Sunday 29 May 2016 22:00, UK
Will Tony Bellew finally get his hands on a world title at his beloved Goodison Park? Or will Ilunga Makabu wreck the fairytale? The Panel decide...
Popular Bellew (26-2-1-KO16) meets unknown quantity Makabu (19-1-KO18) for the vacant WBC world cruiserweight title in front of what is bound to be a boisterous Liverpool crowd.
Interestingly, Makabu is the favourite with the bookies to deny Bellew a world title for a third time.
But what do our Panel of experts think will happen when the first bell goes? We've got current world champions, sparring partners and world-class trainers to ask, so let's find out...
I get on with Tony now. We had our differences in the past but it's all been a bit of banter, hasn't it? I am happy for him and if anybody deserves a title shot it's him. I'm over the moon for him. He's finally got the fight he wanted, where he wanted it and he deserves it.
I've seen that Ilunga Makabu and he's pretty good though. I would love to be there, but I don't think I can make it.
Fair play to Bellew. He does do it the hard way having been in with Adonis Stevenson and now moving up a division to go in with this fella. All credit it to him and we are going to see whether this Rocky story can come true. It's a fascinating fight with the crowd and everyone else.
Makabu is a good world champion and a southpaw. My heart wants Bellew but I think my head says Makabu. If he's a world champion that's used to travelling then Makabu can handle the crowd at Goodison Park and win on points. Having said that, we saw the crowd help suffocate Ismael Barroso against Anthony Crolla.
I think Tony Bellew has got a really tough night on his hands here, because Ilunga Makabu is a very good fighter who can clearly really punch. Having said that, I think Bellew can still have his big moment this Sunday where everything comes together.
I see Bellew putting on a big performance in front of his home crowd, who'll be right behind him. In my view, it's Bellew to win on points.
Bellew is going to put everything on the line fighting in front of his boyhood club. He'll have a lot of support there and although they're not in the ring with him, I know from my own experiences that it helps you when you're in there.
Bellew has failed before but I see him giving absolutely everything in there and I think Bellew will complete the dream on points. They're both big-hitters so there may be a couple of knock-downs in there.
I watched Makabu quite a few times and he's susceptible to left hooks. Bellew needs to fight like the bigger man because Makabu is short and squat. He reminds me a bit of a young James Toney so Bellew has to fire sharp with the jab. The left hook is the key punch because when Makabu throws his left hand, he drops both his hands and that leaves him open to the left hook.
Bellew could win it in an ugly way. I'm a Bellew fan and I think he'll win on points. I think Bellew could cause a knock down but if he's not on point himself then he could get knocked down because the guy is a very good counter-puncher.
When I fought at Upton Park, I was all over the place but Tony is in a mature frame of mind. He'll have wanted to work hard and Dave Coldwell will have worked him hard.
I'm not too sure which way it's going to go but there's definitely going to be a knockout for either Bellew or Makabu!
When you fight in front of those big crowds and there are boxing fans among football fans, it just goes off. I remember watching it back and the presenter saying that it felt like being in Las Vegas. It did give me such an electric feeling.
As the man Tony Bellew is now, I expect him to rise to the occasion. I think Bellew wins.
I've only seen clips of Makabu but he looks very capable. I might be way out but I saw a little of James Toney in him in the way he slips and rolls. Bellew is taking him very seriously and Makabu looks a good fighter but I just believe sometimes things are mean to be. It's Bellew's night to become champion at his beloved Goodison Park.
If Bellew stays disciplined and boxes smart then he can get that green belt. He's a huge puncher and capable of taking any cruiserweight out but Makabu is built to take a shot so I'll go with Bellew on points.
Bellew has to just throw absolutely everything he's ever had inside him out there on the night. I don't think he'll finish Makabu but I wouldn't discount his power altogether because Makabu comes in unprotected sometimes and if he walks on to a Bellew shot, he could be in for a shock.
If Makabu leaves himself open late on in the fight then Bellew could be able to get a stoppage there but I'm going for a Bellew points win through good, good boxing.
Tony Bellew loves the Liverpool fans and is a big star there and I think he'll revel in it. He and David Coldwell has worked very hard and if anyone deserves his shot, it's Tony Bellew. I've got a lot of time for him and his people. He's come down and sparred with us and him and Dave are nice people. We wish them all the best.
Bellew isn't getting a world title dished to him on a plate because this guy he's fighting is very dangerous and can fight. It's going to be tough but with the right footwork, he doesn't need to get involved. I'm sure he'll have the right strategy and Bellew can win on points but he's in with a guy with a massive punch so he'll have to play it safe. It's all about the win - not about how you do it.
It's always been a dream of Tony Bellew's to box at Goodison Park and it's also his last opportunity because if he loses here, he's really got nowhere else to go on the world stage. Makabu doesn't mind travelling so it won't bother him one bit but I think that home advantage will be key for Bellew because anywhere else and he could be in trouble.
We've seen Makabu box before and he's a serious fighter. He throws a wicked uppercut out of the southpaw stance so Bellew can't afford mistakes. I think Bellew will box well to a game plan and will win a tough, tight decision. I think he'll have to come through some sticky moments.
Watch Bellew v Makabu and a packed undercard from Liverpool this Sunday, live on Sky Sports 1 from 6.30pm.
