Season › 2015-16 › News Bellew realises his Goodison dream with WBC belt , , 89comments | Jump to most recent Tony Bellew's world title dream came true at his beloved Goodison Park tonight as he knocked out South African Ilunga Makabu in the third round for the world cruiserweight belt. Between 15,000 and 20,000 were expected to watch the bout in a specially constructed ring in the centre of Everton's home pitch and they roared the diehard Blue on to victory after he was knocked down in the first round. Former Blues Sylvain Distin and David Moyes were two of the recognisable faces in attendance, with the ex-manager pictured sharing an executive box with chairman Bill Knwright earlier in the evening. Bellew embraced Kenwright at the end of the fight on an emotional night under the lights at Goodison and he admitted that he would have pulled out of the fight through injury had not been taking place at the place he calls home. He described how he dislodged a rib at a training camp last month and had to spend hours in a hyperbaric chamber to help him recover in time. Before the bout, Bellew was in confident mood and dying to make his bid for a WBC title at Goodison. "I'm a Scouser and a mad Evertonian. I don't care how good he is, I don't care how hard he hits, I'm going to become WBC cruiserweight champion in front of thousands of Scousers at Goodison Park and nothing will stop me," Bellew he said. "Creed has done something nuts to me. It's created a whirlwind and this is where it's taken me — it's unbelievable. "Thanks to Everton, Bill Kenwright and everyone who has believed in me and backed me from day one. The dream becomes a reality on May 29." Reader Comments (89) Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer Martin Nicholls 1 Posted 29/05/2016 at 10:46:17 Good luck Tony - we're all rooting for you. Imagine Slippy G's head on Makabu's shoulders and you won't go wrong! Come on you Blue!! Richard Reeves 2 Posted 29/05/2016 at 16:19:17 Good luck,hope the crowd help you to knock him of his A game and overwhelm him.COYB! Gary Willock 3 Posted 29/05/2016 at 16:34:29 Go'ed lad!! Knock him out Tony, whole city is behind you! Paul Andrews 4 Posted 29/05/2016 at 17:40:53 All the best to a big Evertonian tonight. A massive test for him against a knock-out merchant. I will be on my way there in a couple of hours. Let's hope we are celebrating into the night. Tony Draper 5 Posted 29/05/2016 at 17:46:40 William Ralph is in your corner, Tony! Colin Glassar 6 Posted 29/05/2016 at 17:49:43 10pm? The coverage starts at six!! What are they going to do in the meantime? Is BK going to re-enact his best Corrie moments? Will Bobby Elstone give the crowd a detailed explanation about why all our proposed stadium moves have fallen through? Or, will he tell us where the Arteta money went?This will be the first fight I've watched live since the '90s as boxing went down the drain with clowns like Douglas, Haye, Klitschko etc...... Good luck Tony and do us proud. Mike Hughes 7 Posted 29/05/2016 at 17:55:14 Good luck to Tony Bellew tonight.Tough fight but Fortress Goodison can inspire you. Kunal Desai 8 Posted 29/05/2016 at 18:24:48 Good luck Tony Bellew. Hope you come out a winner fighting at your sanctorium home in front of many beloved blues. Dave Abrahams 9 Posted 29/05/2016 at 19:31:06 It's strange that Makabu is favourite for this fight. Although he is a knock out merchant there are no well known names on his record and Tony is on his own patch. I hope he can pull it off and earn a few more lucrative fights.Colin, I hope you enjoy the night, there are a few good fighters on the bill. Andrew Presly 10 Posted 29/05/2016 at 20:05:42 There's local talent in the form of Smith and heavyweight David Price on the undercard, the latter forbidden from entering the ring to YNWA by Bellew, but this will be a test for the Bomber. Needs the crowd in full voice as Tony wasn't exactly looking in optimum shape at the weigh-in and this guy can hit hard. Big night ahead. Sue Brown 11 Posted 29/05/2016 at 20:59:29 I see Big Dunc has his ring side seat tonight Ernie Baywood 12 Posted 29/05/2016 at 21:33:53 Anyone know roughly how much longer until the Bellew fight? Trying to factor it into my work morning here in Aus. Tony Draper 13 Posted 29/05/2016 at 21:46:39 Not long now Ernie mate.Superb build up section on SS1!Fuckin Hell!Big Dunc now.... lolRoasting Hot Atmosphere!Do him, Tony! Colin Metcalfe 14 Posted 29/05/2016 at 21:47:08 Some posters on another thread stating that the Goodison hierarchy will announce the new manager...? Sorry I just can't see it being announced tonight, I don't think they have made their choice as yet and also in my opinion it would be in pretty poor taste to do it tonight on the biggest night of Tony Bellew's career, it's his night tonight! Good Luck, son! Mike Hughes 15 Posted 29/05/2016 at 22:13:15 Bellew down in the first ...... but survives.Come on Tony. Tony Draper 16 Posted 29/05/2016 at 22:15:50 YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSBellew ! Duncan McDine 17 Posted 29/05/2016 at 22:16:18 Yeeeeeaaaahhh Tony Draper 18 Posted 29/05/2016 at 22:16:38 BOMBER!World Champion! Duncan McDine 19 Posted 29/05/2016 at 22:16:45 Is the other lad alright? Kunal Desai 20 Posted 29/05/2016 at 22:16:48 All over, it's a battering. Hopefully Makubu is okay. Mike Hughes 21 Posted 29/05/2016 at 22:17:43 Get in there!Thought this would be tougher than three rounds.But there's no stopping the Blue Boys.That's an omen for the future.We're on the up. Colin Glassar 23 Posted 29/05/2016 at 22:18:55 Bellew for manager? Sue Brown 24 Posted 29/05/2016 at 22:19:02 Bloody hell that's how to do it Mike Hughes 25 Posted 29/05/2016 at 22:21:31 Colin - Bellew is even money favourite now for the job.LOL (or whatever the kids type these days).I hope the other lad recovers OK. Tony Draper 26 Posted 29/05/2016 at 22:21:51 Seems so Duncan.Class act Bellew, how class.The hug with Makabu.True Evertonian.Style & Dignity since 1878. Colin Glassar 27 Posted 29/05/2016 at 22:23:09 Oh shit, BK's hogging the stage now. Teary eyed of course. Ste Traverse 28 Posted 29/05/2016 at 22:24:14 He proper sparked out Makabu. Well done Tony! Steve Guy 29 Posted 29/05/2016 at 22:24:51 Great night to be a Blue....spoilt only by the Dear Leader getting in on the act. Bit scary that Moyes was there too.....I felt a cold shiver down my spine... Mike Hughes 30 Posted 29/05/2016 at 22:25:39 Colin - BK's even money favourite for the job now.(LOL etc).Well done Tony Bellew.Class act.Brilliant performance. Colin Glassar 31 Posted 29/05/2016 at 22:27:18 BK doing his Don King impersonation now, hair and all. Jason Murray 32 Posted 29/05/2016 at 22:29:16 Absolutely made up for him - C'mon the Bomber! What an incredible way to advertise the club to the world and all. Pure class! Ian Bennett 33 Posted 29/05/2016 at 22:29:26 That was amazing. Brilliant stuff. Tony Draper 34 Posted 29/05/2016 at 22:30:09 That second round was NOT according to plan.But fuckin' HELL that was fuckin awesome !First title at "The Old lady" for fuckin' decades !Thankx Tony Bellew ! Thomas Surgenor 35 Posted 29/05/2016 at 22:30:44 Boom! Finally some fight and passion at Goodison this year.Great to see someone representing our club so well and not forgetting us when they make it big. Steve Guy 36 Posted 29/05/2016 at 22:32:23 Distin in the crowd 😀 Thomas Surgenor 37 Posted 29/05/2016 at 22:32:26 Distan is crowd as well. Sandra Williams 38 Posted 29/05/2016 at 22:42:30 Am not particularly a boxing fan but well done Tony!! What a brilliant achievement. Proud that he's one of us .......and proud that Goodison Park looks amazing!! Let's hope he leaves a bit of that 'spirit' on the pitch to inspire us next season! Tom Bowers 39 Posted 29/05/2016 at 22:46:24 Tony wins 2 world title fights at Goodison in one year.Once in the movies and tonight for real. Anybody else done that ? Tommy Coleman 40 Posted 29/05/2016 at 22:47:36 Brilliant night at Goodison! Jason Murray 41 Posted 29/05/2016 at 22:47:48 I'm as happy for Tony as if we won some silverware. Great to see a title paraded at Goodison in whatever capacity! Dave Lawley 42 Posted 29/05/2016 at 22:49:34 Fantastic night, wish I could have been there to share a dream with a true toffee, great fight great finish, enjoy your night TB it doesn't get any better than that, GET IN THERE! Brian Bates 43 Posted 29/05/2016 at 22:56:41 Two home wins in a row since we sacked him. KEEP IT COMING! Peter Howard 44 Posted 29/05/2016 at 23:03:16 That was a knife to a gunfight! Tony Draper 45 Posted 29/05/2016 at 23:04:39 New major shareholder.Everton Vina de Mar promoted.Tony "Bomber" Bellew, crowned World Champ at "The Old Lady"The times they are a'changing......In tribute to our wonderful Chilean TwinsLink Seamus McCrudden 46 Posted 29/05/2016 at 23:05:37 Jason Murray 100% Richard Reeves 47 Posted 29/05/2016 at 23:21:05 Trust Moyes to put a bit of a downer on a great night by kicking my darkest fears into overdrive. Anyway... well done, Tony Bellew, a great performance and result. Makabu looked out cold on his feet after that left hook. Peter Thistle 48 Posted 29/05/2016 at 23:37:10 Fuckin brilliant night listening to all the chants and watching a TRUE blue fight his heart out. When he said "I am Everton", I got shivers down me spine. Well in Tone, that was a friggin buzz to watch. BTW, they pasted a tweet from John Bishop having a go about best thing that happened at Goodison since Ian Rush scored blah. Hate him even more now, didn't think it was possible. If you are on that crappy Twitter, hassle him, please! ;) Martin Nicholls 49 Posted 29/05/2016 at 23:39:04 Brilliant Bomber. Great performance from a true Blue! Colin Glassar 50 Posted 29/05/2016 at 23:45:23 I'd love John 'phoney scouser' Bishop to say that to his face Peter. Rob Halligan 51 Posted 29/05/2016 at 23:48:21 John Bishop is not even a scouser. Wasn't he born and raised in Runcorn, and now lives in Manchester? Tony Draper 52 Posted 29/05/2016 at 23:50:04 Peter @48.I'm sure that the Norwegian community of Runcorn will have found some solace in Bishop Johns words.Another first for Everton and Evertonians.Congratulations WORLD CHAMPION TONY BELLEW ! Dave Abrahams 53 Posted 29/05/2016 at 23:52:31 Well done Tony, made up, was worried the other lad was favourite, wondered why. Enjoy the rest of the night.Trust that fuckin' phoney to get in on the act, bet he'd never been to a fight before, pity Bellew likes him, should have give him a left hook as well and a couple at Ginger Moyes. Still them pair can't spoil a great night.Can they? Charlie Lloyd 54 Posted 29/05/2016 at 23:52:58 What a performance. Took one first round then took the guy apart. I wasn't there but on Sky the place sounded like it was rocking and Johnny Nelson and Carl Froch very complementary of the crowd. Tony Bellow well deserved and has given Everton great profile. Peter Thistle 55 Posted 30/05/2016 at 00:13:07 Was great to see Diamond and Snods in the dressing room after the match, Sylvain Distin amongst others in the crowd. A night not only for Tony, a great night for Evertonians. Mick Davies 56 Posted 30/05/2016 at 00:20:15 Great to see a happy Blue at Goodison – gutted to see that ginger snide though. Would like to know a) what has he ever had to do with boxing? b) what reason has he got to be at Goodison Park? It's all starting to smell a bit fishy, especially with that fat headed phoney of a chairman showing up everywhere when he's supposed to be ill... Tony Abrahams 57 Posted 30/05/2016 at 00:29:20 Tony Bellow, I'm fucking made up for you lad. Heart and Soul, Desire and Pride! I was honestly glad that he put you down Tony, because it brought into you, the lyrics from that famous song. "Something Inside So Strong".The look in your eyes was brilliant when he spun you over. It was like your brain was resonating with what had just happened at Goodison Park, and then you found the lyrics!"CHAMPION OF THE WORLD BELLOW" A TRUE CHAMPION AS WELL, BECAUSE YOU HAVE GOT A CHAMPIONS HEART!! CONGRATULATIONS!!! Colin Glassar 58 Posted 30/05/2016 at 00:41:39 I was thinking the same Mick I suppose after stashing a few million quid in his account he's feeling a lot better now. I might be wrong but I don't believe a word that comes out of that fat fuck's arse. It was a brilliant night but seeing Dear Leader together with his darling David put a damper on it for me. James Flynn 59 Posted 30/05/2016 at 00:46:57 Distin and Moyes were there to support a local boy done good that they met when at Everton.Likely Bellew was happy to see them.What anyone thinks doesn't count. James Marshall 60 Posted 30/05/2016 at 01:00:33 Missed the fight live but just watched a re-run. Fuckin magic from the Bomber! What a finish – Makabu is heavy handed and broke his nose with that punch in the first round, but Bellew destroyed him with some vicious punches. One of the best nights of boxing in a long time, and well deserved for a cracking bloke who entirely deserves it.....wish I'd been there! Ste Traverse 61 Posted 30/05/2016 at 01:02:34 Plenty of snide bitter comments coming from RS fans on various sites and social media.If that was a LFC-supporting fighter who we wanted to lose on the basis of their football loyalties, it would be put forward as another example of Evertonian 'bitterness'.Only downside was that fuckwit 'Chairman' attempting to get in the limelight again.But that doesn't spoil a great night of Boxing for our City. Kieran Kinsella 62 Posted 30/05/2016 at 01:22:52 Come Ste, we give as good as we get Paul Kossoff 63 Posted 30/05/2016 at 01:41:10 Hate to spoil the party boys. But.... Guess who is in Kenwright private box laughing like old pals? Yes you guessed it – Davy boy Moyes!!!! Bold as brass, special guest apparently, 'By invite.'Well it looks like we have been well and truly shafted by Bill this time... Be careful what you wish for, someone once said, and I said it a few months ago when we all called for Martinez to be sacked. Well we got our wish, and now it looks like 'And then something we don't want.' Drew O'Neall 64 Posted 30/05/2016 at 01:41:52 BK: Nearly the first thing Tony said to me was 'I'll get you Champion's League, Bill' Phil Walling 65 Posted 30/05/2016 at 02:20:33 Moshiri wouldn't do that to us, Paul.Would he ? Jay Harris 66 Posted 30/05/2016 at 02:49:49 Can we please forget about BK and the Ginger one and celebrate a brilliant win by a great scouser and Evertonian.Well done Tony Bellew you have made us all proud. Paul Kossoff 67 Posted 30/05/2016 at 02:55:35 Phil, I'm still up and I can't sleep for the thought of that twat coming back, and yes, Kenwright would do that to us. Jamie Sweet 68 Posted 30/05/2016 at 03:11:16 More passion and determination in 10 minutes than Goodison Park saw all season.That's how you respond when you get knocked down.Nice one Tony. Let's hope we see Goodison rocking like that all next season! Matt Traynor 69 Posted 30/05/2016 at 03:31:54 Congratulations to Tony. A great night, and hopefully only the first. BTW what happened to his brother Craig - he used to post on here regularly, but seems to have disappeared? Ernie Baywood 70 Posted 30/05/2016 at 05:47:06 Didn't get to watch it at the time but made up watching it on YouTube.His interview in the ring afterwards was a bit special too!The only thing I haven't seen is the actual coverage of his ring entrance... Anyone got a link? I've seen some supporter phone footage but not the actual Sky coverage. Brian Cleveland 71 Posted 30/05/2016 at 06:15:33 Ernie, don't have a link, but I can say he did come out to Z-Cars and lapped it up... quite sent a shiver down my spine in a way I'd forgotten lately. Darren Hind 72 Posted 30/05/2016 at 06:43:08 I'm desperate to get rid of Kenwright, but he is taking unwarranted stick here. Without him, last night's drama would not have happened. He didn't just give the go ahead, he played an active part in organising the whole shebang... lousy chairman, but he knows how to put a show on. Paul Conway 73 Posted 30/05/2016 at 07:15:11 BK is acting the Bollocks now. he knows that the presence of Moyes will only fuel speculation and nausea among most Evertonians.If he respects us the way he respects his 'beloved' Everton, he should issue a statement immediately to prepare us for the worst! Eddie Dunn 74 Posted 30/05/2016 at 08:01:58 Moyes had every reason to attend, as Bellew used to go to the Finch Farm site to do some training, and will know lots of the players and staff. Kenwright helped organise the thing and make Tony's dream come true, so why shouldn't he congratulate his friend?I do hope that that there was no business done with Moyes and Kenwright though!John Bishop's Tweet was put on the screen by Sky – the tit couldn't resist having a dig. It just show his lack of class, and the RS tossers on Facebook trolling the fight comments show real jealousy. They hate us in the limelight.Let's hope we get a high profile manager who will fill them with dread for the season ahead. Nice one, Tony Bellew. Alan Williams 75 Posted 30/05/2016 at 08:53:00 Well done, Tony, I'm not a boxing fan but happy for you. Sorry, but all the other Everton love-in stuff I found a bit cringe-worthy, nevertheless my niece went and loved it. Mr Bishop's comments I thought were funny, what I would expect from them scumbags so don't see why you all get offended so easy. As for giving Moyes and Kenwright stick at the match is just pathetic, you moan the RS have no class then abuse the chairman and ex manager, double standards. A lot of people on this site need to look in the mirror and just pause before being offending by every little incident. Enjoy the boxing and put away the politics of football, best part of the night was when both boxers hugged on the floor and respected each other. Dave Abrahams 76 Posted 30/05/2016 at 08:57:46 Kieran (62), well speaking for myself, I wanted Tony Bellew to win as a boxer, separated football from boxing, couldn't really be any more pleased no matter who he supported.Wanted Alan Rudkin to win every fight he had – Alan was a red; wanted David Price to win last night.It was fantastic for Tony to win the world title in a place that he loves, his second home if you like, but it was about boxing, the football part was secondary to me. Even when Tony said "I am Everton", it didn't register with me. No, Tony, you are not Everton – you are a part of Everton; your success was brilliant for you as a man and a boxer.Hope you have some more big pay-days as a boxer and secure you and your family's future, well done. Tony Abrahams 78 Posted 30/05/2016 at 09:50:08 Dave, as I've already said, I'm made up for Bellow. I just wish that every Everton player, played with his heart when they put on the blue shirt. Similarly, I wish that every Liverpool player, played with the heart of David Price, when they wore the red shirt.Can't really criticise anyone who is brave enough to get into the ring, but I really wish that Pricey had as big of a heart as Bellow. If he did it would be brilliant for this city, because I think we would have two world champions now, with Callum Smith to follow. Not sure how far Liam Smith, can go, but right to the top I hope, because he's a really top kid. His brother, Steven, is another boxer who I really enjoy watching, never takes a backward step, and has got a terrific work ethic. I've still got high hopes for him. He's learned how to lose (surely the hardest thing in boxing), and he's come back stronger. Nothing better than seeing the local boys doing so well. It's great to see, whoever they support, even if I was made up with Everton for refusing Price his song! Bob Cumiskey 79 Posted 30/05/2016 at 10:19:26 Well done, Tony Bellew. A truly great night for you at the home of your beloved blues. Well done. Martin Nicholls 80 Posted 30/05/2016 at 10:28:22 Matt (#69). For a brief period in the mid/late 1990s, I worked with Craig who's a good lad. If memory serves, he moved to the Isle of Man although initially at least he was still coming over to Goodison Park as I once bumped into him on Goodison Road. I too wondered what became of him and was looking out for him at ringside last night but to no avail. Kev Nulty 81 Posted 30/05/2016 at 10:40:50 Nice one, Tony lad! Paul Andrews 82 Posted 30/05/2016 at 10:56:13 What a night!Suffering this morning, feel like I've been hit with a right 'ook to the ribs, but all worth it.Well done, Tony. Congratulations!!! Steve Davies 83 Posted 30/05/2016 at 12:58:21 Brilliant atmosphere in the back of the Gwladys last night. Made up for Bellew. Top fella. It was one of my best nights at Goodison.How they put up with that sneak Moyes is beyond me. I just hope we don't have him back. Anyway, it was Bellew's night. Well done lad........ Brian Williams 84 Posted 30/05/2016 at 13:37:44 Some of the earlier comments on here are ridiculous with regard to Moyes being at the fight. There are some really negative doom mongers that get on TW.Let me just say that Moyes IS NOT coming back to the club as Martinez's replacement. 100% guaranteed! Kim Vivian 85 Posted 30/05/2016 at 14:37:37 Great bit of theatre there last night. Bill will have had a big hand in that. Good for him.And Mick (#56) – he is well ill mate, for sure. In fact, he's bearing up well. Mark Ryan 86 Posted 30/05/2016 at 15:49:56 Enjoyed the last night and I was proud to be a blue. The staff at Everton deserve a lot of credit and it was a night for all Evertonians to savour. It you didn't seeit you must watch it on catch up. All Evertonians past and present were represented and it mattered not to me that the likes of Moyes were there. It was a coming together of Evertonians and Tony made me proud to be a Toffee. Thanks to him it was a night that will live long in the memory when Goodison is no longer with us. Very proud last night and when Johnny Todd started to play I had goosebumps. Well done Tony, immense effort Mick Davies 87 Posted 30/05/2016 at 15:50:10 Kim @ 85, I've never seen so much of him since he declared his illness. If I was that ill and with all that wedge AND with a West End business to run, I'd be a lot less conspicuous, ie, lying on a beach somewhere taking it easy. Jamie Barlow 88 Posted 30/05/2016 at 17:11:58 Fantastic night for Tony, his family and Evertonians. I didn't fancy him to be honest but he rose to the occasion and smashed him all over under the Goodison lights. What a dream come true for the lad.I've no problem at all with Moyes and Kenwright being there. I wouldn't expect anything else. Andy Meighan 89 Posted 30/05/2016 at 17:54:07 Ste (#61) of course there was some snide comments from the RedShite – you wouldn't expect anything else. No wonder we despise them cocky fuckers thought they just had to turn up against Sevilla and that was it, game over. Tony Bellew just showed them you've got to graft to win a title. What a lad, what a blue, and what a night! As for our loveable neighbours, didn't they end the season like us potless and not even in the European places? Ah well, there's always next season, hey... Mike Powell 90 Posted 30/05/2016 at 19:31:41 I had a great night at Goodison, watching Bomber become Champion off the World, The atmosphere was superb; well done, Tony. COYBS Paul Kossoff 92 Posted 01/06/2016 at 15:29:55 Tony 78, I wish every Liverpool player would play so badly in the red shirt that the dirty conniving cheating scum would end up in the Championship.The dark side do not deserve any praise however small from any Evertonian.May Liverpool football club NEVER win another thing. Add Your Comments In order to post a comment, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site. » Log in now Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and Talking Points submissions across the site. About these ads © ToffeeWeb