Bellew: Title is for me

TONY BELLEW believes he will achieve his life-long dream tonight and become WBC cruiserweight champion at his beloved Goodison Park.

Congolese star Ilunga Makabu, who has won 19 of his 20 fights, stands in the way of Bellew (above), who is hoping to take the vacant strap at the third time of asking.

The 33-year-old Everton fan lost to Adonis Stevenson and Nathan Cleverly in his bid for the WBC and WBO versions of the light-heavyweight crown before stepping up a division.

But Bellew, who knows he is unlikely to get another shot at a title, is determined to make the most of his third chance.

Makabu (below) is the most avoided fighter in the division but Bellew believes there is no chance of him being denied his destiny. Bellew said: “There’s nothing he can do to beat me.

“Boxing is a brutal sport and he has to make it as brutal as possible, but I don’t believe he has the size and structure to do it.

“He’s going to come in light, which will be a bad mistake.

“The advantages he usually has in fights are through speed and power

“He’s normally faster than his opponents and punches harder, but I don’t think he’ll have that against me.

“We both have records that suggest we have vulnerable tendencies.

“He’s been put on the floor – I don’t care if it was in his first fight or last fight. Who’s he beaten who is a world-class fighter?”