From Everton Park to Goodison Park- Tony Bellew- Making Dreams Come True

From Everton Park to Goodison Park- Tony Bellew- Making Dreams Come True

By Michael Richards

From a professional career that has spanned over 11 years, Tony Bellew could have only dreamt that he would transition from operating in local sport centres to winning the most coveted of the world titles at Goodison Park to beating the once invincible David Haye, twice.

A man who came from humble beginnings, growing up in Wavertree (one of Liverpool’s less affluent areas), Tony Bellew didn’t start his boxing journey until the age of 16. Detesting road work, sit ups and press ups, Bellew was only interested in standing toe-to-toe and fighting with the person standing in front of him. Even now you won’t see him back down when it’s time to trade blows (ask David Haye). He built up his ring craft and honed his power in a successful amateur career in which he won 3 consecutive ABA Heavyweight Titles, culminating with a record of 40-7 (32 KO’s).

Bellew transferred what he had learnt to a professional ring. Fighting early on at Goresbrook Leisure Centre and Everton Park Sports Centre, Bellew worked his way up through the light heavyweight rankings, having two world title shots in the process. His brash nature often igniting fight build ups (ask Cleverly and Stevenson), adding to his fan base and making people want to watch him (as a supporter or as someone wanting him to be levelled out).

After 2 failed world title challenges, it seemed natural that Bellew would step up to his more natural weight of Cruiserweight, earning a world title shot against the feared Ilunga Makabu. In what was a career defining fight, Tony Bellew stepped into the ring at his beloved Goodison Park with Z Cars passing through the throngs of supporters, in a scene reminiscent of Gladiator.

Despite a predominantly sensible first round, one straight backwards step let to him being dropped by a Makabu left hand, braking his nose in the process. Senses unaffected, Bellew used the next 2 rounds to box Makabu, gaining a foothold and the upper hand in the fight. By the time Makabu was forced back onto the ropes in Round 3, Bellew had smelt blood, his fighting instinct he had from day 1, kicking in, landing a left hook, that ultimately was too much, sending Ilunga Makabu back to DR Congo, empty-handed.

It was written in the stars that night that Bellew would not be denied. In front of his own, at his personal Mecca, it was only going to end one way.

Since that night, he has gone on to secure not only his families future, but also his legacy in boxing. Successfully defending his WBC Cruiserweight title against David Haye’s nightclub partner BJ Flores, before going on to defeat the afore-mentioned Haye, not once but twice. Not bad for a “Fat Scouser” as Bellew commonly refers to himself as.

So whats next for “The Bomber”? Fight on or call it at day and retire as a British Boxing Legend? One thing is for sure, whether he goes on to fight the winner of the upcoming World Boxing Super Series, fights another Heavyweight Superstar or hangs up his gloves, he’s proven many people wrong and is testament to the fact that dreams do come true.