Joshua vs Whyte: Tony Bellew admits his career is at a crossroads
Wednesday 9 December 2015 15:01, UK
Tony Bellew admits his career is on the line when he takes on Mateusz Masternak.
The Liverpool cruiserweight fights the experienced Pole with the vacant European title up for grabs at the O2, London, next Saturday, live on Sky Sports Box Office.
Bellew has spent most of the year over in America, acting on the new Rocky film Creed which is out in January, but like Masternak (36-3-KO23) wants to get himself back on the verge of another world title challenge.
And while he is glad to be back on a big night of boxing, 'Bomber' knows a defeat will end his dream of becoming a world champion - at the third attempt.
"I think we are both fighting for our careers," he told Sky Sports.
"I am at a crossroads and we both need to know who's got what it takes to get that world title shot. And of course, I believe that's me.
"Mastanek has got a very similar record to me; he's beaten anyone who is just below world-class level, he's got an unjust loss on his record in South Africa - Johnny Muller - one genuine loss on there, like mine.
"But we are fighting on neutral territory down in London and it is a really good fight. I think it is going to be the fight of the night."
"He's been in with one of the better world champions, Grigory Drozd, and was beaten in the 11th and that was a genuine loss, like mine against Adonis Stephenson."
At some stage we are just going to stand there and trade - and as soon as we do that, you know it is going to be an exciting fight. I am anticipating a war. And it is a real 50-50 fight
Bellew has only boxed twice since gaining revenge over bitter rival Nathan Cleverly in Liverpool over a year ago, beating Arturs Kulikauskis and Ivica Bacurin, while his was working on Creed.
And while he admits he wouldn't have a problem facing former unified cruiserweight champion David Haye in a catchweight fight next year, the 33-year-old is looking to make another big statement to climb back into the world title mix.
"I am not running from Masternak, he's not going to run from me and I just envisage it being a really tough fight," he said.
"At some stage we are just going to stand there and trade - and as soon as we do that, you know it is going to be an exciting fight.
"I am anticipating a war. And it is a real 50-50 fight. It is going to be tough but I am hoping to get to him in the middle to late rounds.
"I haven't really moved on from that big fight last year, that's how it feels. But now I've got Masternak and if I win that, well everyone knows I can hype anything, so we will see what it brings."
Watch Bellew vs Masternak on Joshua vs Whyte, exclusively live on Sky Sports Box Office, December 12, now available to order via phone or online
