Blue Kipper was given exclusive access to the renowned Rotunda ABC to catch up with the undefeated British and Commonwealth champion, Tony 'Bomber' Bellew. The life-long Evertonian is fighting WBO light heavyweight world champion Nathan Cleverly on the banks of the Mersey at the Echo Arena on 15th October 2011. Thanks for the interview Tony! Good luck from all at Blue Kipper.
1. Why Everton?
My Dad was a kopite and you know, you always want to go against your Dad. I was cheeky as a kid. I always wanted to push it to the limit. My eldest brother was a blue and I followed in his footsteps. He took me to Goodison Park. The minute I stepped foot into the Gwladys Street. That was it. I loved the place. I just knew it was the place to be. I must have been 7 or 8. I can't remember the game, but Peter Beardsley was playing. I just couldn't wait to go back there again.
2. Who was your Everton Hero as a kid?
Neville Southall. I was fat as a kid and I played in goal for the first few years I was watching football and I always looked up to the binman. After him, as everyone says it was Big Dunc. I idolised him. He was my hero. When I had my season ticket for five years in the Gwladys, I used to love Olivier Dacourt. I know he didn't stay long, but watching him the season he was there was just great. I just loved the way he'd just go through anyone. He'd get booked in nearly every game. It was mad how many games he missed, but I did love him. Then Shaggy, Watson, there's loads I idolised them all. When we had the two winger Anders Limpar and Andri Kanchelskis playing for us. They were good times. We'd get a few hidings and we were in some dog fights, but we knew with them in your side, we'd get something exciting to watch. Or they'd get a goal. Bring the wingers back. I say.
3. What about the games that stand out for you?
The Leeds game when we drew four all. I know its not a good game for us, but a game that sticks in my mind was when Norwich beat us 5-1 and Efan Ekoku scored four in the second half. I just remember the goals going in one by one and thinking you twat. Why don't you fuck off back home. I love the derbies. I love going to Anfield and getting something out of the game. I don't care if its a draw. I just love scoring at Anfield and going nuts. I've done more damage at Anfield than I have in some fights. Also the Wimbledon game sticks out in my mind. I said to the players when I walked out with my belt onto the pitch. This is the third time I've been on the pitch, but today is the first time legitimately. The first time I ran passed the steward and it was raining and the grass was soaking wet and I skidded like a bowling ball and took a load of fans out. Our kid was behind me laughing his head off. I took a big piece of turf. It was one of the best days ever. Then there was the Coventry game when I was in the Gwladys Street and the ball came to Gareth Farrelly and I said: "Don't you fuckin shoot." All season I'd been saying 'he's shite'. Then he hit it and I just couldn't believe it. It was a great feeling. They are great days. I know kopites go on about 'your great days are about survival', but you've got to go through it to realise the buzz you got from staying where we were. Singing 'We Shall Not Be Moved' until your throat was killing you and I couldn't speak the next day. Those were boss days mate.
4. With Your Boxing Career, how do you manage to get to the games?
Oh yes I've still got a season ticket. I had to give my Gwladys Street season ticket up, because I was going away all the time with the boxing. So when I became professional I went in the lounges for a couple of seasons. I was getting up and shouting 'you cunt' at the referees, and Bill Kenwright's Missus was turning around and looking at me. I just thought I've got to get out of here. So I'm now in the top balcony. It was the only place in the ground that I'd never seen a game from. So I went up to see the view and thought this a god spec and there's no nutters up there. Only me.
5. You do some training at Finch Farm. How did that come about?
I'd been down to Finch Farm to do a photo shoot for the national papers with Tim Cahill and I got speaking to Dave Billows and I always stayed in touch with him after. Then I lost my strength and conditioner about six months later. I contacted Dave and said 'have you got any ideas of what I should be doing and when I should be doing it?' stuff like that and he said 'I tell you what, I'll train you' and it's been two and a half years now and it's been the best decision I've ever made. To be involved with someone who is such a high class athlete. Dave Billows is like a twenty five year old man, he's in better condition than 90% of boxers. I do everything based around non-boxing work with Dave Billows and I'd be lost without him to be honest. He's been a vital part of my team and so have Everton Football Club to be fair. The gaffer gives his go ahead and I can't thank him enough, I'm so thankful to him.
6. So whats it like with the players at Finch Farm?
I go in the changing room and the banter they have is great. I think the banter I have with my mates is vicious and a bit rowdy at times, but these just tear the back out of each other. I go in and keep my head down before they start drawing me in. They are like family. There are no cliques at Everton. They are tight knit and support each other. There is little Ross coming through now, who I've known for a few years. He lives in the same area as my mum. Where I was brought up. They've brought them in to the group. The same with Seamus Coleman. You can see the banter they have on twitter. I go in and get my stuff on and say What's happening Nev? and we have a chat. They have supported me. They come to my fights when they don't have to. They come to watch me after a day's training. It's great. I go to watch them regardless. I've been an Evertonian since I was a kid. Tim Cahill is gutted when he misses the boxing, because he is on International duty. Sylvain Distin and Tim Howard have a chat on the phone. I appreciate the help and support I get from the players. I'm forever grateful, but I don't like to get into the banter, as I don't think I would take it from them.
7. Who Out Of The Current Players Would Make It As A Boxer?
Sylvain Distin is the best all round athlete I've ever seen. Without a shadow of doubt. I've taught him how to half turn over a punch, but I don't want him to do it in case he hurts his hand. Tim Howard is another great athlete. Tim Cahill would be good. The best boxer would be Tony Hibbert. He can actually box. He has his own gloves in his locker. He has all the moves. He moves his head. He bangs the body. He can box. He's the most advanced. Sylvain Distin has the attributes to win a British title. If I could train him for twelve months, he would fly.
8. What do you think about twitter?
Yes I love it. You get some knob 'eds, but most of the time the fans want to ask some interesting questions. The positives far outweigh the negatives. I love the banter between the Everton players.
9. Hopes for the season?
I think we'll finish top half. I've heard so much criticism of the team over the last few months. Everyone was raving about Liverpool finishing well last season. We did just as good. If you take the way we finished last season. I still think the the gaffer has got what it takes. I'm optimistic we'll do well. I think Royston Drenthe is a good player. He's good on Fifi so he should be good. He's fucking lightening on that. I'm hoping he comes good. I'm hoping all the new signings and the young kids come in and gel together.
10. Everton or Boxing?
Do you know what. It doesn't even close. I say it every time I go training, I'd swap my legs for their legs any day. If I had the choice to play for Everton or be a professional boxer I would choose Everton every day of the week. You have no idea about the pain that's involved in boxing. My thumb is like a golf ball. Every Time I punch my hand hurts. I get injuries all the time. Footballers get injuries, but they don't get punched in the face. They don't have to go through the daily struggle I have to. Getting up at half past five, dieting for weeks on end. I'd choose Everton. Not because it's easier, because I'd love to be a footballer. Every day I wake up I look down and the same legs are in the bed. I'd love to wake up one day and see Tim Cahill's legs down there. A football would be the life. At Everton. I remember going to Finch Farm for the first time and all the kit was there laid out. The players were walking in and I said where's your kit bag. They'd say: 'Kit bag? We don't need a kit bag.' and after training. They go upstairs to a cafeteria they're waited on hand and foot with the best food, steak, fish. I said this is boss. I'll move in here. I'll put a bed in the changies and stay. It's so advanced and they are looked after so well. They've got no idea how mollycoddled they are and how well looked after they are.
I've been to a few Premier League clubs, but Everton is top quality. They got it boxed off to a T. Tim Cahill has got a chart next to his locker that tells him what vitamins to take and when. It's got little pouches on it with the vitamins in. I said you fuckin lazy cunt. He's got one at home as well. So when he comes in of a morning, he goes upstairs and has his breakfast and then comes down to his locker and his vitamins are laid out for him. I have to go through all sorts of boxes to get the right one. You wouldn't believe it. But that's football now. Imagine how good Peter Reid would be if he had all that. So I'd choose being a footballer any day of the week.
A footballer at Everton is the best job in the world.
Tickets for the fight are priced at £40, £50, £100, £150 and £250 and are still available from: Liverpool Echo Arena. Box Office: 0844 8000 400 www.echoarena.com
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