According to Dan Rafael of espn.com Tony Bellew and Isaac Chilemba will fight each other in a WBC Light Heavyweight elimination bout on March 30th to crown a top contender for champion Chad Dawson.
“I cannot wait for this show — it’s going to be a great night of boxing in Liverpool,” said Bellew’s promoter Eddie Hearn. “It’s a crucial night for Tony, with a win securing a well-earned second world title shot, and he has great momentum coming into the fight after performing well in 2012. Isaac is a tough customer, though, and Tony will have to be at his best to get the win.”
“It’s a massive night and a really tough opponent for the right to fight for the big one,” Bellew said. “Isaac is a top-class opponent. He beat Miranda at late notice and has only one defeat on his record from five years ago, so he’ll be well up for this and he’s in good form.
“But I’m on the edge of a world title fight, and I’ve worked too hard to give it away now. It’s a great card … for the Liverpool fans, and I am sure they will turn out in force on March 30.”
“We think that Isaac matches up well with Bellew and this is a tremendous opportunity for Isaac,” promoter Lou DiBella said. “It’s a title elimination bout, so you take the fight. You roll the dice, and if you have to go to England and fight in the other guy’s hometown for the opportunity, you go to England and fight in the other guy’s hometown. Isaac has been waiting for this opportunity.
“He’s a top-tier 175-pounder, and so is Bellew. People saw Bellew’s fight with Cleverly. It was a great fight. They saw what he did against Miranda. They saw what Isaac did against Miranda. It’s gonna be a good fight.”
