Max
07-05-2007, 04:38 PM
THE BOMBER’ Anthony Bellew has ditched his England vest in disgust and signed a professional deal with promoter Frank Warren.
Just over 12 months before the Beijing Olympics, the 23-year-old triple ABA heavyweight champion has had enough of the amateur code.
In particular Bellew has had enough of senior Great Britain coach Terry Edwards and, like a growing number of our elite internationals, he is turning over now rather than later.
His decision was undoubtedly music to the ears of Sports Network boss Warren, who is building up a strong stable of talent on Merseyside – led by Derry Mathews and Paul Smith, just in time for next year’s launch of the new Liverpool ECHO Arena.
Big-punching, larger than life Bellew is made for the pro game.
He’s as entertaining out of the ring as he is inside it, and it’s no surprise that Warren beat off competition from a host of other promoters in signing the Wavertree KO king.
Bellew said: “I took my time and spoke to everyone, but Frank made me the best offer and, let’s face it, he’s the best in the business.
“I am going to box as a light-heavyweight and, believe me, there are already a few lads out there at the top of the British ratings that are going to get knocked out.
“As an amateur at heavyweight I was never stopped, never put on the floor. So imagine what I’ll be doing at 175lbs.”
Bellew confessed his dreams of going to Beijing had soured since the turn of the year.
He says he’s lost all confidence in GB coach Edwards and his “concentration camps” and wants a fresh start with new goals.
The Rotunda club star revealed: “I’ve had enough of it all. I just couldn’t bear it anymore.
“I would have loved to stick around until the Olympics but I was losing my mind. I have been depressed for three months.
“I even started to hate boxing and boxing people. I had to get out, make a fresh start.”
The GB squad has been meeting up and training together on camps every week since the start of the year, but Bellew says it’s done anything but enhance performances.
“Everyone hates the camps and it’s really depressing at the start of the week when you are driving up there,” he added.
“All these sub-standard concentration camps aren’t doing anyone any good. With the exception of David Price every other member of the squad has gone backwards. Every time you go it’s the same boring programmes. Tedious training sessions five times a day.
“I learn more in one night at my own club than you do in a week at camp.
“It was my club coaches who got me into international class, like all the lads in the national squad. So why drag us away from home to work often with second-rate coaches?
“It makes no sense and now look what’s happening. A couple of lads have turned pro, while the rest of the elite squad can’t even make their weight class for competitions.”
A product of Liverpool City Council’s sports scholarship scheme, Bellew had some praise for the people who have helped him to get where he is today.
“I have to say a big thank you to Dave Mcilhiney from the city council who has been brilliant for me and so many other Liverpool boxers. He’s a real unsung hero.
“Also, my club coaches Mick McAllister and ‘The Duke’ John Doolan. Without these two I would never have achieved one slice of my success.”
However, hot-property Bellew has decided to train outside the city in chasing his new professional dream.
He is already working with Manchester’s former world champion Anthony Farnell, and is delighted with how things are developing so far.
He said: “There are plenty good trainers in Liverpool, but it’s a small pond with big fish so I decided to get my business done away from home.
Farnell is already a brilliant trainer and things are really working out for me there. I’ve already dropped eight pounds in just three weeks.”
And Bellew, who takes a 40 wins and 37 KO’s from 40 bouts record with him from the amateur code, added: “I just want to wish all the lads in the GB squad all the best. Hopefully, one or two of them will still bring medals back from Beijing.”
A new boxing Light Heavyweight prospect from Wavertree.:PDT_Aliboronz_24:
http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0200sport/0610boxing/tm_headline=%2Dbomber%2D-bellew-quits-amateur-scene-to-sign-up-with-warren%26method=full%26objectid=19398261%26page=2% 26siteid=50061-name_page.html
Just over 12 months before the Beijing Olympics, the 23-year-old triple ABA heavyweight champion has had enough of the amateur code.
In particular Bellew has had enough of senior Great Britain coach Terry Edwards and, like a growing number of our elite internationals, he is turning over now rather than later.
His decision was undoubtedly music to the ears of Sports Network boss Warren, who is building up a strong stable of talent on Merseyside – led by Derry Mathews and Paul Smith, just in time for next year’s launch of the new Liverpool ECHO Arena.
Big-punching, larger than life Bellew is made for the pro game.
He’s as entertaining out of the ring as he is inside it, and it’s no surprise that Warren beat off competition from a host of other promoters in signing the Wavertree KO king.
Bellew said: “I took my time and spoke to everyone, but Frank made me the best offer and, let’s face it, he’s the best in the business.
“I am going to box as a light-heavyweight and, believe me, there are already a few lads out there at the top of the British ratings that are going to get knocked out.
“As an amateur at heavyweight I was never stopped, never put on the floor. So imagine what I’ll be doing at 175lbs.”
Bellew confessed his dreams of going to Beijing had soured since the turn of the year.
He says he’s lost all confidence in GB coach Edwards and his “concentration camps” and wants a fresh start with new goals.
The Rotunda club star revealed: “I’ve had enough of it all. I just couldn’t bear it anymore.
“I would have loved to stick around until the Olympics but I was losing my mind. I have been depressed for three months.
“I even started to hate boxing and boxing people. I had to get out, make a fresh start.”
The GB squad has been meeting up and training together on camps every week since the start of the year, but Bellew says it’s done anything but enhance performances.
“Everyone hates the camps and it’s really depressing at the start of the week when you are driving up there,” he added.
“All these sub-standard concentration camps aren’t doing anyone any good. With the exception of David Price every other member of the squad has gone backwards. Every time you go it’s the same boring programmes. Tedious training sessions five times a day.
“I learn more in one night at my own club than you do in a week at camp.
“It was my club coaches who got me into international class, like all the lads in the national squad. So why drag us away from home to work often with second-rate coaches?
“It makes no sense and now look what’s happening. A couple of lads have turned pro, while the rest of the elite squad can’t even make their weight class for competitions.”
A product of Liverpool City Council’s sports scholarship scheme, Bellew had some praise for the people who have helped him to get where he is today.
“I have to say a big thank you to Dave Mcilhiney from the city council who has been brilliant for me and so many other Liverpool boxers. He’s a real unsung hero.
“Also, my club coaches Mick McAllister and ‘The Duke’ John Doolan. Without these two I would never have achieved one slice of my success.”
However, hot-property Bellew has decided to train outside the city in chasing his new professional dream.
He is already working with Manchester’s former world champion Anthony Farnell, and is delighted with how things are developing so far.
He said: “There are plenty good trainers in Liverpool, but it’s a small pond with big fish so I decided to get my business done away from home.
Farnell is already a brilliant trainer and things are really working out for me there. I’ve already dropped eight pounds in just three weeks.”
And Bellew, who takes a 40 wins and 37 KO’s from 40 bouts record with him from the amateur code, added: “I just want to wish all the lads in the GB squad all the best. Hopefully, one or two of them will still bring medals back from Beijing.”
A new boxing Light Heavyweight prospect from Wavertree.:PDT_Aliboronz_24:
http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0200sport/0610boxing/tm_headline=%2Dbomber%2D-bellew-quits-amateur-scene-to-sign-up-with-warren%26method=full%26objectid=19398261%26page=2% 26siteid=50061-name_page.html