Bellew v Chilemba

[the golden vision]

Tony Bellew will face Isaac ‘Golden Boy’ Chilemba in an official final eliminator for the WBC light heavyweight World title in Betfair’s ‘No Retreat, No Surrender’ at the Echo Arena on March 30.

The fight is the last step to a second World title shot for ‘Bomber’ Bellew, who moved through the gears in 2012 with a devastating KO over Danny McIntosh in a British title defence in April, a ninth round stoppage win over Edison Miranda in September and dug deep through a terrible cut against Roberto Bolonti in November to reach this pivotal point in his career.

Malawian Chilemba is ranked at number five in the WBC and also defeated Miranda in 2012, one of the 25 year olds’ 20 wins in his 22 fight career – as tough a test as Bellew could face as he stands on the cusp of World title glory.

“It’s a massive night and a really tough opponent for the right to fight for the big one,” said Bellew. “Isaac is a top class opponent; he beat Miranda at late notice and has only one defeat on his record from five years ago, so he’ll be well up for this and he’s in good form.

“But I’m on the edge of a World title fight and I’ve worked too hard to give it away now. It’s a great card on show for the Liverpool fans and I am sure they will turn out in force on March 30.”

A rematch of the domestic fight of the year for 2012 between Derry Mathews and Anthony Crolla for the Commonwealth lightweight title provides the chief support to Bellew’s crunch clash with Chilemba, with Liverpool’s Rocky Fielding defending his English super middleweight title against Wayne Reed, unbeaten lightweight Scotty Cardle in action in his ninth pro contest, Callum Smith boxes in his hometown for the first time and GB London Olympic captain Tom Stalker will appear after he announced he will turn pro with Matchroom Sport.

[the golden vision]

It's a great looking undercard too.

[JLP]

Good. As I wrote the other day, I hope Bellew can get a shot at the WBC sometime this year and have a real good pay-day and a chance of glory. This is (hopefully) the final stepping stone.

[Wales]

Anyone ever seen Chilemba fight ?

[JLP]

Anyone ever seen Chilemba fight ?

Not me. I'll have a dig around tonight to see if there is any footage available.

[whiskey]

Bellew talks to Kugan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2keqFpq ... uw&index=1

[jameswilson]

There is (or certainly was) footage on youtube of Chilemba beating Miranda fairly easily on points. He also drew down at Supermiddleweight with Thomas Oosthuizen in South Africa. Definately Bellew's best opponent barring Cleverley. A final eliminator so even if it was a mug you'd accept it because it gets Tony a shot at the belt if he wins. Also Chilemba is rated top 15 by all 4 organisations.

[mullenman]

looking forward to the fight and looks like a good opponent with good undercard,

hopefully the boomer comes through with flying colours and gets another crack at a world title

[forcefraser]

Another fight with Cleverly would be welcome. First one was a cracker.

[Old bones Ian]

Good fight this one, Chilemba is a good boxer not the biggest puncher but a tricky guy. He has faced a few of up and comers, so knows how to beat ambitious boxers. He was down and hurt against Vlasov but got up to win, so showed heart there as well.

I favour Bellew as he has home advantage, but if this was on neutral ground it would be 50/50 for me

[el_grande_mauro_mina]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAp0lo-p8pQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZllP2zyaB4

[Wales]

Good fight this one, Chilemba is a good boxer not the biggest puncher but a tricky guy. He has faced a few of up and comers, so knows how to beat ambitious boxers. He was down and hurt against Vlasov but got up to win, so showed heart there as well.

I favour Bellew as he has home advantage, but if this was on neutral ground it would be 50/50 for me

have you seen any of those fights Ian? How did he look?

[Old bones Ian]

He's a good boxer, but can get drawn into a fight sometimes. What i have noticed is that he's a slow starter, and Bellew can take advantage of this. It takes Chilemba a couple of rounds to find his rythum, but he does have a good engine and can keep up a high workrate, with a good jab as well.
This is where Bellew might have problems as the fight goes on, if he can't keep up with the pace then he might lose rounds and let Chilemba into the fight more.

[jBacca]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2keqFpq ... 45eHFGAduw

Bomber interviewed by Kugan Cassius after the presser.

[Wa1nuts]

Looking forward to Matthews Crolla and seeing Stalker turn pro will be a great night.

[Old bones Ian]

Yeah Stalker will be an interesting addition to the bill, It does look like a good night so far.

[leforge]

Yeah Stalker will be an interesting addition to the bill, It does look like a good night so far.

more to come I think!

[jameswilson]

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xocga0 ... emba_sport

[Bomber 1]

Good. As I wrote the other day, I hope Bellew can get a shot at the WBC sometime this year and have a real good pay-day and a chance of glory. This is (hopefully) the final stepping stone.

Thank you.. This is a hard fight but one I must win to get where I wanna get..

[Bomber 1]

I've got a killer 12 weeks ahead of me.. I'm gonna have to go to the well in this fight I know that! I'm happy with that though cos the reward is a crack at the big one! This is IMO the most complete fighter I've faced so far in my career.. He does all the basics well, has a huge heart and balls and is going places! It's down to me from here to stop him, I can't wait for March 30th.. It's been a difficult 12 months but I'm happy it's all behind me and now I can focus on the future and making the childhood dream come true.. Thanks again to everyone who shows support and interest.. It's massively appreciated

[Bomber 1]

How is the eye? One of the worst cuts I've ever seen.

It's sound pal.. I've always been a good healer. Touch wood I never go through that again.. It's boxing though and a part of me is happy I proved I could get through such a crisis.. Also without my team I would of been finished so I owe them a lot..

[Datsue]

Good fight this one, Chilemba is a good boxer not the biggest puncher but a tricky guy. He has faced a few of up and comers, so knows how to beat ambitious boxers. He was down and hurt against Vlasov but got up to win, so showed heart there as well.

I favour Bellew as he has home advantage, but if this was on neutral ground it would be 50/50 for me

have you seen any of those fights Ian? How did he look?

Miranda fight: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xocga0 ... emba_sport

Fat Git already posted his fight with the unbeaten Eastern Euro fella Vlasov up-thread.

[Datsue]

How is the eye? One of the worst cuts I've ever seen.

It's sound pal.. I've always been a good healer. Touch wood I never go through that again.. It's boxing though and a part of me is happy I proved I could get through such a crisis.. Also without my team I would of been finished so I owe them a lot..

Good luck mate & respect for landing the fight. Quality stuff.

[JLP]

Good. As I wrote the other day, I hope Bellew can get a shot at the WBC sometime this year and have a real good pay-day and a chance of glory. This is (hopefully) the final stepping stone.

Thank you.. This is a hard fight but one I must win to get where I wanna get..

No worries. If you don't mind me asking, out of interest, what weight will you/did you start camp at and what's your diet look like?

[Old bones Ian]

Good luck Bomber, this has the potential to be a classic fight.