Saturday 30 March 2013 11:09, UK
Tony Bellew says he is "willing to die" in the ring when facing Isaac Chilemba in a light-heavyweight world title eliminator in Liverpool on Saturday night.
Bellew admitted he had WBC champ Dawson in his sights and added: "This (win) would make me an interim champion, if you like (but) I'm hellbent on becoming a world champion. "I targeted the WBC because when we sat down with Eddie (promoter Hearn) at the start we said who's the best heavyweight in the world? We knew who it was, it was Chad Dawson so we targeted the WBC title. "I always knew Dawson was the best. No one can say if I lift the WBC title and I beat Chad Dawson, nobody can question who the best light-heavyweight in the world is, it will be me. If I win the IBF or WBA people will say 'you know he's not the best, he might be world champion but not the best.' (But) If you win the WBC title, that green belt, you are the best light-heavyweight in the world, simple as that. I'm halfway there. I'm not happy till I get all the way there." Johannesburg-based Chilemba, who has only fought in the United States or South Africa, was undeterred though and said: "All my life I've fought on other people's soil, so this is no different to any other fight I've had. All I have now is to look forward to the fight." Asked whether Bellew would feel any extra pressure being cheered on by 7,000 home fans, the 25-yearold added: "Probably, I think I would feel the same in Malawi and having all the people around me, people who believe I could do and expect the best out of me. "I think I would be under pressure because I don't want to disappoint the people. As much as anyone else and Tony would think I would feel under pressure, he's the one under pressure here (in Liverpool)." Follow all the action live and interactive on skysports.com from 6pm on Saturday, or watch live boxing on the red button from 7pm.
