It will be his third attempt at at a world title – his two losses in a 29-fight career have been in world title challenges at light-heavyweight against Nathan Cleverly in 2011, and Adonis Stevenson in 2013. Making 175lb at light heavyweight had made him unhappy, and Bellew, 6ft 3ins tall, is a much more contented man and fighter, 25 pounds heavier at the cruiserweight limit of 200lbs, having boxed as an amateur at heavyweight, and having weighed 15st as a bristling 15-year-old. At 16, he worked as a doorman in the thick of Liverpool’s very lively night life.
Makabu, beaten just once in his 20-fight career, is a powerful, mainly left-handed southpaw fighter. Bellew will have to be on his A-game, and will go in as the marginal underdog.
“I’m going to have to keep my emotions in check, because it’s going to be a massive night for me at a place where I have invested so much all my life, against a very tough fighter who wants this title as much as I do. But I’m prepared to do anything it takes to win that title.
“The only thing I enjoy as much as fighting is watching Everton Football Club. I actually like fighting in a boxing ring. It’s the one place in the world world where I can feel like I’m completely in control. I’m at home. I love the walk to the ring, the crowd, the landing of a punch. Doing it at Goodison Park is going to be incredible.”
Tony Bellew vs Ilunga Makabu is live on Sky Sports on Sunday May 29.