• Light-heavyweight

Bellew demands Chilemba rematch

ESPN staff
March 31, 2013
Tony Bellew believed he thought he had done enough to win the fight © PA Photos
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After missing his chance to rubber-stamp a WBC light-heavyweight title showdown, Tony Bellew is desperate to take on Isaac Chilemba again following the pair's draw in their final eliminator on Saturday.

Bellew, backed by home support at the Echo Arena in Liverpool, felt he had done enough to get the better of Chilemba, but the judges decided no one was a clear winner and scored the bout as a draw.

Judge Christophe Fernandez scored the fight 116-112 in Chilemba's favour, with Eddie Pappoe feeling Bellew won by scoring the contest 116-115. Fabian Guggenheim was the judge who could not separate the pair and recorded the fight 114-114.

Bellew was adamant he had produced the goods to secure the victory, and by missing his chance to book a title showdown with champion Chad Dawson wants to fight Chilemba for a second time to rectify his errors.

"I want an immediate rematch, I'm willing to get right back in with him. I'd do it right now. I know there's mistakes that I made, but that rests on my shoulders - I made those mistakes and I know I could have done more," said the 30-year-old.

And on how the encounter went, Bellew believes he had more to give. "He had a good round, it gave him a bit of momentum and he really started to come into the fight. That's my fault," he said.

"You can't make excuses at this level and I could have done more. I didn't go through the gears in the way I should have done. I'm learning, but I'm learning at the highest level."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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