The WBC have set a purse bid date of July 26 for Tony Bellew to challenge Adonis Stevenson for the light heavyweight World title. Bellew claimed the mandatory challenger position by defeating Isaac Chilemba in a final eliminator at the O2 Arena on May 25, while Stevenson stunned former champ Chad Dawson with a first round KO to win the belt in his native Canada on June 8.
Stevenson has requested an interim bout against former IBF champ Tavoris Cloud in September but the WBC will only grant this if all parties are contracted to the Tony Bellew fight which must happen within 90 days of their bout.
The knockout win over Dawson was shocking and dramatic, and Stevenson instantly vaulted himself to the top of the division, and to the front lines of the sport. Therefore, Stevenson vs. Cloud seems to be a somewhat random fight for “Superman”, as Cloud no longer has a belt, and nor does he have a big name or much drawing power. They must be looking at him as an easy mark for an at-home title defense, before looking to Bellew, or perhaps a rematch with Chad Dawson, or any number of other, bigger matches.
We’ll keep you posted with any more news or information regarding Stevenson vs. Cloud, Stevenson vs. Bellew, or anything else that gets put together.
