By John Angus MacDonald

In the immediate aftermath of the draw between light heavyweight Tony Bellew and Isaac Chilemba on Saturday night, the “Bomber”, while proclaiming that he’d won the contest, announced: “Even [Chilemba’s trainer] Buddy McGirt, one of the most respected men in boxing, told me he thought I won.”

BoxingScene caught up with McGirt to discuss the bout and he was keen to refute Bellew’s claims.  “No,” he said.  “I thought we [Chilemba] won it, but I’m happy with the draw”

He added “Being that we’re in his [Bellew’s] home town I’m happy with the draw.  He came in to enemy territory with a hostile crowd and, hey, it’s not a loss — we’re still in position”

Bellew appeared to take the early rounds as Chilemba took time to settle, something which McGirt acknowledges

“He started off slow, he got caught up for a minute but after the fifth round he went out there and did what he had to do,” he said.

Speculation is rife surrounding a potential rematch between the pair and it’s something the veteran trainer welcomes: “Sure.  If they want to go again, bring it on”

Twitter: @jamacd2011