This week, ex-world champion Tony Bellew sat down with Owen Fulda from Card Participant to speak about how luck and superstitions helped his Boxing profession.
Bellew doesn’t hold his playing cards near his chest. He opens up about how skilled Boxing analysts all through his profession received their predictions fallacious and the way being an underdog motivated the person from Merseyside.
Owen Fulda: I needed to ask you about superstitions. Did you’ve any throughout your profession, or different stuff you did earlier than the match?
Tony Bellew: I’d all the time put the left glove on first as a result of in my tiny little thoughts and ideas I used to be going to hit him with the left hand first. So I’d wrap the left hand fist then put the left glove on first. Left boots on first. All the time left foot first. I simply assume your left hand is crucial hand for an orthodox fighter. The lead hand is all the time crucial. It units up every part on offense and protection. It’s simply big. For me the jab is the best weapon in boxing.
Owen Fulda: Did you ever pay a lot consideration to boxing analysts predicting the result of your fights throughout your profession?
Tony Bellew: No. As a result of they’d often decide in opposition to me. So no, probably not. It’s background noise. You’d hear it within the build-up to huge fights. You’d all the time hear individuals’s opinions. It’s often a member of your group who lets you recognize and can say, ‘Oh, did you hear what this man mentioned? Did you hear what that man mentioned? Did you hear what he predicted?’
Whether or not you select to let that have an effect on you or whether or not you select to let the noise within the room get to you, then that’s as much as you. Every particular person is totally different. For me, I’ve fought my life on proving individuals fallacious, and it was no totally different with this.
Owen Fulda: Did you take pleasure in being the underdog?
Tony Bellew: It simply motivated me. In life, typically, individuals put me down and I’m used to it. And the place I come from, you’re consistently down. So, you recognize, you’ve received to combat in opposition to one thing every single day. So whether or not I used to be combating to show individuals fallacious. Whether or not I used to be combating in opposition to different individuals’s opinions, I’m all the time combating in opposition to one thing. I believe when every part’s going for you, it’s at that stage then the place it’s a must to fear slightly bit. You already know, you want your detractors; you want your haters or no matter you need to name them.
They assist encourage you when you’ve received individuals who don’t such as you, and received individuals who don’t like what you’re doing. Then you recognize, you’re going to seek out, more often than not, you’re doing one thing proper. As a result of individuals don’t like success, that’s only a chilly, onerous truth. Folks don’t like success. I believe your success lets individuals know what they might have been and may have been had they put the work in such as you did. They utilized themselves. Different individuals’s success targets different lesser individuals’s inadequacies.
Whereas, for me, somebody like me, I used to be all the time striving. I didn’t care what anybody else was doing. You already know what, you might be good for you. I’m pleased for you, however I’m doing what I’m doing. And no matter I’m doing, that’s all I’m centered on. That’s all I cared about. I didn’t have time to concentrate on anybody else.
Bellew additionally continued with the second a part of the interview to discuss the way forward for Joe Joyce’s profession. Additionally, explaining why he thinks the British Boxing Board of Management wants a revamp after “harsh” remedy of Chris Eubank Jr.
Owen Fulda: Somebody that had success on the weekend, David Adeleye, however what did you make of the stoppage and the way in which that it materialized?
Tony Bellew: I assumed it was a good combat. I assumed it was effervescent up. I assumed TKV was getting stronger because the rounds went on, however I assumed David Adeleye all the time appeared just like the puncher within the combat. Punching on the break and stuff like that. It’s fallacious. And when the referee says break. He’s supposed to interrupt, however the first rule all of us be taught in skilled boxing is kind of easy. Defend your self always. Always. Till there’s a referee in between you, that’s the one time, and even then I’d bear in mind. Your eyes ought to by no means go away your opponent.
There have been a few incidents on the weekend. There was the one the place he knocks the hand away and the boys open to a shot then. That’s been occurring for many years in boxing. Referees unencumber fighters’ fingers at sure occasions. So, this punching on the break is nothing new. We’re going over outdated floor, however I believe for David Adeleye, I believe it’s form of a lesson discovered. As a result of I believe he’ll have felt the identical was accomplished to him by Fabio Wardley a few years again.
I’m not saying anybody’s proper or fallacious; it’s simply, it’s fairly easy. Simply pay attention and cling to the foundations. Defend your self always. And also you gained’t go far fallacious. So TKV, with out sounding too harsh, has in all probability solely received himself guilty. He’s fighter, you recognize, he’s a giant robust boy. However slightly bit naive and slightly bit inexperienced.
Owen Fulda: It’s gone full circle now. David Adeleye’s received Fabio Wardley’s British Heavyweight Championship, which Fabio Wardley vacated.
Tony Bellew: He has, however I simply assume the water’s began to deepen now. I believe we’ve seen that within the Fabio Wardley combat. I’m undecided what David Adeleye’s degree is, I believe we’ll discover out once we understand how far Fab Wardley goes, and Wardley has his work lower out for him in his subsequent combat, to be completely trustworthy. It means Jarrell Miller. That’s a tough evening’s work for him as a result of Jarrell Miller is massively sturdy. He’s identical to a giant mattress with arms. He simply absorbs completely every part. And he can provide it again. We’ve seen that combat with Andy Ruiz then going to a draw. It’s one he may have gotten. Some individuals like a Jarrell Miller win and a few individuals had Ruiz win, however both manner it’s a very shut contest. And Andy Ruiz’s a high class fighter.
Owen Fulda: Jarrell Miller is a three-time drug cheat. How is that this a actuality in boxing in 2025 that he’s getting this shot at Wardley?
Tony Bellew: I’m not condoning any drug cheats as a result of anybody dishonest for performance-enhancing medication ought to be banned for all times. I’ve mentioned this, and I’ll stand by it. Folks failing as a result of over-the-counter drugs – I consider they need to have a slap on the wrist and be advised and advised about how necessary vitamin is in boxing. However when Jarrell Miller failed that drug take a look at forward of combating Anthony Joshua, he was one molecule away from being the Unimaginable Hulk. He had each single agent in his physique, attainable, each steroid attainable from EPO to testosterone. I’m shocked he didn’t explode.
It’s absolute insanity. Till somebody is banned for all times, it’s not going to cease. As a result of these fighters will take the danger of getting a two-year slap on the wrist, and so they’ll hold doing it. Somebody’s received to set a precedent. I believe that the degrees of issues within the new system ought to be taken under consideration as a result of meals are altering. All types of various issues are given to boost meals. However when somebody’s on steroids, it’s clear as evening and day.
I really feel for Fab. I actually do. Fabio, for my part, shouldn’t should undergo Jarrell Miller. This is likely one of the world title eliminations he’s combating for. How Jarrell Miller received two world title eliminators, I’ll by no means know. As a result of he’s simply been popped that many occasions. It’s simply one in every of these items. However like I mentioned earlier than, I’ll say it once more. We’re not gonna be taught till anyone is banned for all times.
Owen Fulda: Joe Joyce misplaced to Filip Hrgovic on the weekend. He mentioned he gained’t retire. Frank Warren says he ought to retire. The place do you stand?
Tony Bellew: I noticed a video that was on social media. I believe it lasted for about 4 to 5 minutes. Joe was talking on digicam and never making any sense in any respect. It was heartbreaking to look at. Joe Joyce is an clever man. Yeah, he’s not smooth. He’s not silly. He’s taken pointless punishments now. I referred to as for this after the Derek Chisora combat. Individuals are leaping on this bandwagon now. I imply, I did inform anybody and everybody who’d pay attention as quickly as he was accomplished by Zhang within the first one. I advised anybody who’d pay attention. His biggest asset was his sturdiness and his capability, and his capability to soak up severe quantities of punishment and never be budged.
That was his asset. And I advised anybody, pay attention, when that goes, he’s a hazard in boxing. It’s not simply downhill; it’s life-changing. And I believe his life is already altering now from a bodily perspective and from the surface wanting in. He’s not the identical particular person he was when he beat Daniel Dubois. When he beat Daniel Dubois and the way he beat him in, he simply absorbed every part. And everybody forgets this: he did the very same to Joseph Parker. He absorbs every part that may be thrown and he simply outmans you. It’s heartbreaking if you’re a fighter and also you’ve hit him with every part you’ve received, and he simply retains coming.
He doesn’t even have to be a giant puncher. He simply breaks your coronary heart, and also you’ve simply had sufficient, and he’s accomplished each of it. Accomplished it to Daniel Dubois and he’s accomplished it to Joseph Parker. However as I mentioned earlier than, as soon as that sturdiness goes. And that’s his nice asset. And it’s gone. And Zang simply popped it in the future. It was all the time gonna go. I wasn’t certain at what level, I imply, don’t get me fallacious, you do get freaks within the sport. Like Oliver McCall, I used to be ready for his to go in the future and by no means did. By no means did. You already know, probably the most sturdy heavyweight ever, for my part.
However Joe Joyce’s did. And I simply hope good individuals are round to say, “Joe, sufficient’s sufficient.” You already know I’d prefer to consider he’s earned just a few quid and he’s accomplished. Let me inform you, he’s earned each single penny of it. Simply stroll away into the sundown and revel in what you’ve accomplished.
Owen Fulda: On Joseph Parker and Martin Bakole
Tony Bellew: Each time he’s thrown to the wolves, he comes again main the pack and he’s accomplished completely unbelievable. After which the newest travesty was Daniel Dubois pulling out. And if he’s sick, he’s received to drag out. I don’t query Daniel Dubois in any respect. However he didn’t should tackle one other bogeyman in Martin Bakole. Nobody needed to go close to him! We’ve heard about him. He’s the best sparring skilled on the planet and he’s completely smashed the life out of each single particular person strolling on the planet in sparring. I believe we quickly realized, and he quickly noticed that every part’s totally different with 10-ounce gloves on and no head guards on.
However I believe Martin Bakole will likely be again. I do assume he’ll nonetheless characteristic in and amongst the riggs, however the blueprint is there now on find out how to do him. We would see Martin in higher form subsequent time. Yeah, that wasn’t nice. I perceive why he’s accomplished it. It’s a last-minute name. He’s a heavyweight, he doesn’t should make weight. However when you genuinely consider you’re gonna win, go for it. However you possibly can’t genuinely consider you’re gonna beat a person who’s in combat form. He’s been within the camp for 12 weeks and then you definately’re gonna flip up on three or 4 days discover at what, 300lbs+? It’s not look mate.
Owen Fulda: UFC President Dana White is launching the brand new Boxing League. Have you ever heard about it? There are fewer weight divisions. It’s a form of shaking up boxing. What’s your tackle it?
Tony Bellew: I believe he’s making an attempt to make use of a format much like the UFC. It’s important to perceive what Dana’s achieved with the UFC is nothing wanting exceptional. I’m a combined martial arts fan. I’ve been watching and learning combined martial arts for the reason that days of Mark Kerr and Mark Coleman. There’s a documentary on the market for many who’ve by no means seen it referred to as the Smashing Machine. That can inform you every part it’s good to know concerning the making of the martial arts within the UFC when it began build up. I additionally was watching it and loving it when the Final Fighter received placed on. And folks miss what really made and saved the UFC. It was Stephan Bonnar and Forrest Griffin. It’s the best combat in UFC historical past that I’ve ever seen. These fellas completely smashed the life out of one another, and so they did it on Spike TV. And it simply blew up from there. In a single day, it exploded. This combat modified combined martial arts within the UFC, for my part, anyway. I believe Dana’s come out and mentioned it as nicely. Stephan Bonnar vs Forrest Griffin was simply unbelievable. It actually was chaos.
Combined martial arts is the purest type of combating. There’s no two methods about it, however one man’s been in a position to management the narrative the entire manner by. And if one man can management the narrative and management the place it’s going, then it’s rather a lot simpler to regulate. Boxing has been going for the reason that begin of man. And one man won’t ever utterly management all of boxing, it’s true. I’m sorry to inform you the reality, it’s unimaginable.
There’s too many managers. There’s too many promoters. There’s too many agendas. And sure, you possibly can align a few of them and cash will assist with that. However you might be by no means going to have one particular person. And you’ll’t take away with belts both. And whoever is suggesting that’s fallacious for doing it. Don’t destroy the historical past and the heritage of my fantastic, superb sports activities. The WBC, the IBF, WBA, and the WBO have created one thing that children look as much as and need to be. That’s what they aspire to be. And that’s crucial factor.
Owen Fulda: Did you all the time have your eyes on WBC?
Tony Bellew: Yeah, that was my belt. There’s a person from my metropolis that held it. The superb John Conteh and Paul Hodkinson as nicely. And there’s so many nice fighters which have come out of my metropolis. However John Conteh, for my part, is by far the best fighter that ever got here out of my metropolis or my space. You can say, with him being from Kirkby and I needed to emulate him. Then the greats like Mike Tyson, Sugar Ray Leonard and Evander Holyfield have all held the WBC titles.
It was a dream come true to win it myself at Goodison Park. I can’t put it into phrases and anybody who is aware of, lived and seen by their lifelong dream and objective. I’ve accomplished it. I’ve been in, accomplished it. I’ve accomplished that and seen it so all I’ve needed is for different children on the market to encourage and go and do it. If I can do it, you are able to do it. And when you’re making an attempt to remove them belts, it’s only a shame. Boxing and the UFC are two utterly totally different sports activities and so they can’t be run the identical. Neither of them is fallacious. However they’re simply two utterly various things. I recognize what Dana’s doing and I’m certain it’ll collect momentum and it’ll achieve numbers, however I simply don’t assume boxing will be run by one man.
Owen Fulda: Can we get a fast prediction of you for the Gervonta Davis vs Lamont Roach rematch, if one involves fruition?
Tony Bellew: Tank does him. Tank figures it out. Tank’s probably the greatest considering fighters on the planet. He’s distinctive. He’s actually good. However I believe the factor with Tank is, he’s in his personal head. And he lets the surface noise have an effect on him. Whereas that boy simply must concentrate on boxing, take himself away from the shit and simply concentrate on combating. As a result of he’s such a gifted particular person. Proficient fighter. So he must hold that head down. Concentrate on his job. We’ve heard speak about him probably retiring, which might be an excellent disgrace to boxing. Hopefully it doesn’t occur. Horrible. However Lamont Roach should nonetheless be fuming about what occurred. He’s an excellent fighter. And I believe he ought to really feel onerous accomplished by and aggrieved, however pay attention while you get a draw on a house present and also you’re the away fighter, it form of tells you the place it’s at.
Owen Fulda: Fast one about Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jr. If we take their fathers out of the equation, is the combat nonetheless nonetheless a blockbuster promote out stadium combat and the way a lot does that play an element within the narrative?
Tony Bellew: Nicely, it’s a must to perceive that when it first will get made, with the buildup and the hype that they’ve each had. Take out their fathers, they’re constructing the hype. They’ve each had a variety of buildup and so they’ve created their very own headlines and so they’ve accomplished controversial issues themselves. However the rematch is a distinct degree. It’s captured the general public’s creativeness.You’ve received grandmothers speaking about it, girls in bingo additionally speaking about it, particularly after the egg slap, then that makes the information and the likes of Piers Morgan speaking about on his present, each day. It’s astronomical. I imply, this stadium holds 75,000 individuals. There’s 135,000 individuals on a ready listing for tickets, it’s astronomical. I didn’t understand how huge it was till I used to be on my manner residence watching the primary presser, and I assumed to myself “That is huge.” After which after that presser, I assumed “That is ginormous. That is simply ridiculous.” It’s been blown out of proportion, however I believe that’s factor. I believe it’s nice for British boxing. It’s nice for the rivalry, it’s nice for the promoters concerned. It leaves British boxing in a very wholesome place.
Owen Fulda: What concerning the £100,000 tremendous for Chris Eubank for the egg slap. Is {that a} bit harsh?
Tony Bellew: I believe we have to see the place that’s going? I’ve heard concerning the cash going to ex-fighters’ funds. Nicely, I’m one in every of hundreds upon hundreds of ex-fighters. I’ve by no means had a single peep from the board since I retired. The one factor I’ve had them name me for is to ask if I’m gonna renew my supervisor’s license. Asking if I will pay them. I’m not a giant fan of them. The board doesn’t do sufficient for former fighters; they actually don’t. And there’s many extra like me. I do know Paul Smith spoke out about it, asking the place all the cash goes. There ought to be extra former fighters on the board. The board is ageing quickly and it wants just a few youthful, brisker faces in there. That’s not me asking as a result of I couldn’t consider something worse than being on the board. My time is taken up sufficient as it’s. Get some youthful faces on that board. Get some former fighters on that board who perceive and know what it’s like on this modern-day being a fighter. It’s drained and it’s washed and it’s missing.
