Bellew's world title shot set for purse bids

Bellew claimed the mandatory challenger position by defeating Isaac Chilemba in a final eliminator at the O2 Arena on May 25, while Stevenson stunned former champ Chad Dawson with a first round KO to win the belt in his native Canada on June 8.

Stevenson has requested an interim bout against former IBF champ Tavoris Cloud in September but the WBC will only grant this if all parties are contracted to the Tony Bellew fight which must happen within 90 days of their bout.

This means that Stevenson-Cloud will only go ahead if both boxers promise in writing to take on Bellew before the end of 2013, if they emerge from September as the title-holder.

The 30-year-old Bellew from Liverpool has a professional record of 20-1-1 (12 KOs), with his only defeat coming in his only previous world title opportunity - a 2011 majority decision reverse against Nathan Cleverly for the Welshman's WBO strap.