‘Warrior’ hopeful of Lonsdale shot

New IBO International light-heavyweight champion Tony Dodson will be an eager spectator at the Echo Arena in Liverpool on Saturday night as friend Tony Bellew challenges Nathan Cleverly for the WBO belt in front of his home fans.

The 31 year-old, who stopped Darren Stubbs last weekend in seven rounds to claim the IBO fringe title, is hoping to witness his pal win the world title before possibly challenging for his vacant British title later this year.

“Everything rests on Tony Bellew this weekend,” Dodson told The Liverpool Echo.

 “He is the domestic king and everything asked of Bomber he has done.

“I’m sure he won’t have a problem on Saturday night and come away a world champion. If so, he’ll vacate the British and I’m now ranked in the top three or four so would get the shot.”

“The plan is to just keep winning and whatever comes, comes.

“Whatever they offer me and whatever I can get my hands on. I want to stay busy and get another fight in before Christmas,” he added.

‘Warrior’ Dodson has now won 28 of 35 bouts as a pro with half inside schedule but has failed in his last three attempts to claim the coveted Lonsdale Belt and will now be more determined than ever to be first in line to challenge for it if Bellew can rip the world title away from the Welshman.

One possible opponent in a vacant title match-up would be Danny McIntosh, who surprisingly picked up European title on foreign soil against Thierry Karl in France last January, only to lose the belt in his first defence to Eduard Gutknecht in May.