Adonis Stevenson vs Tony Bellew: Bomb resistance needed for Bellew

By Peter Wells (@boxingsaddler):

Talking a good fight: But Stevenson(right) & Bellew(left) usually deliver

Many laughed at Adonis Stevenson when he sat waiting as mandatory challenger for the IBF and WBC titles back at Super Middleweight, but the Canadian born in Haiti ignored the ignorance of boxing fans and press alike. He bided his time before springing at the opportunity he was afforded by Chad Dawson in June this year. Adonis 22-1(19) and his team were the only ones convinced he would win, and he made fools of us all when he demolished Dawson in one round. Stevenson always knew he would have the last laugh.

Now the tables have turned and his opponent on Saturday night in Quebec City will be the man dismissed as nothing more than an obstacle in the way of Stevenson's nights in the spotlight. But Liverpool's Tony Bellew 20-1-1(12) is out on a mission, the same mission that Stevenson took in order to prove why he dubbed himself 'Superman'.

Bellew will need to produce a super human performance to overturn the odds, but the assured fighter almost upset the applecart back in 2011 when he narrowly lost to British rival Nathan Cleverly, his only previous world title bout. Since that first defeat Bellew has mixed with decent fringe contenders in a poor Light Heavyweight division that outside of stars Bernard Hopkins, Sergey Kovalev and Adonis Stevenson isn't flourishing with talent, although the winner of a highly anticipated contest between Lucian Bute and Jean Pascal will have something to say about that.

Tony has beaten a faded Edison Miranda (TKO 9), an untested Roberto Feliciano Bolonti (UD 12) before drawing with Isaac Chilemba when many observers had Chilemba slightly ahead. He then improved considerably in the second encounter with Chilemba as he won a unanimous decision. But the real concerns surrounding Bellew, who has undeniably improved in recent years, are his struggles at domestic level. He survived a torrid time with Ovill McKenzie (W TKO 8), suffering two knockdowns in the first 2 rounds. Prior to that Bob Ajisafe (W UD 12) had Bellew on the canvas as did journeyman Jevgenijs Andrejevs (W PTS 4).

Bellew is the only one who has shown vulnerabilities in the defensive department as Stevenson's only defeat came by way of knockout when he was stunned by rugged journeyman Darnell Boone (L TKO 2). In defence of Stevenson it was only his 14th fight and immaturity will have been to blame, which is much the same with Bellew. Since that defeat Stevenson has been on fire, stopping all of his opponents including Aaron Pryor Jr (TKO 9), Jesus Gonzalez (KO 1), Don George (TKO 12) a revenge over Darnell Boone (KO 6), Chad Dawson (KO 1) and Tavoris Cloud (RTD 7). Again much like Bellew outside of Dawson and Cloud none of those opponents were world beaters, but his power in each of those victories was apparent and scary.

Power: Adonis put as much into that left hand as he
did into his celebration afterwards

In the case of his victory over former IBF champion Cloud, Stevenson surprised many when he boxed his way to victory, schooling Cloud even more comprehensively than Bernard Hopkins earlier this year. Adonis erased any fears over him being a one-dimensional fighter, and he will require that versatility against Bellew on Saturday.

So while the whole of the UK will be routing for Bellew, he is at a huge disadvantage in many departments. If he brings in the straight right hand against the southpaw boxer he instantly brings into play Stevenson's most potent weapon, the straight left hand, an error many of Adonis' previous opponents have made. And while Bellew arguably has the better jab, the sheer speed of Adonis will trouble Bellew if he tries to outbox the home fighter. Then comes the power, and while Bellew will find openings of his own, his punches had very little effect on Isaac Chilemba and it is unlikely they'll cause much effect on Stevenson either.

The pick is for Bellew to start tentatively, attempting not to offer Stevenson with an early chance at levelling him with the left hand. As the fight closes in on the half way stage Stevenson's power will start to tell and Bellew will stick to the outside, allowing Stevenson to control the contest at his pace. But Bellew being the warrior he is, it's unlikely he'll settle for just second best as he pushes to disrupt Stevenson's rhythm. Ultimately though this go for broke attitude will cost Bellew in the end as he leaves himself more and more open as the contest progresses, eventually one clean left hand will connect and the fight will be over, likely between rounds 8-10. Bellew will receive many plaudits after the fight but Stevenson will once again prove that his reign as WBC Light Heavyweight champion is no fluke.

On the undercard, Sergey Kovalev 22-0-1(20) looks to defend his WBO Light Heavyweight title against Ismayl Sillakh 21-1(17).

The Russian that dethroned Nathan Cleverly will be looking to set up a mouth watering unification fight with Stevenson and will likely set it up in style, stopping the game Sillakh in 5 rounds.