Tony Bellew says he would love to take on WBO Cruiserweight champion ‘Captiain’ Marco Huck as he prepares for his bow at the weight on Saturday against Valery Brudov at the Echo Arena in Liverpool live on Sky Sports – a fight Huck’s promoter today called ‘inevitable’.
Bellew moves up to 200lbs after challenging Adonis Stevenson for the WBC Light Heavyweight title in November. The Liverpool star begins life at Cruiserweight against the former four-time World title challenger with the vacant WBO International belt up for grabs – and victory would move him into a great position in the division dominated by the German champion after just one fight.
Huck’s promoter Kalle Sauerland told World Boxing News that he had spoken to Eddie Hearn about a clash between the two would be one of ‘the biggest draws ever in the division’ after Bellew finds his feet at Cruiserweight, and Bellew says that the German is the man he wants to face in his third World title tilt.
“The four champions in the Cruiserweight division are all World class guys and always been operating in the upper echelons of the game,” said Bellew. “Their losses always seem to be one-offs that they bounce back from. Marco Huck is such an exciting fighter, the most watchable in the division without a shadow of a doubt, he loves a fight and he’s dangerous and brutal. Krzysztof Wlodarczyk (WBC) is possibly the most solid of the champions, he does everything well and can win in many different ways. Guillermo Jones (WBA) and Yoan Pablo Hernandez (IBF) are the two biggest fighters in the division, both 6ft4in, both southpaws, very powerful guys and very skilful too.
“I want to make my mark in the division, and there’s no point starting off with a few easy fights as I want to win a World title, so we begin with Valery Brudov who has had 45 fights, more KOs than I’ve had fights so it’s dangerous. But if I am going to be anything in this division I have to beat him and look good doing it. It’s a test and one that will let me know where I am.”
Bellew’s clash with Brudov tops a great night of action in Liverpool, as popular Super Middleweight Rocky Fielding defends his Commonwealth title against former champion Charles Adamu.
Unbeaten Welterweight star Kell Brook faces Alvaro Robles in a ten-round clash, London Lightweight Kevin Mitchell will also be in action on Merseyside as he builds towards a big fight in the summer. Mitchell’s gym-mate John Ryder has been added to the bill in a six-round clash as he prepares for a British Middleweight title eliminator on April 5, exciting youngster Robbie Davies Jnr faces his fifth pro fight, Liverpool’s Neil Perkins continues his hunt for a first title shot against Londoner Erick Ochieng and local lads Ryan Moorhead and Adam Ismail also in action.
Tickets are on sale priced £30, £40, £60 and ringside seats at £100 available from the Echo Arena on 0844 8000 400 and at www.echoarena.com
