Skip to main content

Bellew moving on, leaving Cleverly and Warren behind

Phil D. Jay 
WBN Editor
British champion ready to climb the world rankings

Tony Bellew is currently undertaking a transitional period in his career as the charismatic Liverpudlian finds himself a free agent following the expiration of his contract with former promoter Frank Warren.

The 29 year-old, who lost a tight decision to WBO champion Nathan Cleverly in his first world title shot last year, returned with a crushing win over former European champion Danny McIntosh earlier this year and is now focusing on another world title shot.

“I was happy with display against McIntosh, there were mistakes but overall I was quite happy,” Bellew told World Boxing News.

“McIntosh has an awkward style and is not easy to look good against so to get rid of him in five one sided rounds was pleasing. I am always looking for improvement so you'll never hear me say that was perfect or even close to perfect as I over reached at times and fell in twice.

“I'll say it again though - it was pleasing to get rid of him like I did and to also show I'm far past this (European) level.

Bellew has been called out by rival Cleverly in recent weeks, but is sceptical about the Welshman’s advances after pushing for a rematch himself in the aftermath of their twelve round battle at the Echo Arena last October.

“I begged for the fight from the minute the first fight ended as the decision didn't go my way,” said Bellew.

“You know we would have had a rematch by now had I got the decision that night, which I easily could have. I asked and asked and as repeatedly told ‘he doesn't want it’ and now I have become a free agent and low and behold, the very next day I am seeing messages saying ‘let’s do this.’

“Why didn't we hear those calls in December, January and February? I guess it's all about timing eh?

“He waits until I am a free agent, then starts saying we can do it now… pathetic!”

‘Bomber’ is now in the process of finding a new promoter and has obviously been linked to a move to Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom stable after taking in Carl Froch’s impressive IBF title win in Nottingham nine days ago and wants to get back in the ring as soon as possible.

“You know what? - I'm past all the calling out crap now. I'll be totally honest, I just want to fight on a regular basis against people who I'm not expected to turn up and win against,” he said

“I understand every fight can't be a war, but come on - what's the point in me training for 10 weeks to turn up against a guy who is whining that he's tired in the corner after 3 rounds? Crazy!

“I want to climb the rankings and become people's mandatory contender. I don't want any hand outs.”

After winning British and Commonwealth light-heavyweight titles under Frank Warren's promotional banner, Bellew is moving on to pastures new despite the promoter claiming that the Lonsdale belt holder is still under contract and the rugged Scouser clarified that fact to WBN.

“I have no situation with Frank,” confirmed Bellew. “I'm a free agent so there is no situation at all. I wish Frank all the best and I'll move on. 

"Once certain things go wrong in a professional relationship, like a boxer/manager relationship, then it's time to move on and that's exactly what I've done,” he added.

Popular posts from this blog

The Tragedy of Billy Collins Jr.

Phil D. Jay WBN Editor  Collins after the fight Williams Ray Collins Jr. or Billy Collins Jr. as he became known, was born to a boxing father in Antioch, Tennessee in 1961. His father William Sr, once fought Welterweight Champion Curtis Cokes and wanted his boy to follow in his footsteps, so decided to train Billy himself. Collins Jr. turned pro in 1981, a welterweight, just like his father before him and impressively won his first 14 professional contests, 11 by knockout with eight inside the first three rounds. It was 1983 and Billy was matched up against Puerto Rican journeyman Luis Resto on the undercard of Roberto Duran v Davey Moore at Madison Square Garden in a ten rounder. Resto wasn’t known for his punching power but Billy took a sustained beating for the full ten rounds, his face, badly damaged and his eyes were almost shut. After the fight, which Resto won on decision, Billy’s father shook Resto’s hand and noticed there wasn’t much padding in his gl...

Ashley Theophane talks US return, Ricky Burns sparring and future fights

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor ‘Treasure’ training for August 24 return Former British light-welterweight champion Ashley Theophane is aiming to put the disappointment of his loss to Darren Hamilton behind him when he makes his comeback in Charlotte, North Carolina on August 24. The 31 year-old, who has fought some of the top fighters between 140 and 154lbs, planned to take 18 months out of chasing his world title dream to win a British Lonsdale belt outright and just fell short with points defeat to Hamilton in May after making two defences. The Londoner is now returning to the US to re-establish his headline status on American soil. He fights for the 38th time in his career against an opponent yet to be named at NC Music Factory’s Reelworks Studios and is currently preparing to get back to winning ways. “Training has gone well for this fight. I've been in the gym for nearly nine weeks so I'm in great shape and ready to go,” Theophane told World Boxing News. ...

Rico Ramos captures world super- bantamweight title with KO

Phil D. Jay WBN Editor ‘Suavecito’ scores 20th straight win over Shimoda Undefeated Californian Rico Ramos produced a world-class left hand in the seventh round of his WBA title challenge against Japan’s Akifumi Shimoda to rip the belt away from the older southpaw in his first defence. The 24 year-old looked far from a world champion in the first five rounds, only gaining a foothold in the fight in round six, but ultimately produced the equalizer in the seventh to take the crown. Shimoda, 26, will be furious with himself as he bossed the majority of the fight and was up five rounds to one on my card going into the seventh round. One lapse in concentration with only thirty seconds left in round seven and Shimoda hit the canvas. The champion tried to get up at the count of nine, but stumbled over and the referee counted him out. The now former champion stayed down for a full minute before being helped to his feet and realising he no longer held the WBA belt. Also on the card i...