Home Breaking Boxing News Tony Bellew bombs out Ilunga Makabu at Everton FC

Tony Bellew bombs out Ilunga Makabu at Everton FC

Bellew has given the crowd thrilling knockouts recently.

At Goodison Park Stadium in Liverpool on Sunday night, local boxer Tony Bellew, 33, achieved his dream of becoming a World champion when he defeated betting favourite Ilunga Makabu, 28, in front of a passionate, loud crowd.
The Matchroom Boxing promotion was billed as ‘Real Life Rocky’ due to Bellew’s role in the Sylvester Stalone movie ‘Creed’ and entering the contest he was seen by many, myself included, as the underdog.

Makabu had a fearsome reputation not only as a puncher but due to his ability and toughness. He held wins over the likes of Thabiso Mchunu and Dmytro Kucher while also being one of the few men to have stopped Glen Johnson.
Bellew had been unsuccessful in two attempts to win a World title at Light Heavyweight. He was going into the contest having won the European cruiserweight title against Mateusz Masternak in his previous fight.

At the weigh-in, Bellew was typically talkative to his unfazed foe who seemed to enjoy the occasion and was beaming with confidence.
Bellew the taller and heavier of the two stalked the southpaw Makabu at the start of the first round. Both men boxed carefully, both respectful of the threat the other carried. Near the end of the round, the scouse boxer started to open up, digging in body and head shots through the Congolese boxers high guard. Then the dangerous Ilunga replied and a solid, straight, left put Bellew on the canvas. Bellew was straight back up and comfortably beat referee Victor Loughlin’s count. The bell signalled the end of a tense opening round. The second was a quiet round, with a late flurry edging it in Bellew’s favour, as both men seemed wary of the power the other possessed and Makabu seemed to be looking to set traps.

In the third Makabu came forward looking to trade and Bellew obliged him. The accuracy was with the ‘Bomber’. With Bellew trapped in a corner, a left-right combo sent the African boxer retreating across the ring and from there on it was target practice for Bellew, as he unloaded. Tony landed solid shots in the corner and then forced Makabu against the ropes, where he unloaded heavy hooks and crosses. A big left snapped Makabu’s head and took all the energy from his body, as he collapsed to the canvas. The fight was over in a sudden, brutal and dramatic ending and the home crowd got to see their hero achieve his dream of becoming the WBC World Cruiserweight champion.

Tony Bellew vs Ilunga Makabu

After the fight, Bellew said: “I’ve said since day one that I’m one of the biggest punchers in the division and never get given credit. No one’s done that to Ilunga Makabu. No one! I am the best cruiserweight in the World, I have proven it tonight.”

Tony Bellew’s record is now 27-2-1, 17 KOs while Ilunga Makabu drops to 19-2, 18 KOs.