By Shaun Brown
Britain’s Tony Bellew (26-2-1, 16 KOs) has vacated his European cruiserweight title.
The 33-year-old Liverpudlian won the belt in one of his biggest wins to date when beating Mateuz Masternak for the vacant title last month at London’s O2 Arena. In a back and forth contest it was Bellew who got the judges nod with a unanimous decision points victory.
Purse bids were due tomorrow (January 7) after the EBU called for Bellew to defend his newly acquired championship against Ukraine’s Dmytro Kucher (23-1-1, 17 KOs). With Marco Huck (the number one challenger with the EBU) set to fight Ola Afolabi once more on February 27, Kucher may find himself up against Firat Arslan (EBU number three) or Ovill McKenzie (EBU number four) for the now vacant title.
Bellew’s European belt can now be added to the British and Commonwealth light heavyweight titles he won between 2010 and 2012. Bellew, who can now be seen displaying his acting abilities as well as his punching ones in the movie Creed, will now turn his attentions to a third world title opportunity, having come unstuck against Nathan Cleverly (WBO) and Adonis Stevenson (WBC) when campaigning at 175lbs.
Speaking to Boxing Scene earlier tonight (January 6) his promoter Eddie Hearn said: “The only goal is a world title. We thank the EBU for the opportunity and a wonderful fight with Masternak but I am going to deliver Tony a shot at the world title this spring/summer.”
The Matchroom boss told ‘Scene on January 2 that he was keen on his man challenging IBF world champion Victor Ramirez or going for the bolder move of a May showdown with WBA champion Denis Lebedev in an outdoor fight at Goodison Park, the home of Bellew’s beloved Everton Football Club.
As things stand Bellew finds himself best positioned with three of the world governing bodies. A number four ranking with the WBO, six with the IBF and nine with the WBA respectively.
Shaun Brown is Boxing Scene’s UK News Editor. Follow him on Twitter @sbrown2pt0 Contact him at sbrownboxing@gmail.com
