Wednesday 1 June 2016 11:42, UK
Trainer Dave Coldwell has reflected on the "proudest night" of his career and insists Tony Bellew has the power to stop anyone.
Bellew (27-2-1-KO17) produced an extraordinary world title victory on Sunday night, climbing up from a first-round knockdown to knock out Ilunga Makabu in the third and claim the WBC world cruiserweight crown.
The Liverpudlian's post-fight interview has sparked a back-and-forth with former divisional kingpin David Haye but Coldwell, who worked with Haye before he moved up to heavyweight, has warned that the left hook that felled Makabu is a weapon capable of hurting anyone.
Coldwell told Sky Sports: "We said all along that the right hands and the delayed left hooks on the pads were absolutely phenomenal. When he loops his left hook, it's not as great but when he comes across himself with it, I believe he can knock out absolutely anybody.
I've been close to Tony for almost a decade now and I know what it means for him to win that. It's special.
"I wanted Tony to have the attitude of an assassin rather than a lunatic because Makabu is a bit of a character and says things. When they touched gloves, he said something about the talking being over and I told Tony to ignore it and not to fight with rage.
"Tony is a fighter and I don't mind him engaging because he's a big puncher but a lot of times in the past when he wants to go he lifts his chin up, all his weight comes off his back foot and he throws himself at his punches. With someone like Makabu, you're going to be open for counters.
"I've been close to Tony for almost a decade now and I know what it means for him to win that. It's special. When I walked out in that crowd, I've never experienced anything like it."
Less than three years ago, Coldwell was focusing on promotion and management but now finds himself training a world cruiserweight champion in Bellew, world bantamweight champion Jamie McDonnell, his super-bantamweight twin Gavin and returning heavyweight David Price.
"I work with a great bunch of lads," he added. "They've trusted me with their careers and they give me the time and do what I ask them to do. We work so hard together in that gym. It's nice to see people that are good lads, appreciative people doing well.
"I only came back to coaching boxing because Tony Bellew asked me to after the Adonis Stevenson fight. I'd jacked in training fighters and was happy managing and promoting.
"I was quite happy not staying up until 3am watching opponents' videos but then Bellew asked me to come back and coach him and it was all about winning the world title at cruiserweight.
"I've had success with Jamie and Gavin McDonnell but I only got them because Tony asked me to come back to boxing. I've only got David Price because Tony asked me to come back to boxing too, so for him to win the world title, that was the whole point.
"It feels like mission complete."
