In the official list, German Eduard Gutknecht is named as the number one in the division, although his Saturday defeat to compatriot Juergen Braehmer means that Bellew moves up one place to claim the accolade, which the Briton is delighted to accept.
“I am honoured to be the number one challenger in the world,” Bellew told World Boxing News.
“I have earned this over the last 12 months and will have to prove I’m number 1 on March 30th against Isaac Chilemba.
“I’m looking forward to a big challenge and proving myself once again under the lights,” he added.
The 30 year-old from Liverpool faces the dangerous South Africa-based Malawian Chilemba on March 30 knowing that a victory guarantees him a shot at current title holder Chad Dawson.
Dawson has to come through his scheduled rematch with Jean Pascal in May to set up the title defence and would have to overturn one of only two defeats on his record to face Bellew later in the year.
