By Nick Kelly

Tony Bellew (12-0) challenges for his first title on Friday at the Liverpool Echo Arena when he takes on Ghanaian Atoli Moore (10-0) for the Commonwealth light heavyweight belt.  The exuberant Scouser predicted a great night when talking at the pre-fight presser, and again stated that the undefeated Moore would not survive the twelve round distance.

“When I get him into that ring I’m going to smash him to pieces,” said the typically assured Bellew.  “He knows that, I know that, I’m going to do a job on him.

“I don’t care where he has come from, what city he’s from, what part of the world he’s from, I’m from Liverpool, one of the hardest places you can come from. 

“My city has been built on fighting and hard times, from the Toxteth riots to the Dockers.  My city has fought for everything it’s got and I’m going to prove it and send him back to Ghana; he’s going to be a loser and he’s going to get hurt.”

“I’d be amazed if he takes what I’ve got,” he continued.  “It could be 3 seconds, it could be 30 seconds, it could be 3 rounds but I’m telling you now it’s not going 12 rounds.  He is not going to be standing and he is not going to take what I’ve got.  I’m going to break him in every possible way and he’s not going to know what’s hit him.”

Upon entering the ring ‘Bomber’ Bellew will be joined by a Liverpool legend in former British, European and world light heavyweight champion, John Conteh.  Conteh himself won the Commonwealth title when he defeated Chris Finnegan in 1973.

“It’s going to be a bit surreal having John in my corner, because everyone knows John, the greatest fighter this city has produced in my eyes, and possibly one of the greatest fighters this country has ever produced.  So for John to come to a show of this magnitude; I’m really happy, John’s a legend and hero to me,” admitted the 27-year-old.

“I’m over the moon that I’m fighting in my own city for a title.  Frank Warren has made that happen, he said he’d do it from day one and he’s delivered for me once again.”