On the O2 Arena promotion last night Tony Bellew took the vacant EBU cruiserweight crown in a 12 round bout against the Polish fighter Mateusz Masternak.
In what was a gruelling and far from entertaining affair, Bellew took the verdict on the judge?s scorecards by the following:-
? 115-112
? 115-112
? 115-113
Bellew, who put his career on hold to star in the new Hollywood film, Creed, looked a mess at the end with his face badly marked up. However, you got the impression that Bellew knew he couldn?t be hurt by the light punching Masternak.
The only real highlight of the fight was when Bellew hurt Masternak in the last round but couldn?t quite finish off an opponent who looked out on his feet..
Talking to the media afterwards, Bellew remarked,
?Truth be known I don?t know how good I am. I don?t actually think I?m that good ? I?m gritty, ballsy and I?ll fight to the end.
?I just want to fight the best fighters and find out how good I am.
?The belt is not mine, it?s for my three boys. I said I?d bring it home.?
It was an adequate performance but I get the feeling Bellew is a European level champion and not a bona-fide world title challenger, despite him calling out the IBF champion, Victor Ramirez, after the fight, with the Liverpudlian remarking,
?Masternak?s better than Ramirez who is basically a p***y for pulling out and doesn?t want to fight me.?
Bellew Claims European Cruiserweight Crown
