Tony Bellew aims to unify cruiserweight division after David Haye fight

By Michael Kelleher

Tony Bellew has promised David Haye he faces a 'war' when they fight on March 4

Tony Bellew admits he dreams of fighting for a heavyweight title but says he intends to return to cruiserweight first to unify the division, after fighting David Haye.

WBC cruiserweight champion Bellew (28-2-1-KO18) is stepping up to heavyweight for the first time in his career to take on bitter British rival Haye (28-2-KO26) on March 4, live on Sky Sports Box Office.

Earlier this week, Bellew claimed he could become "prince of the heavyweights" - with Anthony Joshua the king - by beating Haye but he says he has unfinished business at cruiserweight first.

"It would be a dream to fight for a heavyweight title although I will say this; I am here basically just to gate-crash the party. This is a quick stop. It's not the long-term goal or move," Bellew told Sky Sports News HQ.

"I am the best cruiserweight in the world, I am the WBC cruiserweight world champion and I am going to remain that before and after the fight.

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"My long-term goal is to unify the cruiserweight division. When there are no solid cruiserweights left I will then make a quick stop at the heavyweight division again."

Bellew and Haye have been waging a war of words for months and their bitter rivalry boiled over at the press conference to announce their fight.

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Watch as David Haye aims a punch at Tony Bellew after their explosive press conference

Haye appeared to throw a punch at Bellew after the pair went head to head and the Liverpool native has vowed to gain revenge for what he has labelled a "cheap shot".  

Bellew explained: "By the law of the land you are allowed to remove someone from your personal space and he got too close - he was just a millimetre away from kissing me. I reminded him it was not that kind of party and I pushed him away from me.

"At that time he swung a left hook punch and kind of broke the rules that we have among ourselves in the fight fraternity. Fighters do not hit each other without gloves on and he is a coward for doing it.

Image: Tale of the Tape - David Haye v Tony Bellew

"It was a cheap shot, a dirty move on his part and it just shows the kind of man that he is by swinging that punch. All I did was push him away from me and for him to swing a left hook was wrong.

"But come March 4, when the bell goes, it's just me and him - none of his security guards and none of his false brigade that surround him.

"He is not good for boxing. He is bad for boxing. He is a disgrace the way he carries on with his antics. He is a coward and I am going to deal with him on March 4."

You can watch Haye v Bellew, from The O2, London, live on Sky Sports Box Office on March 4.

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