Tony Bellew vs. Ilunga Makabu: Fight Time, Date, Livestream and TV Info

After starring in the film Creed, Tony Bellew now gets the chance to script his own Hollywood storyline against Ilunga Makabu on Sunday in Liverpool, England.

Bellew's bid to become a world champion at the third attempt takes place at Goodison Park, the home of his beloved Everton and a venue used during his acting debut for the latest episode in the Rocky franchise.

Now the local lad gets the chance to be the hero on home soil in real life. There'll be cameras present again and no doubt plenty of action.

Makabu has the potential to be a party pooper in a battle to claim the vacant WBC cruiserweight title.

Also on the same card, siblings Callum, Paul and Stephen Smith are all in action. Heavyweight David Price also makes a welcome return to the ring, as he fights for the first time since July 2015.

When: Sunday, May 29, at 10 p.m. BST (5 p.m. ET)

Where: Goodison Park, Liverpool, England

TV: Sky Sports (UK)

Livestream: Sky Go (UK)

Life Imitating Art

Dave Thompson/Getty Images

For Bellew (26-2-1, 16 KOs), it is now or never.

The Bomber has been British, Commonwealth and European champion during a career that previously saw him campaigning light heavyweight before moving up to cruiser.

A world title, however, has so far eluded him. He narrowly lost out to bitter rival Nathan Cleverly in a British battle for the WBO light heavyweight belt back in October 2011.

While he avenged that loss to Welshman Cleverly just over three years later, there was nothing riding on the grudge match except personal pride.

The rematch took place at cruiserweight, Bellew having stepped up after suffering a TKO loss against WBC light heavyweight champion Adonis Stevenson in November 2013.

Now, at the age of 33, the likable Liverpudlian hopes to make it third time lucky at the highest level.

While acting in Creed was fun, Bellew is now back to the day job. He is on the brink of making a childhood dream a reality, as he told Isaac Robinson of SkySports.com:

"

It's been a long process and it's time to fight now. There isn't much left to say. He told me it's not a movie and believe you me, I know it's not a movie. The places I'm willing to go.

Real blood, real sweat and real tears get shed in real life. I just can't wait. You dream about something your whole life. From the age of 14 or 15, I wanted to be a world champion. My lifetime's work goes in to those 36 minutes on Sunday.

"

Bellew played "Pretty" Ricky Conlan in Creed. His character was a brash, football-loving fighter who was a world champion at light heavyweight. 

It's time to find out if life can imitate art. Whatever the outcome, expect tears to be shed during the final scene.

Fight the Power

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

On May 26, 1989, Arsenal midfielder Michael Thomas scored a dramatic last-minute goal to break Liverpool's hearts at Anfield in a winner-takes-all showdown for the old First Division title.

On Sunday, Makabu (19-1, 18 KOs) has the chance to do the boxing equivalent, albeit at nearby Goodison Park.

There's enough in the southpaw's record to suggest Bellew—a lifelong fan of Everton, or the Toffees, as they are known—could come unstuck.

Makabu has quickly developed a reputation as a heavy hitter, particularly with his left hand.

He lost in Round 1 of his professional debut, but since then, he has reeled off 18 wins on the spin. Dmytro Kucher is the only opponent to hear the final bell—all the rest have been stopped inside the distance.

Against Bellew, though, he also has to deal with the occasion. 

Per Chris McKenna of the Daily Star, the visiting fighter is confident he can cope in what is likely to be a raucous atmosphere at a stadium used to hosting football games:

"

Tony can have a dream about fighting in this stadium because he is a fan of the club and because he was in the movie, but this is my time.

I am also living a dream and God has promised me that this is my time. This is going to my dream and my time. He must wait for a different dream another time.

I'm not worried about coming here. Tony is a boxer like me. I just come to box. He has nothing special for me.

"

As can be seen in Matchroom Boxing's tweet, Makabu is comfortably the smaller of the two:

However, a 90 per cent knockout ratio suggests Makabu eventually catches up with everyone he faces.

He is a seriously dangerous foe for Bellew, one who could ruin a seemingly perfect night with a solitary punch at any time.

Prediction

Everything is set up for Bellew to have his career-defining victory. He is fighting for a vacant title in his own backyard. Better yet, on the soil where Everton play. 

Yet the home favourite is actually the underdog. Per Odds Shark, he is priced at 7-5 for victory.

Because Makabu hits so hard his gloves should have a health warning stamped across the knuckles, expect Bellew to try and win the contest from long range.

His best chance of success looks to be via the scorecards, working predominantly behind his jab. If, however, the bout ends inside the distance, Makabu will be the one celebrating.

Bleacher Report will have a live blog covering the fights on Sunday. Join us from 7:30 p.m. BST (2:30 p.m. ET) for updates on the action.