On paper, the fight is remarkably close. Bellew has often been tagged as a come forward slugger, but that doesn’t do the Liverpudlian justice. A three time ABA champion, Bellew has shown he can box at the highest level in his 20 fight pro career. He showed great discipline boxing off the back foot in the second Ovill McKenzie fight (having been on the brink of being stopped in the pair’s first meeting), and managed to outbox Wales’ WBO world Light Heavyweight Champion Nathan Cleverly for large stretches of their encounter, before losing a razor thin majority decision in 2011.
Having stopped McKenzie (first time round), Danny McIntosh and a faded Edison Miranda, Bellew has proven he has solid, if not explosive, power in either hand, and he will likely gain Chilemba’s respect.
But the Malawian is a slick boxer himself. He has a high work rate, and is quick of both hand and foot, and picks his punches rather well.
I’d expect Bellew, who fights in Liverpool for the first since blowing away McIntosh last year, to start the aggressor of the two. Chilemba will look to counter Bellew’s jab with his straight right, and will likely be on the constant move early on. After a close first half, I expect Bellew to break clear by the eighth, perhaps knocking the challenger down late on, earning a close, but clear decision.
with his straight right, and will likely be on the constant move early on. After a close first half, I expect Bellew to break clear by the eighth, perhaps knocking the challenger down late on, earning a close, but clear decision
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