great interview with bellew
Posted: 25 Jan 2010, 08:14
cant wait for him to be headling the echo arena, alls he needs is a few more learning fights then he'l be ready for anyone
EVEN if he never chose to punch for pounds, Tony Bellew’s story would still remain a compelling one. The Toxteth puncher’s amateur career was one of heartbreak and triumph that culminated in a conversion to the professional code due to familiar backstage politics.
A three-time ABA champion, Bellew was an essential character in amateur boxing’s brief rally in the middle of the last decade. Liverpool’s Bellew delivered impeccably throughout this period often appearing in superb tussles against international opposition. The controversial decision to omit the exciting heavyweight from the highly successful 2006 Commonwealth Games squad was a choice that forced Bellew into the paid arena. Amateur boxing had lost its biggest personality.
Almost four years on, “Bomber” Bellew stands tall as one of British boxing’s most cherished prospects. Since forging an alliance with leading promoter allegedly, Bellew has amassed a perfect 12-0 record with two thirds of his opponents failing to hear the final bell. The unbeaten star contains high regard for his veteran guider.
“Everything has been perfect with Frank since day one,” admits Bellew. “I couldn’t wish for nothing more from him. Ever since I first turned over he has gone out of his way for me on more than one occasion. He always keeps in touch to see how I’m coping with things and when I was out injured with my hand he kept in contact on a regular basis. I know there’s a lot of other promoters out there that wouldn’t have given me the time of day. Frank’s been so loyal to me.”
My discussion with Bellew took place on a congested M62 three days after Amir Khan’s public defection to American big-hitters Golden Boy Promotions. The acquisition of the Bolton 10-stoner by Oscar De La Hoya’s company is not the first time Warren has lost his headline act.
“I was disgusted,” declares a passionate Bellew. “allegedly literally scraped Amir up off the floor in Manchester following the Prescott fight and done the best repair job in the history of our sport. Can you tell me any other promoter who has done to a fighter what Frank has done for Khan? Can you?”
Bellew added, “Every last thing that Amir wanted, Frank went out and got it for him. He delivered Mario Kindelan in front of terrestrial TV before Khan had even thrown a professional punch, he went out and got [Marco Antonio] Barrerra, and he got him a world title shot in front of his home crowd practically. He also told me this week that he had a deal in place for a unification fight with Timothy Bradley that would have taken place over here so there’s no way he can be accused of never delivering. Frank went out of his way for Amir and he didn’t deserve this.”
Bellew also blames the input of renowned trainer Freddie Roach for Khan’s upheaval. “Boxing for me is a sport made up of duties and roles,” Bellew explained. “Fighters fight, trainers train and promoters promote. When one of those roles incorporates another, you begin to get problems. Roach is a trainer and that’s all he is. He should have no other input in Khan’s career other than that of his training duties.”
Although there is many a boxing enthusiast who can grasp the reasoning in Khan’s venture stateside, one would find it difficult to negate with Bellew’s passionate stance. But what would he have done in Khan’s position?
“For me right now, nothing is better than fighting for Warren,” Bellew stated. “The man just doesn’t deliver fights, he delivers defining moments. [Jeff] Lacy, [Kostya] Tszyu, Barrerra, [Manuel] Medina, all them fighters were brought to Britain by Frank for all our big names to work with. Look at how all them nights have been remembered. If it’s not broke then don’t fix it.”
He continues, “Khan has made a mistake by signing with Golden Boy and I’ve got a feeling it’s going to be something he regrets. I’ve already heard that he’s fighting on the undercard of [Roy] Jones-[Bernard] Hopkins II in April and that’s just laughable. How can you go from winning a world title in your own backyard to defending it on an undercard of a fight that real boxing fan’s don’t even want to see. For me, nothing could ever beat fighting for world titles in front of your own people. Obviously Amir’s different.”
The passion demonstrated thus far from the Scouse prospect remains when discussing his chief target, undefeated Welshman Nathan Cleverly.
“I want the fight right now,” demands Bellew, “Obviously I can see the business side of thing by delaying it a little further but believe me, when it happens, he’s got no hope.”
“He’s a good kid with quick hands but I know every last thing about him. I’ve watched him so many times. I know he can’t fight going backwards and if he tries to stand and fight with me, I’ll destroy him. Take it from me; I’m going to be the man that ruins Nathan Cleverly. This is only going to go about seven-eight rounds and after that he’ll never be the same again. I’m going to finish him for good.”
Next up for the studious Bellew is another fight in his hometown on March 12 as chief support to the local grudge match between British super-middle boss Paul Smith and former champion Tony Dodson. Rumours of a title match for Bellew are rife and the heavy-handed Everton fan has no fear of his potential opponents at Liverpool’s Echo Arena.
“It’s looking like its going to be Ovill McKenzie or JJ Ojeuderie for the Commonwealth hopefully [if British and Commonwealth king Cleverly vacates]. I don’t really care who it is as there’s no-one who’s going to stop me going all the way. With a bit more experience and a few more rounds in the tank I’ll definitely be up there. Whether it’s Chad Dawson or Tavoris Cloud, in 18 months’ time, there isn’t going to be a light-heavyweight in the world who I’m not ready for.”
EVEN if he never chose to punch for pounds, Tony Bellew’s story would still remain a compelling one. The Toxteth puncher’s amateur career was one of heartbreak and triumph that culminated in a conversion to the professional code due to familiar backstage politics.
A three-time ABA champion, Bellew was an essential character in amateur boxing’s brief rally in the middle of the last decade. Liverpool’s Bellew delivered impeccably throughout this period often appearing in superb tussles against international opposition. The controversial decision to omit the exciting heavyweight from the highly successful 2006 Commonwealth Games squad was a choice that forced Bellew into the paid arena. Amateur boxing had lost its biggest personality.
Almost four years on, “Bomber” Bellew stands tall as one of British boxing’s most cherished prospects. Since forging an alliance with leading promoter allegedly, Bellew has amassed a perfect 12-0 record with two thirds of his opponents failing to hear the final bell. The unbeaten star contains high regard for his veteran guider.
“Everything has been perfect with Frank since day one,” admits Bellew. “I couldn’t wish for nothing more from him. Ever since I first turned over he has gone out of his way for me on more than one occasion. He always keeps in touch to see how I’m coping with things and when I was out injured with my hand he kept in contact on a regular basis. I know there’s a lot of other promoters out there that wouldn’t have given me the time of day. Frank’s been so loyal to me.”
My discussion with Bellew took place on a congested M62 three days after Amir Khan’s public defection to American big-hitters Golden Boy Promotions. The acquisition of the Bolton 10-stoner by Oscar De La Hoya’s company is not the first time Warren has lost his headline act.
“I was disgusted,” declares a passionate Bellew. “allegedly literally scraped Amir up off the floor in Manchester following the Prescott fight and done the best repair job in the history of our sport. Can you tell me any other promoter who has done to a fighter what Frank has done for Khan? Can you?”
Bellew added, “Every last thing that Amir wanted, Frank went out and got it for him. He delivered Mario Kindelan in front of terrestrial TV before Khan had even thrown a professional punch, he went out and got [Marco Antonio] Barrerra, and he got him a world title shot in front of his home crowd practically. He also told me this week that he had a deal in place for a unification fight with Timothy Bradley that would have taken place over here so there’s no way he can be accused of never delivering. Frank went out of his way for Amir and he didn’t deserve this.”
Bellew also blames the input of renowned trainer Freddie Roach for Khan’s upheaval. “Boxing for me is a sport made up of duties and roles,” Bellew explained. “Fighters fight, trainers train and promoters promote. When one of those roles incorporates another, you begin to get problems. Roach is a trainer and that’s all he is. He should have no other input in Khan’s career other than that of his training duties.”
Although there is many a boxing enthusiast who can grasp the reasoning in Khan’s venture stateside, one would find it difficult to negate with Bellew’s passionate stance. But what would he have done in Khan’s position?
“For me right now, nothing is better than fighting for Warren,” Bellew stated. “The man just doesn’t deliver fights, he delivers defining moments. [Jeff] Lacy, [Kostya] Tszyu, Barrerra, [Manuel] Medina, all them fighters were brought to Britain by Frank for all our big names to work with. Look at how all them nights have been remembered. If it’s not broke then don’t fix it.”
He continues, “Khan has made a mistake by signing with Golden Boy and I’ve got a feeling it’s going to be something he regrets. I’ve already heard that he’s fighting on the undercard of [Roy] Jones-[Bernard] Hopkins II in April and that’s just laughable. How can you go from winning a world title in your own backyard to defending it on an undercard of a fight that real boxing fan’s don’t even want to see. For me, nothing could ever beat fighting for world titles in front of your own people. Obviously Amir’s different.”
The passion demonstrated thus far from the Scouse prospect remains when discussing his chief target, undefeated Welshman Nathan Cleverly.
“I want the fight right now,” demands Bellew, “Obviously I can see the business side of thing by delaying it a little further but believe me, when it happens, he’s got no hope.”
“He’s a good kid with quick hands but I know every last thing about him. I’ve watched him so many times. I know he can’t fight going backwards and if he tries to stand and fight with me, I’ll destroy him. Take it from me; I’m going to be the man that ruins Nathan Cleverly. This is only going to go about seven-eight rounds and after that he’ll never be the same again. I’m going to finish him for good.”
Next up for the studious Bellew is another fight in his hometown on March 12 as chief support to the local grudge match between British super-middle boss Paul Smith and former champion Tony Dodson. Rumours of a title match for Bellew are rife and the heavy-handed Everton fan has no fear of his potential opponents at Liverpool’s Echo Arena.
“It’s looking like its going to be Ovill McKenzie or JJ Ojeuderie for the Commonwealth hopefully [if British and Commonwealth king Cleverly vacates]. I don’t really care who it is as there’s no-one who’s going to stop me going all the way. With a bit more experience and a few more rounds in the tank I’ll definitely be up there. Whether it’s Chad Dawson or Tavoris Cloud, in 18 months’ time, there isn’t going to be a light-heavyweight in the world who I’m not ready for.”
DD 
