Tony Bellew lifts lid on talks to come out of retirement for world title clash

Tony Bellew admits he has been ‘toying with the idea’ of a comeback fight for a version of the bridgerweight world title.

The 41-year-old hasn’t fought since losing to Oleksandr Usyk in 2018, but claims he has held discussions with the division’s WBC champion Lukasz Rozanski about a possible fight although that now seems to have fallen by the wayside.

Since stepping away from the sport a new bridgerweight division (224lb weight limit) has been launched with the WBC and WBA both creating world titles for the category.

Evgeny Tishchenko defeated Leon Harth in December to become the inaugural WBA bridgerweight champion while Rozanski won the vacant WBC belt in April of last year by blasting out fan favourite Alen Babic in a round.

Rozanski hasn’t fought since but, for a time, looked destined to defend his title against Bellew.

“I kind of agreed it, but it doesn’t look like it’s going to happen,” Bellew told Boxing Scene of a potential dust-up with Rozanski.

“It could have happened, but now I’m not too sure. I was toying with the idea of coming back for one night, just for him [Rozanski], but it looks like it’s dead in the water.

“It was just one night and maybe going out on my own terms. That was all it was about.”

Bellew retired from boxing five years ago after that ill-fated night against Usyk.

The Liverpudlian has regularly teased the idea of returning to the ring to re-write the end of his boxing story but as of yet, nothing has come to fruition.

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Last year, he publicly called for a fight with Rozanski over X, formerly Twitter, writing: “I think you’re in need of a fight that goes past four rounds @RozanskiBoxi.

“I’m bored and don’t see anything that suggests you can do it against me! What you think?”

Rozanski replied: “Why not? I’m waiting for a good offer! Are you sure you can last it?”

However, a date with the Polish puncher now seems dead in the water.

During an 11-year stint in the paid ranks, Bellew boxed from light-heavyweight to heavyweight.

His best days were spent at cruiserweight where he won the WBC 200lb strap from Ilunga Makabu.