Eddie Hearn: 'Adonis Stevenson must fight Tony Bellew'

Promoter Eddie Hearn has dismissed the possibility of Tony Bellew missing out on a WBC light-heavyweight showdown with Adonis Stevenson.

Stevenson has been linked with potential bouts with Bernard Hopkins and Tavoris Cloud since his stunning first-round stoppage of Chad Dawson, but Hearn has insisted that the Canadian must defend his world title against Bellew.

Hearn told Sky Sports News: "We have received confirmation that Stevenson must fight Bellew next, and the negotiation period will be 28 days after which the fight will go to purse bids.

"We worked really hard to get to that mandatory position."

Bellew became mandatory challenger for the WBC title after he defeated Isaac Chilemba in May.