Ilunga Makabu

By Scott Gilfoid: Despite being ranked lower than the talented and much more powerful #1 WBC Ilunga Makuba (19-1, 18 KOs), #6 WBC Tony Bellew (26-2-1, 16 KOs) is looking to get their fight to be staged at Goodison Park in Liverpool, UK. In other words, Bellew is looking to get hometown advantage in this fight rather than having the fight take place in a neutral venue or the venue of the higher ranked Makuba’s preference.

Bellew lives in Liverpool. Makuba and Bellew will be fighting for the vacant WBC cruiserweight title in a fight that will likely take place on June 4. This is the WBC title that was stripped recently from champion Grigory Drozd due to him suffering a couple of injuries that prevented him from defending the WBC title against Makuba.

Rather than the WBC just flat out giving Makuba the WBC title, which you can argue that they should have done, they selected Bellew as the guy for Makuba should fight. I wonder what the fighters ranked above Bellew must be thinking right now at seeing him get picked ahead of them.

By Scott Gilfoid: Former two-time world title challenger Tony Bellew (26-2-1, 16 KOs) will be fighting #1 WBC knockout artist Ilunga Makabu (19-1, 18 KOs) for the vacant WBC cruiserweight title at a still determined date and venue. Makabu is a bigger puncher than Adonis Stevenson in terms of his left uppercut. We saw how Stevenson was able to take Bellew apart with his big left hands. If Makabu is able to land his left uppercuts against Bellew, then it’ll be an early night for Makabu.

The WBC title was reportedly stripped from WBC champion Grigory Drozd after he suffered an injury while getting ready for a defense against the hard hitting Makabu. As such, #6 WBC Bellew will be getting the opportunity to fight Makabu for the vacant WBC title.

Bellew’s promoter Eddie Hearn is interested in having the Bellew vs. Makabu fight staged at Goodison Park, a football stadium in Liverpool, UK. It’s unclear whether Hearn will get his way or not.