Distin could KO anyone with his left hand, claims Bellew (but which Everton star does he think could be a real king of the ring?)

By Martin Domin

PUBLISHED: 15:11 EST, 20 March 2013 | UPDATED: 08:53 EST, 21 March 2013

As a powerful centre back, Sylvain Distin wouldn’t look out of place in a boxing ring.

His Everton team-mate Victor Anichebe is also not afraid to bully players off the ball.

But it is Tony Hibbert who has been tipped to master the sweet science by lifelong Toffees fan and light-heavyweight boxer Tony Bellew.

Scroll down to watch the video

Top tip: Tony Bellew believes Tony Hibbert (below) has the potential to make it as an amateur boxer

Top tip: Tony Bellew believes Tony Hibbert (below) has the potential to make it as an amateur boxer

Ready for battle? The tenacious Tony Hibbert could box as an amateur, says Tony Bellew

‘There are a few good boxers at the club,’ he told Sportsmail.

‘Sylvain Distin and Victor Anichebe are big, heavy guys and now that they know how to punch correctly, I’d fear for any player trying to chop into them. If they hit you, you’re going out like a light.

‘Distin is just massive, he’s the best athlete I’ve ever trained with in any sport and I’ve trained with some of the best in the country including Amir Khan and David Haye. If he hits anyone with that left hand, they’re going to sleep.

‘But Tony Hibbert could actually box; he could have an amateur fight and do well.’

Ambitious: Light heavyweight Bellew wants to fight for a world title at Goodison Park

Ambitious: Light heavyweight Bellew wants to fight for a world title at Goodison Park

Ring walk? Or a ball boy?

Bellew, 30, will be roared on by a partisan crowd at Liverpool’s Echo Arena on March 30 when he faces Malawi’s Isaac Chilemba in a final eliminator for a shot at WBC champion Chad Dawson - and there will be a few familiar faces ringside.

‘The players are all friends,’ he added. ‘They watch me fight and they’ll be there a week on Saturday. I’ve got it out of my head that they’re superstars; they’re just normal guys who happen to be good at kicking a ball.

‘Nobody else is linked to the club like I am. I wear the badge on my shorts and they look after me; from the chairman to the gaffer to the coaches and physios.

‘I train at the club twice a week because they have the best facilities like air pressure machines, hydrotherapy pools and ice baths. They have every possible thing for hill running, explosive running, boxing and plyometrics.'

'Best athlete': Bellew believes Sylvain Distin to be the greatest he has trained with

'Best athlete': Bellew believes Sylvain Distin to be the greatest he has trained with

Fight face: Bellew is preparing to take on Isaac Chilemba in Liverpool on Saturday week

Fight face: Bellew is preparing to take on Isaac Chilemba in Liverpool on Saturday week

Bellew was also quick to defend footballers against accusations they have it easy compared to other sportsmen.

‘Everybody goes on about their inflated wages but that money has got to go somewhere and I’d rather it went to the players on the pitch than people in the stands with a shirt and tie,’ he said.

‘Make no mistake about it, nobody gives you nothing for nothing, you have to work hard to get what you want. Those guys have worked hard to be professional footballers and have mastered their trade.

‘Normal athletes couldn’t do what Premier League football players can do.'

Big puncher: Bellew is one fight away from a world title fight against WBC champion Chad Dawson

Big puncher: Bellew is one fight away from a world title fight against WBC champion Chad Dawson

Aggressive? Bellew's personality is different in the ring

Bellew earned his shot at Chilemba by beating Edison Miranda and Roberto Bolonti last year and is convinced he will be far hungrier than his younger opponent.

And if he can go on to realise his dream of becoming world champion, he hopes to one day grace the same turf as his Everton idols.

‘My ultimate dream is to fight at Goodison Park; it’s never been done before,’ he said, ‘You can have 40,000 people there and stick a ring on the pitch and it would be a dream come true.

‘I’d rather fight at Goodison Park than in Las Vegas but I’ve got to become a world champion before that’s possible.

‘Some people see this as a 50/50 fight but in my eyes, I’m going to hurt him.

‘When I go into a boxing ring, I’m willing to die. Is he willing to go that far?’

VIDEO: TONY BELLEW DISCUSSES EVERTON AND ISAAC CHILEMBA

 


 

More...

 
Add your comments

Comments (14)

The comments below have not been moderated.

 View all

Grow up bellew , why everytime you give an interview you come across like your a 14 year old kid talking like your about to have a street fight, have a bit of respect for our sport ang drop the cheap talk

Click to rate     Rating   1

Report abuse

I thought he beat Cleverley to be honest.

Click to rate     Rating   2

Report abuse

Actually, his fight against Cleverley was very close, and some people actually thought he won. Why are Mancs so blinded by their hatred for Scousers ?

Click to rate     Rating   1

Report abuse

Thomas from M'chester & JKelehar from London what are you talking about your pair of whoppers. Email tough guys thats all you are, boring troll comments. Everton arent a small club fact look at are history, Cleverley didnt destroy him at all, Bellew is a class act. Cant wait to see him fight at Goodison. COYB ! Probably both Man U fans who have never been the match.

Click to rate     Rating   10

Report abuse

Good job the lads are getting to grips with boxing; we play Stoke on the 30th!

Click to rate     Rating   20

Report abuse

Bellew like yours truly has Handsofstone. Good lad who always follow and back to the hilt.

Click to rate     Rating   12

Report abuse

small-time club

Click to rate     Rating   34

Report abuse

This kid got destroyed by Cleverley, he has no chance, dirty scouser.

Click to rate     Rating   50

Report abuse

I can see it now a misty night at goodison floodlights gleaming Hibbo catches klitshko with a body shot then floors him with a swinging right for a KO

Click to rate     Rating   28

Report abuse

your stories are getting worse dm. I read this app to see whats happening in the world of sport. best you can come up with is how well everton players would do in a boxing ring. great. - mike , Cheshire, 21/3/2013 08:41 Yes. Disgraceful that there is an interview with an Everton-supporting boxer, talking about his career and his opinion of individual Everton players, when the space could have been used for another article about Liverpool - I can only count six today.

Click to rate     Rating   20

Report abuse

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

Add your comment

You have 1000 characters left.
Libellous and abusive comments are not allowed. Please read our House Rules.
For information about privacy and cookies please read our Privacy Policy.
Terms