Bellew vs Chilemba set for March 30; Crolla vs Mathews rematch, Thomas Stalker debut on undercard

Tony Bellew will face Isaac Chilemba on March 30 in Liverpool in a WBC eliminator, with the winner to receive a shot at the sanctioning body's light heavyweight title, currently held by Chad Dawson.

Bellew (19-1, 12 KO) has won three straight fights since a narrow loss to Nathan Cleverly in October 2011. In 2012, he beat Danny McIntosh (TKO-5), Edison Miranda (TKO-9), and Roberto Bolonti (UD-12), dominating all three bouts.

Chilemba (20-1-1, 9 KO) should be a tougher task. The 25-year-old "Golden Boy," originally from Malawi and now living in South Africa, has worked himself into contention, as has Bellew, flying a bit under the radar. In 2012 he also beat Miranda, and defeated Rayco Saunders in September.

Bellew, 30, will have home field advantage, but he'll have to fight as well as he ever has to get the win in this one. It's an evenly-matched eliminator and a solid matchup on paper.

On the undercard, Anthony Crolla (25-4, 9 KO) and Derry Mathews (32-8-1, 17 KO) will meet in a rematch of their terrific April 2012 fight, which Mathews won via TKO-6. Both fighters always bring it, so this fight should again make for action. Super middleweight prospect Rocky Fielding (12-0, 6 KO) will also be in action, facing Wayne Reed (10-5, 5 KO). Callum Smith and Scott Cardle are set for the bill as well, as is Great Britain's 2012 Olympic captain, Thomas Stalker, who will make his pro debut.