What position will boxing world champion Tony Bellew play in UNICEF’s Soccer Aid 2024 charity football match?

TONY Bellew is a British former world champion boxer who starred in a Hollywood blockbuster alongside Sylvester Stallone.

The Bomber is now taking on a new challenge by competing in Soccer Aid 2024 — here’s everything you need to know.

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Who is Tony Bellew?

Tony Bellew is a 41-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, TalkSPORT and other outlets.

He took part in I’m a Celeb 2023, ultimately finishing in second place behind Sam Thompson.

It wasn’t his first reality TV venture — in 2022 he endured Channel 4‘s Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins.

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.

He became Commonwealth light-heavyweight champion in 2010, but failed in two attempts to win the world title at that weight against Nathan Cleverly and Adonis Stevenson.

I just want a normal life, I don’t want this pressure

Tony Bellew

Bellew 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.

In the post-fight press conference, he 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 honours throughout 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.

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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.

Alamy

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.

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.

Why is Tony Bellew playing for World XI at Soccer Aid 2024?

The two teams competing in Soccer Aid are always England and World XI.

But the entry requirements for World XI are not particularly strict, meaning Englishman Bellew is allowed to represent the side — and he’s playing in goal.

He told GMB: “My son’s a goalkeeper at Everton and has been for three years.

“I just wanted to prove to him that I can do a tenth of what he can do, so I’m gonna be in goal.

“I’ll be okay, I can use my feet and I’m pretty good with my hands to say the least, so I’m sure I’ll be okay.”

Why Bellew isn’t playing for England hasn’t been reported.

ITV

How to watch Soccer Aid 2024

Soccer Aid takes place on Sunday, June 9, 2024.

Kick-off is scheduled for 7.30pm.

The match, which was held at Old Trafford in 2023, has moved to Chelsea‘s home, Stamford Bridge — the first time it has been held in SW6 since 2019, when the World XI won 3-1 on penalties after a 2-2 draw, sparking a five-game winning run for the visiting stars.

Soccer Aid will once again be shown for FREE live on ITV1 (England and Wales) and STV (Scotland).

It can also be streamed for FREE online with ITVX.

 

Unicef ambassador Dermot O’Leary and England and Arsenal legend Alex Scott will present the programme, with Sam Matterface on lead commentary and comedian Iain Sterling on co-comms.

If you would like to make a donation by text, you can donate £10, £20, £30 or £40 by texting TEN, TWENTY, THIRTY OR FORTY to 70818.

Texts cost the chosen donation amount, plus one standard rate message.

If you want to donate £5, you can do so online at the  and  websites, or by phoning 0330 123 4442 (standard geographical charges apply from landlines and mobiles, connection charges may also apply).

You must be 16 or over to donate.

Donations open on Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at midday. All donation routes close on Thursday, July 11, 2024 at midday.

England will also wear a special kit that replicates the Three Lions‘ outfit from Euro 96.