Tony Bellew set to defend title against B.J. Flores, Oct. 15

WBC cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew (27-2-1, 17 KOs) will be making his first title defense against B.J. Flores (32-2-1, 20 KOs) on October 15th at the Echo Arena in Liverpool, England. Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn officially made the announcement yesterday as captured by ESPN.

“Tony has done the city proud and I’m delighted to bring world championship boxing back to Liverpool,” Hearn said. “We are planning a huge card for Oct. 15. There is no love lost between Tony and Flores, and fans can expect fireworks in and out of the ring.”

Bellew, 33, won his first world title in vacant title fight against Ilunga Makabu this past May via third-round knockout, after he himself was dropped in the opening frame. And now Bellew will defend the title against a man who he’s looking to inflict some real damage on.

“I am going to smash B.J. Flores to bits and be the first man stop him,” Bellew said. “All he keeps saying is that I am a light heavyweight, I am this, I am that, so we will soon find out. He’s been mouthing off and following me around for a couple of years and I’m just a little bit fed up with him now. That’s the best way to look at it.”

Flores, 37, will be getting the first crack at a full world title after losing to Beibut Shumenov for an interim title last summer. Flores did, however, manage to get back into the win column after beating Roberto Santos via unanimous decision this past May. Flores is currently working as an NBC boxing analyst for the Rio Olympics and will kick-off training camp upon it’s conclusion.