TONY Bellew is a beloved British former world champion boxer who even appeared in a Hollywood blockbuster alongside Sylvester Stallone.
The Bomber took on some of the toughest fighters in the game during his glittering career — but how will he fare in the 2023 I’m A Celebrity jungle?
Who is Tony Bellew?
Tony Bellew is a 40-year-old retired professional boxer from Liverpool and former WBC world cruiserweight champion.
Since walking away from the ring as a fighter, Bellew has regularly worked as an analyst and commentator for DAZN, The Zone, TalkSPORT and other outlets.
Now he is one of the latest campmates to be revealed in the I’m A Celebrity 2023 cast.
This won’t be Tony’s first reality TVventure — last year he endured Channel 4‘s Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins.
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What is Tony Bellew’s boxing record and how many titles has he won?
Bellew enjoyed a decorated amateur career, winning the ABA heavyweight title three times, finishing with a record of 40 wins and seven defeats before turning professional in 2007.
Bellew became Commonwealth light-heavyweight champion in 2010, but failed in two attempts to win the world title at that weight against Nathan Cleverley and Adonis Stevenson.
He finally became a world champion in 2016 after stepping up to his more natural division of cruiserweight, when he stopped Congolese opponent Ilunga Makabu.
In 2018, the pro officially announced his retirement from the sport after a defeat against Oleksandr Usyk.
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In the post-fight press conference, Tony said: “It’s definitely over now, you won’t see me in a boxing ring again.
“I just want a normal life, I don’t want this pressure.
“I only created the name Tony Bellew to make my dad proud.
“I’ve never been Tony Bellew, I’ve always been Anthony.
“Everyone who truly knows me calls me Anthony.
“Tony Bellew died on Saturday, Anthony Bellew comes back alive.
“I want reality back.”
Taking his gloves off for good, Bellew held an impressive record of 30 wins from 34 professional bouts — he only lost on three occasions and drew once.
A well as his amateur titles and the WBC cruiserweight belt, the respected boxer earned himself an impressive collection of titles across his career.
In 2010 Bellew was crowned the Commonwealth light-heavyweight champion when he beat Ovill McKenzie by TKO.
The following year he claimed the vacant British light-heavyweight belt and defended his Commonwealth title against the same opponent.
Then in 2014 he knocked out Valery Brudov to win the WBO international cruiserweight championship.
Bellew was also awarded the European cruiserweight title in 2015 with a unanimous decision against Mateusz Masternak.
What was Tony Bellew’s ringwalk music?
Bellew is a proud fan of Everton Football Club.
He used to make the walk to the ring with their adopted song blasting out of the speakers.
Like the team, he entered the arena to the sound of the theme tune of the television programme Z-Cars — which was based on an old Liverpudlian folk song.
Which Hollywood film was Tony Bellew in?
Bellew gained popularity in America when he had a supporting role in the hit film Creed, a spin-off to the famous Rocky movies.
Sylvester Stallone starred in Creed as Rocky Balboa, who took Adonis Johnson — son of Rocky’s former foe then friend Apollo Creed — on as a protégé.
Bellew assumed the role of Ricky Conlan, defending world light-heavyweight champion, who locks horns with Stallone’s young fighter in a brutal match, which was filmed at Goodison Park.
Is Tony Bellew married and does he have children?
Bellew is married to Rachael Roberts.
The couple share three sons together: Corey, Cobey and Carter.
Tony and Rachael grew up together in nearby Merseyside neighbourhoods and met when they were just nine-years-old.
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Their romance was sparked years later when 18-year-old Tony met Rachael on a night out.
He was working as a nightclub bouncer at the time and became completely besotted, and despite Rachael rejecting him three times, she eventually realised he was the one for her.