Tony Bellew expects test against Julio Cesar Dos Santos

British cruiserweight Tony Bellew believes that he will face a tough test against Brazilian Julio Cesar Dos Santos in Liverpool next month.

Bellew is hoping to secure a rematch with rival Nathan Cleverly with a victory over Dos Santos in front of his home supporters, but the Liverpudlian doesn't believe that he will have it all his own way against the hard-hitting South American.

The 31-year-old told IFL.TV: "I know that he's strong and durable. He's been in with the European champion, he's never been stopped.

"That's the kind of thing that people come to see because I stop people, so we'll see. He's a solid, proven, tested cruiserweight and that's all that I can ask for at this stage."

Bellew enters the bout with 21 wins from 24 encounters, while Dos Santos will arrive in England with 26 victories, 23 of which have come by knockout, from 28 professional matches.