David Haye has told fans to put their money on B.J. Flores to rip Tony Bellew’s WBC World Cruiserweight title from him when they meet at the Echo Arena in Liverpool tomorrow night, live on Sky Sports.
Bellew defends his crown for the first time since his stunning KO win over Ilunga Makabu at Goodison Park in May, and for brash American Flores, it could be his last shot at World glory having been edged out on points for the interim WBA crown by Beibut Shumenov last July.
The Liverpool star has called for a showdown with Haye, who became the unified Cruiserweight World champion in November 2007 and added Heavyweight glory to his CV two years later.
The ‘Hayemaker’ says he’s open to talks if Bellew can beat his pal – but the London star thinks the ‘Bomber’ has underestimated the American and his reign as World champion will come to an end at the first hurdle.
“I don’t think Tony is going to win the fight,” said Haye. “B.J. is a big Cruiserweight. Look at them next to each other, there’s not a lot in it at first sight but Tony is tall and skinny whereas B.J. is wide and thick set and can punch.
“B.J. is very underrated, he hasn’t perhaps performed to the best of his ability in his big fights but he’s been boxing since his was six, has great amateur pedigree boxing all over the world and I think Tony has underestimated him.
“Tony thinks it’s an easy touch and B.J. is a huge underdog with the bookies, I think he’s worth backing to cause the upset. Tony is a good fighter and he was good against Makabu, he was an underdog himself, he got decked in the first and spun it round and did the job so you have to give him credit for that – but is he a real Cruiserweight? I don’t know. He looked it in the Makabu fight, he’s the WBC champion and he did it in good style, but I think it’s a tough first defence and I think it’s a good fight.
“If Tony somehow manages to beat B.J – which he won’t do – we can talk. Tony makes plenty of noise so we’ll see, but he’s got his hands full with B.J.”
Fans that want to take Haye’s advice and back the challenger to take the title can get odds of 7/1 for Flores to win with show sponsors 32Red.com. The visitor is 11/1 to win inside the distance and 20/1 to take the crown on points.
Hometown star Bellew is 1/2 to repeat his epic KO win that landed him the belt at the home of his beloved Everton F.C, and 2/1 to hold onto his belt on points.
Bellew’s clash with Flores is part of a huge night of action in Liverpool Olympic gold medal star Luke Campbell MBE defends his WBC Silver Lightweight title against Derry Mathews.
Belfast star Ryan Burnett defending his British Bantamweight title against Liverpool’s Ryan Farrag, Sean Masher Dodd defends his WBC International Lightweight title against Francesco Patera, Tom Farrell faces Farid Hakimi for the WBA International Super-Lightweight title and Liverpool favourite Rocky Fielding is set for action.
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Tony Bellew has vowed to shut BJ Flores up in style when they clash for Bellew’s WBC World Cruiserweight title at the Echo Arena in Liverpool on Saturday night, live on Sky Sports.
Bellew landed the WBC crown in a fairy tale night at Goodison Park when he got off the canvas in the first round to destroy dangerous South African Ilunga Makabu in the third round.
‘The Bomber’s’ first defence brings brash American Flores to Merseyside with Bellew believing the challenger has changed his tune – swapping the trash talk that saw him land the fight with respect – and Bellew says that doesn’t wash with him and is preparing a punishing night.
“The fight was made because of his mouth,” said Bellew. “He’s been following me around for two years, saying I’m not a Cruiserweight I’m a Light-Heavyweight, saying I couldn’t live with him – on Saturday night I am going to show him what I can do.
“When I say something, I mean it. Everything he’s said he’s meant it and he’s going to pay for it on Saturday night. He’s had two World title fights, or fringe World title fights, whereas I’ve done it the hard way. I’ve earnt every single thing that I’ve got. I’ve boxed in final eliminators against top fighters, and it’s going to show on Saturday night.
“He says he respects me, but I know he doesn’t. His playboy mates think I am an easy touch, but when he gets in the ring and I hit him with ten ounce gloves on, he’s going to feel it. He’s going to look across the ring at me and think, he looks a bit chunky, a bit flabby, but trust me, when I hit him for the first time he’ll think: what was that? The same thing Makabu thought. It’s a tall skinny fat lad from Liverpool with dynamite in both hands and you are going to feel it on Saturday night.
“It’s not trash talk; it’s brutal truth. On Saturday night I’m going to put it to bed.”
Bellew’s clash with Flores is part of a huge night of action in Liverpool Olympic gold medal star Luke Campbell MBE defends his WBC Silver Lightweight title against Derry Mathews.
Belfast star Ryan Burnett defending his British Bantamweight title against Liverpool’s Ryan Farrag, Sean Masher Dodd defends his WBC International Lightweight title against Francesco Patera, Tom Farrell faces Farid Hakimi for the WBA International Super-Lightweight title and Liverpool favourite Rocky Fielding is set for action.
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Tony Bellew will make his first defence of his WBC World Cruiserweight title against B.J Flores at the Echo Arena in Liverpool on Saturday October 15, live on Sky Sports.
Bellew landed the title with a fairy tale KO win over Ilunga Makabu at the Goodison Park home of his beloved Everton FC in May and will pack out the Echo Arena in his first fight as a World champion.
Colourful Californian Flores is gunning for the title in his second World bout having taken Beibut Shumenov the distance for the interim WBA strap last July, and ‘El Peligroso’ will look to go one better against the ‘Bomber’ in what promises to be a spicy build-up between the two outspoken big hitters.
Promoter Eddie Hearn revealed the first fight on a packed undercard in support of Bellew’s World title clash, with popular Birkenhead man Sean ‘Masher’ Dodd defending his WBC International Lightweight title against Dewsbury’s Gary Sykes, with Liverpool favourites David Price and Rocky Fielding set to feature with more fights to be announced soon.
“I am going to smash BJ Flores to bits and be the first man stop him,” said Bellew. “All he keeps saying is that I am a Light-Heavyweight, I am this, I am that, so we will soon find out.
“He’s been mouthing off and following me around for a couple of years and I’m just a little bit fed up with him now. That’s the best way to look at it.
“I believe he will be training with Shane McGuigan and the David Haye camp, and the one thing about fighting Flores is we could well have fireworks before the fight even begins.
“He needs to tone it down and realise that I am giving him this opportunity and he is giving me nothing. He can do what he does and say what he wants, we’ll see. Come fight night he is going to be in for a rude awakening.”
“I am looking forward to this massive opportunity to become WBC champion of the world,” said Flores. “I will completely dedicate the next 63 days of my life to making sure I am 100 per cent ready on fight night. Tony is a good fighter and has earned his title. Many UK fans are not familiar with my style and will be in for a real treat on October 15.
“I greatly respect the sport of boxing and I take this very seriously. I have been rated in the top 15 in the world since July of 2007. All of that means nothing unless I am able to finish with a world championship belt around my waist. I am not coming to be part of an event. There will not be one corner cut or one day without maximum effort.
“I am coming to win and after multiple camps and preparations I finally understand exactly what I need to do to win in October 15.”
“May 29 at Goodison Park was a night that will go down in British boxing history but the job is not done,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “Tony has done the city proud and I’m delighted to bring World championship boxing back to Liverpool, we are planning a huge card for October 15. There is no love lost between Tony and Flores and fans can expect fireworks in and out of the ring.”
Tickets will go on general sale at midday on Wednesday August 17 via www.echoarena.com or by calling 0844 8000 400 priced at £40, £60, £80, £100 and £150. VIP tickets will be available exclusively from www.matchroomboxing.com
