Commonwealth light-heavyweight champion Tony Bellew will make the first defence of his title on Frank Warren’s annual charity card. This year’s DebRA show will take place on Friday 24th September at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London. Previous events have helped raise hundreds of thousands of pounds for DebRA.
It is the national charity working on behalf of people in the UK with the genetic skin blistering condition Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB.).
Now in it’s fifth year, the black tie dinner is always a sell out, and attended by celebrities as well as as some of boxing’s biggest names.
“It’s an honour to be headlining a card for such a worthwhile charity,” said Bellew, who will put his title on the line against Bob Ajisafe.
“I fought on the card last year and was very moved by some of the tragic stories I heard that night.
“I can’t wait to put on a good show for everyone there, and help raise money for what is an excellent cause.”
The Bomber, unbeaten now in 13 fights, lifted his title with a first round KO in his last fight.
And now Nathan Cleverly is poised to fight for the interim WBO light-heavyweight title, he is eyeing the Welshman’s British and European crowns, which could become vacant.
“Everyone keeps talking about me against Nathan,” said heavy-handed Bellew, who has drawn comparisons to fellow scouser John Conteh.
“Nathan wants the fight, I want the fight and Frank Warren wants the fight, so it’s bound to happen.
“When it does there are going to be fireworks, but I’m going to knock him out because no one can deal with my power.”
CURTIS CAN INSPIRE WORLD CUP WALLIES
FRANK MALONEY believes England’s football flops should take use Curtis Woodhouse as an example to the rewards hard work can bring.
The former England Under-21 international quit professional football four years ago to fulfil his dream of becoming a world champion.
Woodhouse (13-1) is closing in on a British light-welterweight title challenge, but faces the toughest test of his career against Stefy Bull (29-6-1) at Doncaster Done on Friday (July 2).
Birmingham City and Sheffield United were among the 30-year-old’s clubs and he would still be playing at top level today had he continued his football career.
Maloney said: “England World Cup losers should look at Curtis and see what happens when you work hard at what you love.
“Curtis could have stayed playing football at a good level and earned much more money than he is for boxing, but loves his sport more than the pound notes.
“When he turned professional I looked at him and had serious doubts, but he has stuck at it and Dave Coldwell has turned him into a quality operator.”
Manager and trainer Coldwell is shocked by Woodhouse’s progress adding: “He is quick at learning, because he is eager, keen and wants to succeed.
“You show him something he works, works, works and picks it up. The improvement he has made is fantastic.”
Top of the Sky Sports televised show is local hero Jamie McDonnell (14-2) who makes the first defence of his European bantamweight title against Italian Rodrigo Bracco (11-2).
There are still some tickets left priced £35 and £70 from www.frankmaloney.com and 0871 226 1508