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Home » Emeritus WBC champion Tony Bellew can still have a shot at Alexsandr Usyk whenever he wants

Emeritus WBC champion Tony Bellew can still have a shot at Alexsandr Usyk whenever he wants

The WBC will stay loyal to their former title holder after Bellew achieved his lifelong dream in front of the Gwladys Street End of his beloved Goodison Park in May 2016.

Bellew now operates at the heavyweight limit but is afforded a straight shot at whoever holds the belt whenever the Liverpool man decides.

Those are the conditions held by the Emeritus champion, a similar standing to that of Vitali Klitschko at the 200 pounds plus limit.

Should Bellew decide to move back down to cruiserweight, a massive battle with Alexsandr Usyk (or the winner of the World Boxing Super Series) awaits ‘The Bomber’.

Following back-to-back victories over David Haye, Bellew is ranked number five at the heavyweight limit in the latest May ratings and could potentially push for a final eliminator against stablemate Dillian Whyte.

That seems too risky for Bellew at the moment, though – merely due to the size difference between both men as the staunch Evertonian bids to secure another massive fight moving forward.

Andre Ward was called out on the back of a second stoppage of Haye on May 5th, although many see Adonis Stevenson as the natural progression for Bellew.

Stevenson is the only man left holding a triumph over Bellew yet to be avenged but faces a tough match-up against Badou Jack in the meantime.

Win or lose against Jack, Stevenson could then move up the necessary 25 pounds – or even agree a catchweight of 190-195lbs – for what would be a lucrative offer from Bellew and his promoter Eddie Hearn.

Continually holding out hope Ward will come out of retirement could leave Bellew hanging around, and once the dust settles on Stevenson v Jack, it would be the ideal time for Hearn to make his move.