Thursday 7 January 2016 19:10, UK
Tony Bellew has vacated his European cruiserweight belt to pursue a third shot at a world title.
Bellew outpointed tough Pole Mateusz Masternak on last month's Anthony Joshua-Dillian Whyte Sky Sports Box Office bill to claim the most prestigious strap of his nine-and-a-half-year professional career.
But just hours after parading the belt at Goodison Park, home of his beloved Everton, the Liverpudlian told World Boxing News he will not even defend the title once.
"I vacated the European title as a world title is next," said Bellew, who was due to take on Ukrainian Dmytro Kucher in a mandatory defence.
"I don't believe in vacating titles, but under these circumstances I had no choice. The world title is next and there is no time for a defence of the European title.
"I also believe Masternak is better than Kucher, so it would be a step backwards in all honesty.
"I just want to become world champion. I've won the British, Commonwealth and now European so there is just one left to get and that is my focus now."
Bellew must now get past one of the four recognised cruiserweight champions - Denis Lebedev, Grigory Drozd, Krzysztof Glowacki and Victor Ramirez - to fulfil his dream.
Bomber's two previous world title shots - both at light-heavyweight - ended in defeats to Nathan Cleverly and Adonis Stevenson.
