The Big Bang - The Aftermath

As the dust settles on one of the biggest explosions of boxing talent seen for some time, I talk to Tony Bellew about his impressions of the 'Big Bang' event

B: First of all, thanks again for agreeing to this interview. You were confident from the start. What was your plans for the fight? 

TB: First of all thank you for the kind comments.

I'm always confident in my ability and the way I prepare leaves me with zero doubts come fight night.
I had prepared as if it was a world title fight like I do for all my fights, people have to realise I give this game 110%!!
My coaches demand it , and  they expect it so by fight time I'm ultra confident and fully believe I'm going to put in a great performance .
Add to that my coaches had studied Danny thoroughly and came up with a great game plan .
Well 3 game plans if I'm being honest.
Since returning back home to train at The Rotunda in Liverpool I've become a much  better professional in every way possible.

B: Did any aspect of Danny's performance surprise you?

TB: Not really, he tried everything we anticipated, he tried to box ,he tried to fight and he ended up trying to run but he was found out on every aspect. I said before the fight I was ready for whatever Danny McIntosh had planned. I meant it and it showed IMHO.

B: He had a lot of problems with his gum shield. Ill fitting gum shield or stalling technique in your opinion?

TB: Bit of both when it come to the gum shield I think he may have spat it out and I physically took it out his mouth a few times to be fair to him.

He should be fighting with a properly fitted dentist gum shield to be honest. I’m happy he was not hurt due to an improper fit.

B: You set out to make a statement and every tweet I have read on twitter agrees with me that you certainly did. What now?

TB: I'm hoping that win makes me mandatory challenger for the European title. I've defeated the former European Champion in devastating fashion so if that doesn't make me mandatory then I don't know what will.

B: After the fight, Nathan Cleverly tweeted that the fight between you two has to happen. Do you believe it will?

TB: I've been asking for the rematch since the after post fight presser.

I was promised if it’s close in any way shape or form then we would have an immediate rematch.

Do fights get much closer than that?

However I’ve moved on to new and tougher challengers and I’m not fighting number 83 in the World?

I would also state that I have never been offered the re match at all.   

Basically I've kept my profile alive with my twitter account and by a great following of Evertonians.

B: The event itself was a great night and the atmosphere must've been incredible. Can you sum up what it felt like to get that wave of support from your fans?

TB: I'll be totally honest I still can't get my head round the fact that people pay to come and see me fight.

I understand friends and family but for people who don't know me to pay to see me fight it's humbling and truly unbelievable. 

I'm blessed to have the chance to fight in the Echo Arena, I don't wanna call people fans cos basically I'm a nobody, so I'd just prefer to call them people that pay to watch me, extended family & friends.. 

The feeling I get I can't really describe it makes the hairs on your neck stand up! 

Like I say I'm humbled and blessed and I can't thank them all enough.

B: Ha, you’re hardly a nobody in today’s boxing scene, Tony. Can you tell us something about your training camp?

TB: The only way to describe training camp is BRUTAL!! 

What I will say is having Joe Selkirk alongside me helped me massively it really did, he is so supremely talented it's unreal!

Having him joining the team and working with me has been a breath of fresh air .

I’m like many fighters -  very moody in camp and I'm not a good person to be around, sometimes I snap and I'm blessed to have Mick, Mark, Gary and my Dad around me cos without that team around me I'm nothing .

I rise at 05:30am for running work- then to the gym for boxing work  11-2 then onto strength & conditioning for 3-4:30/5 so it's long hard days and I give 110% every time too.. 

B: Having watched the fight back, how do you feel about your own performance and is there anything you still want to work on?

TB: Most definitely there are things to work on, I'm far from the finished article, I'm learning everyday and I really mean that, when I came home from Manchester (Farnells gym) no disrespect but I had to start all over again.

I had zero defence, was eating right hands and was trying to imitate Floyd Mayweather.

As much as I admire the money man, make no mistake he is a one off.

I was not fighting to my strengths

I'm 6ft 3, and I was  throwing 20 punch combos on the pads without moving .

I mean is someone gonna stand in front of me and say strike me?

No chance! 

When I came home to Mick & Mark I went back to basics and it took a long time to sink in.

Like I always say I'm not the most talented but I'll be surprised if you find someone who works harder than me believe that.

B: Danny surprised everyone by failing to appear at the presser. What are your views on that?

TB: You know what it's water under the bridge, I just think Danny decided to lose the last bit of weight in the comforts of where he'd been living so who am I to tell him off for doing that ? 

I really like Danny McIntosh if the truth be known, he's a good kid and funny.

I'm just happy the show was a success and that everyone left happy.

B: You were supported by a great array of boxing talent and the night was a true celebration of the sport. Can you see Liverpool getting more such events in the future?

TB: Most definitely. The show Frank Maloney is putting on in Liverpool is amazing it really is. 

I could sell 100 tickets for that and I'm not even fighting . 

With 6 title fights  it really is commendable .

The jobs the likes of Matchroom and Coldwell Promotions are doing also deserve props , Kell Brook selling out arenas speaks for itself .

Liverpool is definitely capable of this .

The more fights that are made that capture the imagination the better, a good fight will sell no matter where you put it so it's basically down to fighters manning up and promoters believing in there fighters .

I'd love to see promoters working together like Dave & Eddie just did, they were both a pleasure to deal with fight night .

I say this with great urgency, boxing needs to become transparent and  the welfare of the boxer made paramount .

I commend anyone in boxing who is honest and transparent cos at the end of the day you can then take them on there word .

I've gone a bit off track there sorry, as for Liverpool boxing I mean look at it, Pricey,Edwards,Selkirk,Smiths,Derry,Butler,Dickens,Williams,Brough I could go on and on.. Liverpool boxing is here and it's here to stay this time and that makes me :-)

B: Finally a question about David Coldwell who made he whole event possible. What are your views on the event and he man who breathed life into it.

TB: Well I can't praise Dave Coldwell enough, people don't know this but promoters were not keen on signing me at first, people said I was lazy and I would never make 175lbs.

Mick Hennesey approached me first and then some others but it wasn't until I went to Dave Coldwells gym and sparred with John Anthony that things started to happen for me .

I sparred 6 rounds and Dave Coldwell and I chatted for a while after it .

I told him my desire to go Pro and asked how a fighter in Liverpool could make inroads with a promoter.

I heard nothing back, then out of the goodness of his heart Dave Coldwell called Frank Warren, they spoke for about 10 mins and the word Dave used to describe me was "Frank, this kid is a tv fighter" 

I couldn't believe someone was talking to Frank Warren about me in this way.

An hour later I had Dean Powell on the phone, 2 days later I was in an office with Frank and signed with him that day.

Some turn around it was, it was all down to Dave Coldwell .  I owe him so, so much cos he got me the start and he put his neck on the line for me, that is the kind of person Dave is, he's one of the first people I call and can confide in he really is. 

He'll be a lifelong friend and he s someone who is good for boxing. 

He is honest, transparent and just an all round great guy, what you see is what you get with Dave Coldwell. If boxing had more Dave Coldwells it would be a better place that is for sure..

B: I have to agree. He is in tune with boxing fans as well as boxers and has time for everyone. A great guy.

Once again thanks for the interview, Tony. I'm sure it's going to be onwards and upwards now and I hope well see you n action soon. Meantime, I guess you are looking forward to some rest and family time.

TB: My plane has just touched down as I finish this interview so yeah family time it is.. Thank you for your support it really is appreciated.

See you all again soon.