Bellew Now Ranked WBC Number One Contender

Tony Bellew is closing in on a second World title shot after moving up to number one on the WBC rankings ahead of his clash with number two ranked Isaac Chilemba on Mach 30 at the Echo Arena in Liverpool in ‘No Retreat, No Surrender’ live on Sky Sports.

The Liverpool star faces the Malawian in a final eliminator for the WBC title for the right to fight the winner of title holder Chad Dawson’s meeting with Jean Pascal on May 25 in Montreal.

Bellew’s first title shot ended in a narrow majority decision defeat to Nathan Cleverly in October 2011 and after impressive wins over Danny McIntosh, Edison Miranda and Roberto Bolonti, Bellew’s promoter Eddie Hearn is delighted to see the 30 year old in pole position to achieve World title glory.

“Tony has the World at his feet right now,” said Hearn. “All Tony has to do is get through Isaac Chilemba and he will get that shot at Dawson or Pascal. I say all he has to do but Chilemba will pose a huge test and has the same opportunities. It’s a big test for Tony and the rewards are huge.”

Bellew’s showdown with Chilemba tops a massive night of boxing on Merseyside, with the undercard topped by a rematch of the domestic fight of the year for 2012 between Derry Mathews and Anthony Crolla for the Commonwealth lightweight title.

Liverpool’s Rocky Fielding defends his English super middleweight title against Wayne Reed, unbeaten lightweight Scotty Cardle is in action in his ninth pro contest, Callum Smith boxes in his hometown for the first time and GB London Olympic captain Tom Stalker will box for the second time as a pro after his pro debut in Stalker and the Prizefighter International Heavyweights III on February 23 live on Sky Sports.

Tickets for ‘No Retreat, No Surrender’ are on sale priced £30, £40 and £60 from the Echo Arena on 0844 8000 400 and www.echoarena.com