Tony Bellew Adds Luke Willis To Managerial Roster

[Ruthless-RKO]

Tony Bellew Adds Luke Willis To Managerial Roster

Tony Bellew may well have been out of the ring since losing to Oleksandr Usyk nearly two years ago –– but the Liverpudlian is still very much involved in boxing.

The former WBC cruiserweight world champion took on the Ukrainian superstar at Manchester Arena back in November 2018 and was stopped inside eight rounds.

Bellew had previously won the aforementioned world title at Goodison Park, the home of his beloved Everton Football Club, before taking on David Haye twice and eventually retiring with his head held high.

Now, the 37-year-old is managing fighters and has stated just how difficult it can be to make the transition.

Thomas Whittaker-Hart, Meshech Speare and Jazza Dickens are just three of the fighters having their careers guided by ‘Bomber’, with the latter in action next month at York Hall in Bethnal Green, London.

“Thomas is going to be back out in September,” Bellew told Matchroom Boxing’s Before The Bell show recently. “Eddie’s going to get him out and I’m loyal to them so they’re loyal to me.”

Speare has yet to be given a fight date but, training under the tutelage of Derry Mathews and George Vaughan in his home city of Liverpool, is looking to campaign at super-featherweight or lightweight.

Dickens, the former British super-bantamweight champion and current IBF European featherweight king, is just weeks away from facing Ryan Walsh in the final of the MTK Global featherweight Golden Contract tournament.

Craig Glover is another one under Bellew’s wing and the cruiserweight –– who was stopped by Chris Billam-Smith last year as the pair clashed for the vacant Commonwealth crown at the M&S Bank Arena on Merseyside –– is keen to get back in there after such a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

“Craig Glover is willing to fight anyone,” Bellew continued. “He feels down on himself and he wants a big win, he was fantastic against Simon Vallily and he’s got all the attributes and ability. It’s just when you get under the lights some nights, things can be slightly different and some fighters suffer with that.”

A promising addition to Bellew’s stable is Luke Willis. The lightweight prospect, who is training at No Limits gym, is undefeated in nine fights with one quick and, after leaving Steve Wood, he has teamed up with Bellew.

Willis has been out of the ring since November 2018 and Bellew is keen to get a date for his newest recruit.

[Fray Bentos]

Any chance Luke Willis and Meshech Speare related to the former Scouse standouts Tony Willis and Carl Speare?

[Counter-puncher]

Any chance Luke Willis and Meshech Speare related to the former Scouse standouts Tony Willis and Carl Speare?

Adam Smith currently salivating over the prospect of either of them having a couple of brothers who box 'FIGHTING faaaaaamily, boxing's in their blood'

[Fray Bentos]

Any chance Luke Willis and Meshech Speare related to the former Scouse standouts Tony Willis and Carl Speare?

Adam Smith currently salivating over the prospect of either of them having a couple of brothers who box 'FIGHTING faaaaaamily, boxing's in their blood'

True story, I was working in Liverpool alongside this fella with the surname Foran and I goes 'are you by any chance related to the famous fighting family of...' and he goes 'yeah, my great granddad was Ginger Foran...' and he was totally amazed I knew about it... throw a brick in the air in Liverpool and...

[Counter-puncher]

Any chance Luke Willis and Meshech Speare related to the former Scouse standouts Tony Willis and Carl Speare?

Adam Smith currently salivating over the prospect of either of them having a couple of brothers who box 'FIGHTING faaaaaamily, boxing's in their blood'

True story, I was working in Liverpool alongside this fella with the surname Foran and I goes 'are you by any chance related to the famous fighting family of...' and he goes 'yeah, my great granddad was Ginger Foran...' and he was totally amazed I knew about it... throw a brick in the air in Liverpool and...

'Fighting City'

two down on Smith Bingo

[Delta Jay]

Willis is really, really good. Slick southpaw and struggled to get fights. Hopefully kicks on now