South African puncher Ilunga Makabu insists that Tony Bellew is in for a nightmare experience when the pair clash for the vacant WBC cruiserweight title at Goodison Park in Liverpool, England, on Sunday.

Makabu, who is rated No. 5 by THE RING at 200 pounds, brings a fearsome knockout record to the table, with 18 of his 19 wins coming inside the distance, and the 29-year-old southpaw is determined to silence the hometown support and make Bellew his latest victim.

“People expect me to be scared of the occasion as the stadium will be full of his people cheering him and booing me,” said Makabu in a press release issued by Matchroom Boxing. “Tony must not wait for his people to get behind him to start fighting – as once we are in there, no-one can help him. It’s just me and him!

“I am the ‘King of Knockouts’ and for sure I will knock him out. I’m not going to be surprised and the people shouldn’t be shocked when they see me knock Tony Bellew out. I’m not going to wait for this fight to go the distance. I will knock Tony out much before then. He won’t be able to survive 8 or 10 rounds with me, let alone 12 – no way.”

On the undercard, Stephen Smith takes on Daniel Brizuela at junior lightweight and his brothers, Paul and Callum, will see action at super middleweight. Sean Dodd faces Pasquale Di Silvio at lightweight, while Tom Farrell meets Kofi Yates at 140 pounds. Liverpool heavyweight favorite David Price returns to action and there’s a host of young talent on display, including British light heavyweight champion Hosea Burton, Preston’s Commonwealth gold medalist Scott Fitzgerald, JJ Metcalf, Paul Economides, Gerard Carroll, Craig Glover and Steve Brogan.

Tickets are on general sale now priced £40, £60, £100 and £200 and can be purchased by visiting www.evertonfc.com/eticketing, or by calling 0151 556 1878*. Alternatively, tickets can be purchased in person by visiting the Park End ticket office or our City Centre ticket facility in Everton Two, Liverpool One. £350 VIP tickets will be available exclusively from www.matchroomboxing.com

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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