Tony Bellew says he’ll follow up Everton’s stunning win over Manchester United on Saturday with a comprehensive KO victory against Atoli Moore on March 12. And the Evertonian has invited fellow young guns Dan Gosling and Jack Rodwell to be his ringside guests when he challenges for the Commonwealth light-heavyweight title at the Echo Arena.
“I took time off training on Saturday to watch the Toffees,” said unbeaten Bellew, 27. The blue half of the city was buzzing on Saturday afternoon after the game and it gave me a real boost ahead of my first title fight..
“The win against Man Utd showed that we’ve got some cracking young footballers in this city, but don’t forget the boxers as well.
“The talent around at the moment is unbelievable.
“Paul Smith has got a lot of attention because he is the British super-middleweight champion, and I’m creating a stir by challenging for my first title.
“But don’t forget the other Smith brothers and Joe Selkirk, because they are seriously talented as well.
“Hopefully the footballers from both Liverpool and Everton will get behind us.
“I know that Steven Gerard and Jamie Carragher are big boxing fans, but I want to get some of the Everton boys interested as well.
“If Dan and Jack want to come to the fight then they can be my guests of honour and see me knocking out Moore.”
Tickets for ‘The Pride of Merseyside’ are priced at £40, £50, £100, £150 and £200 and are available from:
Liverpool Echo Arena Box Office
0844 8000 400
www.echoarena.com
See Tickets
0871 2200 260
www.seetickets.com
Tony Bellew Gets First Title Shot
Tony Bellew has been given his first title opportunity by promoter Frank Warren on March 12 at the Liverpool Echo Arena. The Bomber will face unbeaten Ghanaian Atoli Moore in a challenge for the vacant Commonwealth light-heavyweight crown. Atoli, a 27-year-old from Accra, has an impressive 10-0 (6) record and comes to the ring as Ghana’s light-heavyweight champion. But Bellew is confident of lifting the belt once held by fellow scouser and legend John Conteh.
“It’s fantastic to be given this chance,” said Bellew. “I’ve always said that I’ve wanted to follow in Conteh’s footsteps and win British, Commonwealth, European and world titles.
“Hopefully this is just the start.
“Moore is going to be a tough guy to beat. Africans have a reputation for being durable, but I don’t think that he’ll be able to stand up to my bombs.”
Bellew, 27, has a 12-0 record with eight stoppages, but Moore isn’t intimidated.
“I am coming to England to destroy this man and win the title,” said the man known as the Deadly Spear.
“He will be lucky to still be standing after three rounds in the ring with me.”