The a backdrop littered with camera phones and ignited by strobe lights, Tony Bellew is in the arena and stands on top of the steps at the end of the tunnel.

Here comes that famous tine, Z-Cars rings out and this crowd are absolutely loving it. I can't emphaise enough, they are clapping along, singing along and their man has a huge smile on his face.

He asks his security team to slow the walk down, he wants to take this in. And why not?

Here comes Tony...

Ben Dirs
BBC Sport at Goodison Park

It is rocking and rolling at Goodison and Bellew is still nowhere to be seen. It's all gonna go off in a minute...  

The heavyweight champion of the world is game, the crowd are game, so where is the home fighter?

"And now making his entrance to the ring, the Liverpudlian, Tony 'Bomber' Bellew", says MC Michael Buffer.

The whistles, the cheers, the chants, this faithful await Z-Cars and Tony Bellew.

Image source, .

After a long training camp, a lot of media work and hype, it seems Tony Bellew is done with mind games and cliche.

"I'm not feeling good, my body's killing me," he told reporters this week.

"Boxers always come out with that cliche: 'I'm in the best shape of my life.' And I am in great shape. But I've had a really hard, testing camp, I've been getting punched and I'm in a lot of pain. I'll have to make the best of what I've got. But when I get in that ring, I'll be prepared to do whatever it takes to win."

I'll keep it simple. 

Just click play on this video below if you want a little Rocky-style content. It features the Bomber in training and some edgy rap music. You'll love it, I know I did.

"Liverpool, let's get this party starrtteeddd", cries hall of famer MC Michael Buffer.

He intros Ilunga Makabu who is going to walk out to some Puff Daddy - 'Coming home'. A strange choice but it's got a bit of vive about it and a decent beat. 

Here he comes, white sleeveless number with a black hood. No smile, business face, he's walked to the ring by an entourage.

He steps up on to the ring and raises one fist, little response from anyone.

James Scott: Bellew will be too powerful. KO in the third

Totum: As all the LFC fans have won I can genuinely wish an Evertonian well. Good luck Tony

Former Everton striker Duncan Ferguson: "What a fantastic night and atmosphere. Tony puts in a fantastic amount of work, we are all desperate for him to win tonight.

"I think we woudl have seen a few red cards if we played up front together..."

Time for some Neil Diamond 'Sweet Caroline' at Goodison and the strobe lights weave their way around these famous stands. The dim light somehow looks romantic on the masses of people. The camera phones are out and our MC is in the ring. You will know who he is...

Image source, Getty Images

When Tony Bellew saw Nathan Cleverly get his hand raised at Liverpool's Echo Arena in 2011, world title shot number one was a failure.

Two years later in Quebec it was attempt number two at world honours, this time the rough and tumble of Adonis Stevenson proved too much.

Bellew's days at light-heavyweight were over, two failures in this game is two too many.

And so began the brickwork. Build, build, build a career and position in the sport at a new weight class - cruiserweight. 

It has taken over two years and six fights - one earning some revenge over Cleverly - but finally it's world title shot number three.

There can be no more shortcomings. There can be no fourth time lucky.

Image source, .

Tony Bellew stands in his dressing room, blue Everton shirt on, blue gloves, blue towel, you get the jist.

What goes through the mind of an elite fighter now?

There have been failures for this man remember...

Image source, Getty Images

If you're just joining us we are running through some famous stadium fights in British boxing.

The night that defined Ireland's Barry McGuigan as a boxer arrived at the home of Queens Park Rangers - Loftus Road.

The west London venue was packed out as he proved too much for Eusebio Pedroza in 1985, taking the featherweight world title in style.

At the end of the 14th round Paddy Byrne, his cuts man, told him: “You have three minutes to beat the best featherweight champion this century. In three minutes you will be champion of the world.”  

He was.

The White Stripes 'Seven Nation Army' rings around Goodison Park. It's a right thumper of a tune.

I'm gonna fight 'em offA seven nation army couldn't hold me backThey're gonna rip it offTaking their time right behind my backAnd I'm talkin' to myself at nightBecause I can't forgetBack and forth through my mindBehind a cigarette  

Image source, Getty Images

These are stellar times for British boxing with a dozen men holding claims to a world title.

Ricky Burns, Lee Selby, Jamie McDonnell, Terry Flanagan, Lee Haskins, Anthony Crolla, Kell Brook, Liam Smith, Billy Joe Saunders, James DeGale, Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, we salute you.

Nightfall at Goodison Park. 

A sunny day, my guess is a bit of alcohol has been taken on board, perhaps even an afternoon barbecue and now it's fight time. Over to you Tony Bellew. British boxing is in wonderful shape, are you to be the next in a long line of champions?

Image source, Getty Images

Former super-middleweight world champion Carl Froch: Big day for my good friend Tony Bellew. Please all get behind him."

WBA lightweight champion Anthony Crolla: "Hope my mate Tony Bellew makes it another British world champ, the perfect setting for him at Goodison. #DreamBig #AndTheNew."

British super-middleweight Martin Murray: "Can't wait for the boxing in a bit. Perfect day weather wise. Come on Tony Bellew. Good luck to all the lads fighting on the show as well."

Image source, .

It would be easy for us to neglect the fact that while this is a judgement night of sorts for Tony Bellew, Ilunga Makabu has taken eight years to reach this lofty world-title level, so what must this mean to him?

His record of 19 wins from 20 fights is impressive and his only loss was on debut in 2008. 

He has never fought in the UK and while the opponents on his record are not stellar names, he's confident of not getting stage fright in front of 20,000 Liverpudlians.

"People expect me to be scared of the occasion as the stadium will be full of his people cheering him and booing me," said Makabu.

"Tony must not wait for his people to get behind him to start fighting - as once we are in there, no-one can help him."