Over the next two weeks British boxing is set to be lit up with not one, two, but three domestic grudge matches.

The first takes place this weekend when Cardiff’s Nathan Cleverly faces Liverpool’s Tony Bellew in a cruiserweight clash at Liverpool’s Echo Arena.

 It is the second instalment in what has been a venomous rivalry, particularly on the part of Bellew who makes no bones about the fact he “hates” the Welshman and former WBO world light heavyweight champion. 

Cleverly emerged the victor after their first contest in 2011 but it was a close call and three years is a long time in boxing. 

Bellew maintains that stepping up in weight has transformed him from a weight-drained shadow into a veritable powerhouse. 

He undoubtedly possesses considerable power and is intent on stopping his opponent. 

Cleverly on the other hand feels he is no slouch in the power department either, which combined with his speed has fuelled his own confident prediction of a convincing victory come fight night.

The following week at London’s O2 Arena, Tyson Fury squares off against Dereck Chisora in a world title eliminator, while a stacked undercard includes one of the most intriguing contests in some time between Billy Joe Saunders and Chris Eubank Jr. 

For each of the aforementioned fighters a pay cheque matters less than pride. 

The huge interest generated by the bad blood involved is evidence that it provides excitement and spice upon which boxing thrives. 

Rather than polite society proving a constraint on the primitive nature of a sport like boxing, boxing is embraced as a sanctuary from polite society by many who follow it.

It is how it has always been and how it will always be.