By Scott Gilfoid: If Tony Bellew (18-1, 12 KO’s) can get past his opponent tonight Roberto Bolonti (30-1, 19 KO’s) in their fight for the vacant WBC Silver light heavyweight title in Nottingham, Bellew wants to go after a fight against WBC light heavyweight champion Chad Dawson (31-2, 17 KO’s). Bellew thinks he knows how to beat Dawson after watching Andre Ward take him apart last September.

Bellew said to Sky Sports Ringside “I still feel Chad Dawson is the best light heavyweight in the world, even with the Andre Ward defeat. But I want to force him into fighting me because I don’t believe that he will choose me. I’ve seen the blueprint in how to beat him. I want to get into the ring with Chad Dawson. I believe I can beat Chad Dawson.”

I think Bellew wouldn’t stand a chance against Dawson. Sure, Dawson was dominated by the much quicker and skilled Ward, but that was a much different situation than what Bellew would be bringing to the table. Ward is incredibly fast, has a superb jab, throws lightning fast combinations and is an outstanding inside fighter.

With Bellew, he’s just a guy throws big single shots from the outside. He’s got a decent left hook and right hand, but he’s not fast and he can’t fight on the inside. Dawson will see Bellew’s badly telegraphed punches from a mile away and either block them or duck the shots. In the meantime, Dawson would pound out a decision using his jab and beautiful combinations. The skill levels between Dawson and Bellew are fairly dramatic. Dawson is a master fighter, whereas Bellew is still finding his way among the fringe level contenders.

Bellew should worry about trying to get past the tough Bolonti tonight because this is a fight that Bellew could very well lose. Bolonti is pretty tough and reminds me of a light heavyweight version of Marcos Maidana. Bellew says he wants to go straight at this guy and try to take him out.

I think that’s a bad idea. We’ve already seen Bellew get dropped left and right by Ovill McKenzie in their first fight in 2010, and Bolonti punches with at least the same power as McKenzie except that he can punch with huge power with either hand and he throws combinations rather than just single shots. Bellew didn’t look comfortable getting hit by McKenzie in either of their fights, and Bellew looked timid for much of his last fight against Edison Miranda last September.