Fan favorite Tony Bellew hung up his gloves in 2018, but has left a significant legacy on British boxing.
Bellew was defeated by Oleksandr Usyk in the final bout of his journey, which was just the third loss of his professional career. However, Bellew notched up 30 wins over the course of his 11-year run.
Despite Bellew falling short in two world title opportunities in 2011 and 2013, he would be able to bounce back for another crowning chance.
In 2016, Bellew was given the chance to fight for the WBC World Cruiserweight title to right his previous disappointments.
Tony Bellew defeated Ilunga Makabu despite being knocked down in opening round
After Bellew lost to Adonis Stevenson in 2013, he would get a third world title fight in 2016.
With a professional record of 26-2-1, Bellew would get the chance to compete for the vacant WBC World Cruiserweight title in May 2016. Fighting in Everton F.C.’s Goodison Park Stadium, Bellew faced knockout artist Ilunga Makabu.
The fighter from the Democratic Republic of the Congo had a professional record of 19-1, and went into the bout off five straight knockouts.
In the opening stages of the fight, it appeared as if Makabu would make it six in a row. As Bellew was piling the pressure on his opponent, a sharp left hand would catch the Englishman, putting him down.
The knockdown came at the very end of the round, with Bellew recovering to continue.
The third round would see Bellew score a knockdown of his own. A sharp left hook would find the chin of Makabu, who was seemingly put out on his feet. Eventually falling backwards, the referee waved off the bout in Liverpool.
The win would make Bellew a world champion for the first time in his career.
Tony Bellew would only defend his world title on one occasion
Despite having such an impressive performance to become a world champion, Bellew would only defend his title on one occasion.
Five months after defeating Makabu, Bellew would take on BJ Flores in Liverpool. However, Flores (32-2-1) would not be able to dethrone the Englishman.
Once again winning via third round stoppage, Bellew had put the challenger down four times in the bout.
In 2017, Bellew vacated his title. As Bellew began his rivalry with David Haye, he left the cruiserweight division to compete at heavyweight.