Tony Bellew insists WBC cruiserweight champion, Ilunga Makabu must use his superior size to his advantage in a clash with Canelo Alvarez.
The WBC approved the shock request of Canelo and trainer and manager, Eddy Reynoso to move up two weight classes to challenge Makabu, at their convention in Mexico City last week.
Bellew climbed off the canvas in the first round to knock out the Congo native in three rounds and claim the vacant WBC cruiserweight title at Goodison Park in 2016.
The 34-year-old has been on a nine-fight winning streak since securing the WBC belt at the second attempt with victory over Michel Cieslak last January, before making a successful first defence against Olanrewaju Durodola, who was stopped by Richard Riakporhe on Saturday.
Four-weight world champion, Canelo became undisputed super middleweight champion, stopping Caleb Plant in 11 rounds earlier this month and had been expected to either remain at 168lbs or move up to light heavyweight to tackle the likes of WBC and IBF champion, Artur Beterbiev or WBA titlist, Dmitry Bivol.
View this post on Instagram
Bellew has encouraged his former foe to start quickly, should a showdown with the Mexican great materialise.
“Makabu likes to have a look and that’s why I tried to jump on him in our fight,” Bellew told DAZN.
“He’s very relaxed in the early rounds, because he wants to have a proper look at what’s in front of him then go to work in the later rounds.
“I wasn’t going to give him that opportunity and that’s why I started as quick as I did.
“Makabu has a high guard and dangerous left hand and he has to get that into play from the first bell.
“Canelo is going to come in heavy so he could lose some of what makes him special, but Makabu will still be the bigger man and he has to make that count.
“His size can be a big asset, but he has to use it from the moment the fight starts otherwise he’ll be playing catch up against the best fighter in the sport.”
