Liverpool’s Tony Bellew looks to take a step closer to another world title shot when he battles the South Afraican based Malawian Isaac Chilemba for the WBC ‘Silver’ Light Heavyweight title in the Echo Arena.
Bellew was given a firm reminder of what can happen in boxing last month when his long term friend David Price was upset in two rounds by the unfancied Tony Thompson in the same arena. But ‘Bomber’ insists he is fully focused on Chilemba.
‘He’s got a lot of skills’ said Bellew. ‘He’s shown how he can get up off the floor to win, and shown he can mix it with good fighters like Miranda and Thomas Oosthuizen [who Chilemba drew with back in 2010].’
Despite calling Chilemba the ‘most complete fighter I’ve fought’, Bellew insists he is in perfect condition for the fight, and says he will impress in his hometown.
‘He’s a good fighter; nobody gets an easy touch for a world title eliminator. But if he isn’t at his best, I’ll blow him away’ said Bellew.
"I'm really close to a world title shot now and we're within touching distance of it. I can’t slip up.’
‘Tony has the World at his feet right now,’ added promoter Eddie Hearn. ‘All Tony has to do is get through Isaac Chilemba and he will get that shot at Dawson or Pascal (who fight for the WBC Light Heavyweight strap in May). I say all he has to do but Chilemba will pose a huge test and has the same opportunities. It's a big test for Tony and the rewards are huge.’
‘Golden Boy’ Chilemba will indeed pose a firm test for the once beaten Bellew. Posting an impressive record of 20-1-1, Chilemba has teamed up with former world champion ‘Buddy’ McGirt in the run up to the fight, and he feels this will give him an extra edge come March 30th.
‘Working with Buddy has been great’ Chilemba told EastSideBoxing.com. ‘Buddy is a fantastic trainer and he has improved on my skills greatly. I needed someone who could take me to that next level and that’s exactly what Buddy has done. Training in the U.S. has been great; the training and the sparring I get here is superior to anywhere else I have ever trained in my life. The vibe and atmosphere in the gyms are very motivating and it drives me to work harder day in and day out.’
‘Bellew is a very worthwhile opponent and I am not underestimating him on any level, but my team and I are extremely confident going into this fight’ he continued. ‘I know that fighting on foreign soil is never easy, but whether it is by KO or on points, I only see this fight ending in one way, and that is with my hand being raised as the clear-cut winner.’