Tony Bellew (right) rumbles with Valery Brudov during his successful cruiserweight debut in March 2014. Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty Images

It is vital for any non-punching member of the boxing community to remember what a fighter goes through when preparing for battle, particularly when a world title is on the line.

This Sunday, British cruiserweight contender Tony Bellew (26-2-1, 16 knockouts) meets hard-hitting southpaw Ilunga Makabu for the vacant WBC cruiserweight title at his beloved Goodison Park soccer ground in Liverpool, England. However, early in our conversation, it was clear that “The Bomber” was approaching the end of his tether with regard to preparation.

Bellew, who is rated No. 9 by THE RING at 200 pounds, is, and always has been, terrific for a soundbite. Over the years, the charismatic 33-year-old has been just as renowned for verbal explosions outside the ring as he is for his gutsy balls-to-the-wall style within it.

But on this day, it was different. Tired. Sore. Separated from his family for long periods of time, the fighter was not in a compliant mood.

Question 1. This will be your third world title fight. Why will things be different this time around?

“Everything happens for a reason,” said Bellew.

Question 2. What kind of fight do you expect Makabu to bring?

“I’m prepared for anything,” was the jab-like response.

Makabu (r) vs. Eric Fields. Photo: Getty Images

It’s easy to start an interview but getting one back on track when you’re being tested takes a certain level of ability and quick-thinking. Bellew is highly intelligent and, if he’d so desired, could have made the next several minutes very uncomfortable with short and evasive answers.

I decided to give it my best shot and draw some passion from one of the most passionate fighters in the game and thankfully, the former British, Commonwealth and European champion acquiesced.

Question 3. You must be delighted to headline at Goodison Park and have the backing of so many of your fellow-Scousers (Liverpool natives) on this show.

“I’m amazed,” said Bellew, switching on immediately. “There was a lot of battles to get this done but it’s finally happening. Actually, I’m not focused on fighting at Goodison Park. I’m focused on the fact that I’m fighting for the WBC title. I’m not getting caught up in the hype or sidetracked.

“I’m prepared to go to war. I know that (Makabu) is a brilliant fighter and a top-level guy but I refuse to lose. I don’t care how hard he punches and I don’t care how good he can be in patches. He’s not going to be better than me over 12 rounds and that’s providing we go that far.”

Bellew, now in full-flow, continued, “Let’s see how this guy does taking punches back,” he said. “Nobody has ever nailed him on the chin or stayed with him when he’s upped the pace. Believe me; I’m the fittest fighter he’s ever fought by a country mile. He might be my biggest test at cruiserweight but I’m definitely his biggest test.”

This conversation had started slow but was heating up and the interviewer was well on his way to a unanimous decision.

Question 4. What advantages do you have over Makabu?

“My resume is better than his and the guys I’ve beaten are more proven,” said Bellew. “I’ve beaten former European champions, former world champions and number one contenders and, while most of these fights were at light heavyweight, I have brought my power up with me.

“I fought for a world title in my 16th fight. People stopped the bus when Anthony Joshua fought for the title in his 16th fight and Charles Martin didn’t want to know. I was in against an unbeaten, top-level fighter in Nathan Cleverly and I still think I beat him to this day. I could have been, and should have been, a world champion after 16 fights.”

Bellew (r) vs. Cleverly II. Photo: Getty Images

Bellew then took aim at the Makabu record (19-1, 18 KOs) and expanded on the fact that over one third of the South African’s wins came against opponents with more defeats than victories, “When you look at guys with big winning records, that is often the case,” said the Englishman. “I have never went out of my way to fight opponents with losing records. Ovill McKenzie had several defeats but he is still as tough as they come and a good fighter.”

This is not only a massive night for Bellew, Makabu, Goodison Park and fight fans; it is a unique and historical boxing event. Stadium showdowns are rare, and rarer still when they take place on a Sunday evening. This surreal Sabbath shootout ultimately came around due to Bellew’s persistence at having the fight take place at Goodison Park.

There were simply no Saturdays available at the Everton soccer fortress and Bellew had dreamed of punch-swapping there since he was teenager.

Question 5. Just how hard will the crowd be on Makabu?

“He’s going to feel it,” hissed Bellew. “I walked into hostile territory against Adonis Stevenson, in front of 10,000 fans, and it wasn’t a great feeling. I had people saying I was going to get murdered and that’s not nice. He can say it’s not going to affect him but it will. I’ve never met anyone more mentally strong than I am and it affected me.

“(Makabu) was shocked when he saw the size of Goodison Park and if it pisses down with rain (on fight night) I don’t think he’s going to feel like he’s at home in South Africa. He’s going to feel as far away from home as you can imagine. This isn’t Monte Carlo in a f**kin’ casino. This is vicious territory and he’ll be right in the middle of 20,000 Scousers.”

And that was all the questions this reporter needed to ask. If he is to fulfill his dreams, Bellew must now ask questions of Makabu in the most important fight of his career.

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

SUBSCRIBE

You can subscribe to the print and digital editions of THE RING Magazine by clicking the banner or here. You can also order the current issue, which is on newsstands, or back issues from our subscribe page.