Tony Bellew has won the WBC cruiserweight title, knocking out Ilunga Makabu in the third round at Everton's Goodison Park.
The 33-year-old Liverpudlian and proud Everton fan realised a long-held dream by fighting at the home of his beloved Toffees, and backed that up by dispatching Makabu in style.
Bellew lost two world title tilts at light-heavyweight, against Nathan Cleverly in 2011 and Adonis Stevenson in 2013, but made it third time lucky after stepping up to cruiserweight.
Makabu was installed as the bookies' pre-bout favourite, but Bellew wasted little time in dispelling those predictions.
Bellew produced a bevy of combinations in the third round once he sensed he had hurt Makabu.
The 28-year-old from the Democratic Republic of Congo is renowned for his counter-punching abilities, but had no answers once Bellew unloaded his full arsenal in the third round.
Makabu had produced almost the perfect start in the opening round, lulling Bellew into one of his customary traps, soaking up a host of shots before countering with a straight left hand.
That clean shot put Bellew to the canvas, leaving the Liverpool native's trainer David Caldwell telling him "you got greedy" after the first round.
Both men adopted a more circumspect approach in the second round, both bleeding from their noses after trading hefty blows. But when Bellew hit full tilt in the very next round, Makabu could offer no defence.
Source: PA
