Everton get Goodison boxing licence, with Tony Bellew fight subject of talks
Friday 15 April 2016 20:04, UK
Tony Bellew's dream looks to be closer after Everton Football Club were granted a licence to host a boxing event on May 29, according to promoter Eddie Hearn.
The Goodison Park event is believed to be Bellew's world title challenge against Ilunga Makubu, for the vacant WBC cruiserweight strap.
Life-long Evertonian Bellew and his promoter have been in discussions with the club but although the deal is not yet finalised, Hearn says the Premier League side do now have permission to host the event.
We are nearly there and hopefully next week we can give the city some huge news.
"We've been ticking boxes the last few weeks and clearance from the council was obviously a big hurdle to overcome," said Hearn.
"We are nearly there and hopefully next week, we can give the city some huge news."
Bellew has always dreamed of fighting at the football ground, as well as becoming a world champion, and has recently had the support of Everton manager Roberto Martinez.
Goodison Park has already hosted Bellew's acting debut, filming the crowd for 'Creed', the latest Rocky movie that saw the 33-year-old play 'Pretty' Ricky Conlan.
Bellew will be hoping to make it third time lucky and be crowned a world champion after defeats to bitter rival Nathan Cleverly (2011) and Adonis Stevenson (2013) at light-heavyweight.
He is back at his favoured weight but admits the South Africa-based Makubu (19-1-KO18) could well be the toughest cruiserweight challenge.
The hard-hitting southpaw was supposed to challenge Grigory Drozd for the WBC title, but the champion picked up an injury, forcing him to vacate the belt.
