Tony Bellew’s championship status changed as uncertainty over next step continues

Tony Bellew's heavyweight adventure looks set to continue, which has forced the hand of the World Boxing Council.

Prior to Bellew's grudge match with David Haye, which coincided with the heavyweight debut of 'Bomber', Bellew had defended his WBC cruiserweight title by knocking out BJ Flores in his native Liverpool. Unsurprisingly, all it took was a victory over Haye, who remained a superstar name in boxing's heavyweight division, and Bellew was a new force to be reckoned with. Opportunities opened up in the form of potential world championship match-ups with the likes of Deontay Wilder and Joseph Parker, while there would be no lack of interest in seeing Bellew vs. Haye II, if and when the latter recovers from the Achilles injury which decided their first meeting. But while Bellew and his team consider the 34-year-old's next step, the WBC have made a decision on his championship status. Below is a statement from the WBC on their decision to make Bellew their "emeritus champion" while Marco Huck and Mairis Briedis will clash for the full WBC cruiserweight title in Dortmund on April 1.

"Tony Bellew has become a major attraction in the heavyweight division and is at this moment uncertain of his next steps following his life-changing victory.

"This scenario might keep him from defending his cruiserweight title in some time, reason for which the WBC Board of Governors unanimously voted to designate him as emeritus champion of the world, which grants him the right to fight for the cruiserweight championship at any given time with full support from the WBC while maintaining his rights as world champion. "The WBC hereby confirms that the fight between Mairis Briedis and Marco Huck will be for the WBC cruiserweight championship of the world and the winner will abide by the ruling of the WBC board regarding the mandatory defences."

What all of that essentially means is that Bellew is entitled to keep fighting at heavyweight and can return to an immediate title shot for the WBC cruiserweight strap whenever it takes his fancy.