Wednesday 15 February 2017 16:24, UK
Tony Bellew has dismissed David Haye's claim that he would expose his "leaky defence" with just one punch and has again laid down a challenge to the Londoner.
WBC cruiserweight champion Bellew hurtled towards Haye moments after defending his belt against BJ Flores on Saturday night, insisting he wants to settle a score with the former heavyweight title-holder.
Haye was quick to respond by saying it would be "an easy night's work" if Bellew stepped up to heavyweight to fight him, but Bellew insists he will enjoy "punching Haye in the face" if the showdown can be arranged by his promoter Eddie Hearn.
The Liverpudlian also mocked the two opponents Haye has faced since making his comeback this year - Mark de Mori and Arnold Gjergjaj - and insisted he would have no problem stepping up to heavyweight for the fight.
Bellew told Sky Sports News HQ on Sunday morning: "The last two guys he has fought are a joke. One was called 'The Cobra', he should have been called 'The Worm', and the other fella was an internet-trained boxer.
"Come and fight a real world champion. I am the best cruiserweight in the world and let's be totally honest here, David Haye isn't a genuine, legitimate heavyweight. He's originally a cruiserweight, he once had this belt and now I'm saying I'm the best cruiserweight in the world.
"If you don't want to come back to your old weight no problem - you might be scared to come back down to your old weight - but I'll happily step up. I enjoy my food and I will enjoy punching him in the face.
"Going up is not an issue. I have a good team around me, we will make the sacrifices and the things that need to be done, will be done. Eddie will come up with that and help deal with it. But it's not an issue."
Bellew insists he will not wait around for Haye to agree to the fight as he has other options available and is also keen to unify the cruiserweight titles.
"I'm about big fights, mega-fights, and if it's not him it's got to be a unification fight, it's as simple as that," he said.
"I'm not waiting around for David Haye, He is not the be-all and end-all of my career. I am the best cruiserweight in the world. I am the WBC cruiserweight champion. He is just a man who goes round talking about fights and then fights absolute clowns and does nothing in the meantime.
"We all know the name I've given from Bermondsey and we will see. I am happy to do it whenever he is ready, it doesn't bother me whatsoever, but he has to commit to something because right now he's committing to nothing.
"I'm told he has just cancelled the Millennium Stadium. Listen you couldn't fill the O2 so you have no hope in this world of filling the Millennium. You need a dance partner and the dance partner is right here waiting to punch you in the face."
