Bellew defeats Makabu, wins WBC title

By Boxing News - 05/29/2016 - Comments

bellew7By Jim Dower: In a surprise ending, #6 WBC Tony Bellew (27-2-1, 17 KOs) scored a surprise 3rd round knockout victory on Sunday night over #1 WBC Ilunga Makabu (19-2, 18 KOs) to win the vacant WBC cruiserweight title at Goodison Park in LLiverpool, England.

Bellew hurt Makabu with a big right hand that staggered him and sent him back against the ropes. Bellew then flurried on Makabu until he collapsed onto the canvas. referee Victor Louglin then stopped the fight with Makabu on the canvas. The last two right hands that Bellew landed were with Makabu slumped over against the ropes and out cold.

Earlier in the fight, Bellew was knocked down by a hard left hand from Makabu in the 1st round that caused Bellew to do a somersault on the canvas and get up. Bellew had a bloody nose from that experience.

Even before the referee had officially stopped the fight, Bellew had turned his back and was celebrating the victory. He knew that the fight was going to be stopped. He immediately sank to the floor and appeared to cry.

Makabu, 28, gave it his best shot but he made a mistake tonight in backing up to the ropes one time too many, and he paid it for dearly in getting knocked out in a vicious manner. Some fighters can battle well while backed up against the ropes. Makabu isn’t one of them. He showed that in his past fights, and it’s surprising that his trainer didn’t keep him from doing this in the Bellew fight.

Makabu is too deliberate of a puncher for him to fight well while backed against the ropes. He’s the type of fighter that puts a lot of thought behind every shot. To do well against the ropes, you need to be indictive and above all, you must let your hands go. Makabu was frequently just covering up and letting Bellew throw punches and waiting for him to stop punching before he’d throw a shot.

When Bellew caught Makabu up against the ropes in the 3rd, he just continued to throw punches without stopping until Makabu was knocked out. It was a rookie mistake by Makabu and he must learn from this otherwise he’ll continue to have problems when backed against the ropes. Makabu’s last opponent Thabiso Mchunu had success against him when he would cover up against the ropes. Makabu was able to score a knockout over him in the 11th, but he was trailing at the time of the stoppage.