Tony Bellew (R) vs. Ivica Bacurin. Photo by Dave Thompson/Getty Images

A large percentage of British fighters are huge soccer fans and that is most certainly the case with cruiserweight contender Tony Bellew, who will contest the vacant WBC world title against South African knockout artist Ilunga Makabu at his beloved Goodison Park on May 29 in Liverpool, England.

The first and only time Bellew threw down at Everton’s 40,000-seat stadium he won a fight without landing or absorbing a punch. That’s because the latest installment of the Rocky franchise, “Creed,” used the venue for its finale and “Pretty” Ricky Conlan, played by Bellew, claimed a split-decision win over Adonis Johnson, portrayed by Michael B. Jordan.

Now it’s for real and securing this dream locale was far from straightforward.

“It was a major problem at first,” laughed Bellew. “I know everyone at Everton, I’m part of that club, but initially they couldn’t do the date we wanted, which was June 4. We looked at May 28, but Ricky Burns is fighting (Michele Di Rocco) and that show was set. Finally we looked at the calendar and Sunday May 29 made perfect sense.

“It’s a bank holiday weekend and a bank holiday Sunday in Liverpool is bigger than any Saturday you’ll ever come across. People just love a bank holiday Sunday in my home city, they save up for it, and the place goes absolutely crazy. Logistically it was difficult because Sky Sports have to get back down from Scotland (following Burns-Di Rocco) but the important thing is we got through it and this will be a historical night.”

Although Bellew has yet to win a world title, he is already a star in U.K. boxing circles. His gift of the gab, pre-fight histrionics and heart-on-sleeve persona have secured the 33-year-old a solid fan base and lucrative purses, although he admits that his notorious excitability has been a hindrance.

“I’m over the moon to but I can’t get caught up in the hype this time,” said Bellew, who lost in world title bouts to Nathan Cleverly and Adonis Stevenson at light heavyweight. “From experience, all that stuff leaves you drained so I’ll enjoy the occasion but ultimately my priority is to leave the ring with that green belt around my waist.

“I’m a lot more mature and I know what’s important. I’ve surrounded myself with good people who have my best interests at heart, so fingers crossed it pays off this time.”

Bellew (26-2-1, 16 knockouts) is trained by underrated coach Dave Coldwell, who is as laid back as his fighter can be impulsive. Coldwell has succeeded in taming his charge somewhat but can the Liverpool man stay ice-cool with a genuine world title on the line at his cherished soccer fortress?

“It will be very difficult but I will detach myself from the emotional side of the occasion and focus on the game plan,” said Bellew. “A victory makes me an elite level fighter. I’ll be WBC champion in an absolute killer, action-packed, stacked division. A win here ticks so many boxes and I know what’s at stake, so I’ll stick to the game plan and follow it through.

“The pressure can’t be any bigger than my rematch with Nathan Cleverly. The first fight was fantastic; so expectations were high, Sky Sports were following me everywhere and on top of all that I had the Rocky movie contract on the table and they (the producers) were calling me on a daily basis. My kids’ future and my career were on the line that night, whereas this time I’m just trying to fulfill a childhood dream.”

“The Bomber” will put himself through a habitually torrid training camp to make sure his boyhood dream doesn’t become a nightmare. Makabu (19-1, 18 KOs), who is rated No. 4 at cruiserweight by THE RING, has opened as the odds favorite and the Englishman will require a career-best performance to repel the challenge of the hard-hitting lefty.

Bellew said, “I know Makabu is the favorite and make no mistake, I’m going in there with an animal but I just know I’m going to win. I hate southpaws but I refuse to be denied. I’ve been through too many things to let this one slip away and the (Mateusz) Masternak fight was a huge turning point. When the going got tough, I came through and I’m willing to do that once again.

“I’ve already won because I’m doing something I never thought I’d be able to do (fight for a world title at Goodison Park). Being in a movie was good but, at the end of the day, that’s the movies. Sly (Stallone) would always say to me, ‘This is only a movie, Tony,’ and he laughs when people tell him the Rocky films are bulls–t. He says, ‘I know it’s not real life, that’s why it’s called the f–kin movies.'”

On May 29, Bellew will get the chance to write his own ending.

Tom Gray is a member of the British Boxing Writers’ Association and has contributed to various publications. Follow him on Twitter: @Tom_Gray_Boxing

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