision in Liverpool, are set for a rematch at the same arena later this year.
Also on the Liverpool bill, Newport lightweight Craig Woodruff proved a tricky opponent for Olympic champion Luke Campbell over six rounds.
Woodruff, trained by Steve Sims at his Alway gym, made the London 2012 gold medallist work hard for his 60-54 points win and made a big impression in front of the Sky Sports TV cameras.
Meanwhile, at London’s York Hall, St Joseph’s fighter Gary Buckland lost by a unanimous decision in his bid for the Commonwealth lightweight title.
Ghana’s Richard Commey took the verdict 117-111, 117-111, 118-110.
It was Buckland’s second successive defeat after his loss to Gavin Rees in May and the fifth of his pro career but he did become the first to take Commey the difference.
The African champion had won his first 17 bouts via knockout or stoppage but Buckland pushed him all the way.
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