By Terence Dooley

Heavyweight prospect Martin Bakole Ilunga, the brother of former cruiserweight world challenger Ilunga Makabu (20-2, 19 KOs), has issued a challenge to Tony Bellew (29-2-1, 19 KOs), the man who beat his sibling in three rounds in May 2016 to win the vacant WBC 200lb title.

Ilunga (8-0, 6 KOs) is training with Billy Nelson, Ricky Burns’ former trainer, in a quiet part of Scotland as he bids to get into heavyweight contention and secure a dream fight with “Bomber” Bellew. 

After moving from South Africa to the UK, he ended up in Airdrie and the 6’ 6’’ vegetarian continues his quest for revenge by picking up a TKO win at Bowlers in Manchester on a Pat Barrett-promoted show this past Saturday night.

 

“I have really settled here,” stated Ilunga when speaking to Michael Gannon of the Daily Record and Sunday Mail.  “I enjoy it in Greengairs...I feel at home.  The weather is a bit different but I don't mind it.”

His brother floored Bellew in the first round of their fight before being dropped and stopped in the third by the Liverpudlian at Bellew’s beloved Goodison Park, the home of Everton FC.  The 34-year-old defended the belt against BJ Flores (W RSF 3) then stepped up to fight David Haye at heavyweight (W TKO 11) after Haye injured his Achillies tendon in round six (Bellew also suffered a broken hand in the contest), which placed him firmly on the radar of the other Ilunga brother.

 “I want to avenge that defeat for my brother,” he said.  “It was not used as an excuse at the time but he suffered a knee injury in that fight and eventually it required surgery.  He should not have lost but I would love the chance to fight Bellew.” 

Nelson echoed this sentiment when talking about his latest charge.  “Martin would beat Bellew,” he concurred.  “I'd fancy him against any of the heavyweights around.”

“We are going to take our time but I would be comfortable chucking him in the ring with any domestic heavyweight in the UK right now—apart from Anthony Joshua,” added Nelson when discussing their route to heavyweight success.

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