'Bomber' Diaries

In his own words, Tony Bellew exclusively reveals to Chris Walker what life has been like in camp as he attempts to become an undisputed world champion.

- Chris Walker

OCTOBER 6, CHICAGO, IL

I’VE been here about 11 days now, getting in some great work. Gav McDonnell has got his big fight tonight against Daniel Roman for the world title, and the whole gym is here to support him, as well as working on the fights that we’ve got coming up. America is a whole new world for me now. I can remember coming over here preparing for Roberto Bolonti and there wasn’t a person who had any idea who I was. In the gyms of New York, like Gleason’s and the one in Coney Island, you turn up as a stranger from England and you’ve instantly got to prove yourself against local guys with big reputations, like Marcus Browne and Joe Smith Jnr, with the whole gym watching on. I’m a bit more popular these days, so every gym I walk into over here, everyone is well aware of who I am. The sparring for this trip has been left to the gaffer [Dave Coldwell], and we’ve had to bring guys in rather than just turning up in gyms and seeing who was available. Things aren’t like they used to be and I do miss that bit of turning up somewhere and having to prove yourself, but I’m at a whole new level now so no chances can be taken. I’m happy with the sparring I’ve done here.”

OCTOBER 13, LIVERPOOL