In extraordinary scenes at Everton's Goodison park Liverpool, Tony Bellew became the new WBC world cruiserweight champion with a 3rd round knockout of Junior Ilunga Makubu.. Bellew (27/2/1) was attempting his third shot at a world title having lost in previous attempts to Nathan Cleverly and Adonis Stevenson at light heavyweight, Bellew started boxing patiently behind the Jab, looking for openings, knowing mistakes against the #1 ranked Makubu (19/1) 18 knockouts could prove costly, Makubu himself a slow starter showed very little until a reaction counter punch dropped Bellew with seconds left in the opener, It was a stark reminder to the Liverpool fighter of the power Makubu carried.. Bellew boxed a cautious second stanza with neither fighter prepared to commit with such high stakes.. Midway into the third Bellew took the initiative to force the fight, hurting Makubu with a right hand, the African fighter physically shaken backed into the ropes, Bellew cautiously poked shots at Makubu's high guard, sensing opportunity with his opponents back on the ropes, the hometown man drilled home accurate head shots as Makubu began to unravel, the final two, a right hand, left hook collapsed Ilunga Makubu to the canvas with Victor Loughlan waving it off.. the former Rocky star probably never dreamed of a more fitting night to grab a championship, climbing off the floor in his own backyard to fulfil a childhood dream... An gracious Makubu looked hugely dissapointed but was first to congratulate Bellew on the victory, his failure to capitalise on his early success cost him the title.. Bellew joins the other 13 British fighters that currently lay claim to versions of world championships.
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