Bellew is planning title assault

Bellew won three ABA titles at heavyweight

Unbeaten Liverpool light-heavyweight Tony Bellew has targeted a move into championship class by the end of 2009.

Bellew, 26, faces Nigerian Michael Gbenga in his first six-round contest, in Belfast, on the undercard of Martin Rogan v Sam Sexton on Friday night.

"Anyone holding a belt is in trouble. I'm not going to call people out because I'm bigger and better than that," he told BBC Radio Merseyside.

"All I'll say is 'if you're holding a title, I want it'."

The former amateur star, who was a regular boxer for England, racked up eight wins in a row on turning professional.

He returns to the ring at the Odyssey Arena on Friday following almost five months out with a damaged left hand, which required surgery.

Bellew, who goes by the moniker 'the Bomber', says his hand has now fully recovered.

"In my last three fights I was fighting with one hand. The surgeon told me if I had carried on boxing without the surgery it would have ruined my career. It's done and I just can't wait to start punching again," he said.

Bellew was initially scheduled to face Nathan King in his maiden six-round contest. That fight has since fallen through and Bellew will now fight Gbenga.

Bellew believes King was scared to face him: "To be honest he just doesn't want to face me. Lets get things straight I'm a big light-heavyweight and he's a super-middleweight, I think he's seen sense.

"Onto a new opponent in Gbenga and this guy is the immovable object. He's never been stopped or on the floor.

I'm taking those titles home, every single one from central area to British to Commonwealth to European and then God-willing a world title too

Tony Bellew

"He's fought top names in Luis Garcia, a red-hot Cuban and Dean Francis - it's going to be a test," added Bellew.

Bellew is not looking past Gbenga but says he is confident of cleaning up the light-heavyweight division: "When I fight for a title, there's only going to be one winner and that's me.

"I'm taking those titles home, every single one from central area to British to Commonwealth to European and then God-willing a world title too."