Tony Bellew Impressive in Stoppage of Okoth in London
By Terence Dooley
Tony Bellew blew aside Nick Okoth in three rounds at The Marriott, London to register his tenth professional win and serve a notice of intent on the domestic light-heavyweight division.
Bellew believes that he is on the right track, he told The Liverpool Echo that this win sets him up nicely for an appearance on the upcoming Tony Quigley-Paul Smith British super-middleweight title fight.
“The finish was good, I really enjoyed it,” enthused Bellew. “I caught him with a lovely right uppercut which lifted his chin into the air then followed it up with a right over the top which ended it. The referee got to eight then waved it off and for only the second time since I turned pro I was happy with my performance.”
However, Bellew had to be wary of Okoth, who can be a handful if you allow him to get into the fight.
“He wasn’t hard to hit but he was tough, probably the toughest man I’ve ever boxed,” continued Bellew. “I hit him with a massive right uppercut, left hook in the opening round but he just kept coming. So I set a good pace, and started working the body to slow him.
“Midway through the second I slipped his jab but he came through and butted me flush on the head and for a second I thought I was cut for the first time ever. I dabbed away at my head with my glove and stupidly gave him a free shot at my body. It’s another lesson learned.”
Bellew is now 10-0 (7); he is certain that promoter Frank Warren will push him forward during 2010 as Tony continues to jostle for a position at the light-heavyweight table.
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