By Terence Dooley
Tony Bellew goes into tomorrow's Commonwealth title defence against Bob Ajisafe knowing that his southpaw opponent could be a potential banana skin on the road to bigger title nights. Ajisafe, 8-1 (2), gave Carl Dilks fits before losing a three round decision in their Prizefighter: The Light-heavyweights clash last February. The Sheffield-based fighter has nothing to lose going into his fight with Bellew, which takes place at the Hilton Hotel, London, 'Bomber', therefore, has been keen to ensure that his preparation was tiptop for this one.
“Sparring has gone good. I've sparred James DeGale, upcoming pros and prospects – I can't wait for the fight. James is a mate of mine and he knew that he wouldn't find anyone as big or strong as me for [Carl] Dilks so we helped each other out,” revealed Bellew.
“I expect the fight to be tough. It could go long but he hasn't got the physical or mental capabilities to beat me. He's got a dig in that left hand but once I find my range I can't see it going too far. When I land, no one can stay with me. [Matchmaker] Dean [Powell] and Frank [Warren] want me to fight different styles to bring me on. I'll go in there and go about my business and think he'll be out of there once I start landing.
“People always know that I'm a serious guy and an exciting fighter. Frank wants me out on Sky to give me exposure. I've got to make the most of it, take my time and people will see that I'm a level above these guys.”
Bellew's long-term goal is a multi-title showdown with promotional stablemate Nathan Cleverly. Indeed, Tony feels that he won't have achieved anything in boxing until he's gone past Cleverly and into the world title mix.
“It hasn't really sunk in,” said Bellew when asked about life as a Commonwealth champion. “I don't feel I've achieved something yet. I won't feel like that until I'm on world titles. I don't regard myself as a champion yet. I will just go in there, keep on winning and doing the best I can. It is good to hear people calling you 'champ' but I've still go to keep winning and prove myself.”
He added: “I'd love to look back, see that I worked really hard and have a nice trophy case to see what I've done and a few quid in the bank to make life better. I'm in this game to be the best I can be.”
Bellew is known for celebrating wildly when knocking opponents out early; the Liverpudlian is an approachable, affable individual outside of the ring, once he gets his fight head on he becomes a different character. Tony told me that his wilder celebrations always come after a quick KO win.
“I'm easy to deal with and get on with almost everybody. I've got a lot of friends in boxing but I change when I get in the dressing room. I put the low blow guard on and I just want to do damage. All I think about is the task in hand and what I've got to do,” insisted the 27-year-old fighter.
“When you go past two or three rounds you get more relax and take the win in your stride. When it is over in seventy odd seconds you think about all that work and frustration and just want to let out a big scream. You sometimes want to tell the opponent to get up and carry on.
“I have pent up frustration when I'm training and it just comes out when I win. I'm not going to change. People tell me to calm down but every fight is a world title fight for in in terms of preparation. I'm prepared to fight every fight like it is my last. I train like every night is going to be my killer night, like Carl Froch had when he met Jean Pascal, so I want to be prepared when that night comes, because I know it will come.
“People say I'm going to blow Ajisafe away but it doesn't mean that you can't get into a hard night. So I prepare to make sure that doesn't happen to me. I'd never, ever let someone off the hook. If you get hurt against me then only the referee or the bell will save you. I'll go to any lengths to win and am in there every second as the fight goes on,” stressed the 13-0 (9) puncher.
The 175lb division has taken shape in recent months. Jean Pascal became the consensus king by defeating Chad Dawson on a cut eye TKO in August, the Canadian takes on Bernard Hopkins ahead of a rematch with Chad. However, Bellew believes that 'Bad' Chad will establish his superiority over the division in coming years.
“Chad Dawson and Pascal was a good fight. I think Dawson will win the rematch, without a doubt. Pascal is there to be hit. The division is wide-open. Pascal does have fast hands, he isn't the next Roy Jones but he is a world class fighter. Dawson is the elite man with the elite skills for me. Even though he lost, he was coming on in the eleventh round,” he mused, before turning his attention to IBF boss Tavoris Cloud.
“Cloud is an aggressive fighter who is small for the weight and he got a good win over Glen Johnson. I feel the division is there for the taking. I'd like to win the British title after this and head for the European then take on someone like Yusaf Mack or Johnson, someone who I'd get rounds with. But this is all pie in the sky for now because I need to beat Ajisafe and look good doing it. The more I can put my stamp on the division domestically the better my chances of getting the bigger fights.”
Sky Sports 1 and HD1 televise the fight from 10pm Friday.
