Weights: Bellew vs. Chilemba

By Boxing News - 03/29/2013 - Comments

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By Scott Gilfoid: WBC Silver light heavyweight title holder Tony Bellew (19-1, 12 KO’s) made weight on Friday for his title defense against #3 WBC Isaac Chilemba (20-1-1, 9 KO’s) for their fight tomorrow night at the Echo Arena in Liverpool, UK.

Bellew, 30, came in at 174 pounds. Chilemba weighed in at one pound less at 173. Chilemba looked like the stouter fighter of the two. Bellew looks painfully thin at 174, and needs to put some weight on.

When the two fighters came for the traditional face-off, Bellew was working hard to try and intimidate Chilemba by staring at him madly in the face in his best efforts to put the guy off his game. It didn’t work, as Chilemba smiled and mugged to the crowd while every once in a while amusingly looking back at Bellew, who never took his eyes off Chilemba the whole time. It was fun to watch because Bellew was trying so hard to scare Chilemba, and it wasn’t working. Chilemba was totally unconcerned with what Bellew was attempting to do.

Bellew has been acting very odd ever since this fight was signed. He’s looked worried, as if he’s got some self-doubt that’s been keeping him preoccupied for the last month. It must have been pure hell for him to prepare for this fight because of what will happen if he loses.

A loss for Bellew will erase his dreams of fighting WBC light heavyweight champion Chad Dawson for a world title. Bellew would probably be set back at least two years if he gets beaten, and by the time he does work himself back into position for a title shot, if he ever does, he’d be nearing 33. That’s not old, but it’s also not young either.

I doubt that Bellew would ever be able to get back to where he is right now if he gets beaten on Saturday night because the division is improving and he’s likely to get pushed down by the younger and arguably much more talented fighters.

Other weights on the card:

Derry Mathews 134.75 – Anthony Crolla 134.5
Rocky Fielding 168 – Wayne Reed 165
Jazza Dickens 121.5 – Jon Fernandes 121
Tom Stalker 140 – Andrew Harris 138



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