British cruiserweight Tony Bellew is to face Ilunga Makabu for the vacant WBC title, with the bout potentially taking place at Goodison Park.

The Everton supporter will take on the WBC's mandatory challenger on June 4 after being given a shot by promoter Eddie Hearn.

European champion Bellew is now hoping to draw in a big crowd on Merseyside for the summer bout, having previously fallen short in title fights at light-heavyweight against Nathan Cleverly and Adonis Stevenson.

"June 4 is in play," The Mirror quotes him as saying. "My dad spoke to Everton chairman Bill Kenwright because they go back a long way and they are champing at the bit. It's novelty and how big is it? I think it does 20,000. Does it do 30,000? Or 40,000? It could do. I don't know.

"It is a one-off. It wouldn't be just Bellew on the show, it would be Paul Smith, Callum Smith and hopefully if Stephen Smith wins the world title, he can defend there as well. It could be a massive-scale show. It's gone from a pipe dream to being on the verge of reality."

Bellew has claimed six victories on the bounce since moving up to the 200lbs weight category.