Wednesday 20 April 2016 15:10, UK
Tony Bellew will need all the strength home support can provide when he faces Ilunga Makabu, claim the Congolese's team.
Bellew (26-2-1-KO16) faces Makabu (19-1-KO18) for the vacant WBC world cruiserweight title and, with Goodison Park all but confirmed as the venue for the May 29 clash, Makabu's manager is relishing the prospect of a hostile atmosphere.
Tarik Saadi told World Boxing News: "Tony Bellew has his wish of fighting at Goodison Park on May 29 and this is good for us - no problem. We would have faced Bellew anywhere, everywhere and at any time, so may the best fighter win.
Tell all the fans of Bellew that is it necessary to come in very, very big numbers because he will need it on the 29th of May.
"One thing I would like to do is to tell all the fans of Bellew that is it necessary to come in very, very big numbers because he will need it on the 29th of May.
"We know what we possess for this fight and we know that Makabu will be walking away from the venue as the WBC cruiserweight champion of the world. We have no doubts of this," he added.
Makabu, who was born in Congo but resides in Johannesburg, South Africa, will be making his UK debut having previously fought in the Rainbow Nation, Monaco and Luxembourg.
Everton fan Bellew vacated the European title he won by defeating Mateusz Masternak in December in order to take a first shot at world cruiserweight gold. The 33-year-old was beaten in two attempts at light-heavyweight by Nathan Cleverly and Adonis Stevenson.
