Tony Bellew says he is ready for world title shot after Ivica Bacurin stoppage with his eyes on Yoan Pablo Hernandez fight

Tony Bellew dropped Ivica Bacurin three times in his 10-round victory
Now the Liverpool fighter wants a world title shot in October or November
Yoan Pablo Hernandez would be Bellew’s most likely opponent

Published:
23:59 GMT, 26 June 2015

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Updated:
08:21 GMT, 27 June 2015

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Tony Bellew believes he is back to his best and in prime condition for a third world title bid after he pounded Ivica Bacurin to a 10th-round stoppage on Friday night.

Bellew, who struggled with flu in the build-up to the fight, showed no signs of grogginess as he dropped the Croatian cruiserweight three times before referee Steve Gray called a halt to proceedings at the Echo Arena in Liverpool.

And the 32-year-old thinks now is the time for a third shot at a world crown with promotor Eddie Hearn already lining up a fight for October or November of this year.

Tony Bellew pounded Ivica Bacurin to a 10th-round stoppage on Friday night at Liverpool’s Echo Arena

Bellew, who struggled with flu in the build-up to the fight, showed no signs of grogginess in a brilliant display

The 32-year-old dropped the Croatian cruiserweight three times before referee Steve Gray called a halt

Bellew has previously lost world title bids against Nathan Cleverly in 2011 and Adonis Stevenson in 2013 but feels it could be third-time lucky with Yoan Pablo Hernandez a potential opponent.

‘It was great to be back in there and back where I belong,’ he said on Friday night. ‘I am ready for a world title shot. Eddie Hearn has delivered on every word he has said from day one and I believe that he will bring me that shot.’

Bacurin went down in the second, fifth and ninth rounds before the final round stoppage and Bellew said that there was no way his recent illness could stop him delivering for his fans on home turf.

‘I got ill last week but there was no way I was missing this,’ he said. ‘Dave Coldwell has improved me 25 per cent at least but you cannot stop picking up injuries in camp and getting sick. My kids are bringing home every flu and cold bug from school.

Hearn added: ‘We want the winner of the IBF title fight in July and we’ll look to get him in there for that belt in October or November – it has to be a world title next for Tony.’