Tony Bellew to fight Ilunga Makabu for vacant WBC cruiserweight title

29 April 2016 04:53

Tony Bellew will fight Ilunga Makabu for the vacant WBC cruiserweight title at Everton's Goodison Park on May 29, promoters Matchroom have confirmed.

The fight represents Bellew's first for a world title since his step up from light-heavyweight, where he lost to both Nathan Cleverly and Adonis Stevenson, and the fulfilment of a long-held ambition in doing so at the stadium of the football club he supports.

"I'm over the moon to get this opportunity," said Bellew. "Eddie Hearn and Bill Kenwright the chairman of Everton have got this done, I can't thank them enough.

"They are both behind me 100 per cent and I'm looking forward to getting this all under way.

"I've been training for four weeks now and this is the defining fight and night of my career. The experience has been passed, I've done it all now, British, Commonwealth, European (champion) - beaten fringe contenders, former world champions - I'm ready to conquer the world.

"I was born to lift that belt on May 29, I've achieved my dream getting this fight on, I know I'm going to win, I can't and won't be defeated at Goodison Park - the greatest stadium in the world."

Victory over Makabu, of the Democratic Republic of Congo and who last lost when being stopped on his professional debut in 2008, could make Bellew Britain's 13th present world champion.

It would also conclude an unusual period in his career in which he avenged his defeat by Cleverly, played the role of Ricky Conlan in the film Apollo, and pursued a fight with former WBA heavyweight champion David Haye.

Source: PA