Bellew To Return On October 15; Smiths To Feature, Price Too?

By Elliot Foster

Tony Bellew will return to the ring in three months’ time.

The WBC cruiserweight champion is back in camp and preparing for his first defence, live on Sky Sports.

Bellew (27-2-1, 17 KOs) won the belt at Goodison Park stadium back in May, live on Sky Sports, and is set to be aired on the same channel when he faces an opponent to be confirmed.

His promoter, Eddie Hearn, has publicly stated that the fight will take place at the ECHO Arena in and has also named three potential candidates to be in the opposite corner to 33-year-old ‘Bomber’ on October 15.

BJ Flores, the former WBA interim title challenger, is in the running to face Bellew, while ex-challenger to the title at stake, Krzysztof Wlodarczyk, and mandatory challenger Maris Breidis have also been earmarked as foes for the Liverpudlian’s 31st professional outing.

And Boxing Scene understands that three of the four fighting Smith brothers –– Paul, Stephen and Callum –– will feature on the bill which has yet to be formally announced.

The trio of siblings last boxed on the Bellew world title-winning card, with Paul getting a points win, Stephen winning the WBC Silver super-featherweight title and Callum marking time ahead of a mandatory world title challenge with a six-round early victory in the super-middleweight division.

Returning heavyweight David Price, who won inside two rounds in his last fight on May 29 on the undercard of Bellew’s three-round knockout victory of Ilunga Makabu, is also expected to get another slice of action as he moves up the rankings towards a title shot.