Wednesday 10 May 2017 06:13, UK
Tony Bellew believes he could tame Deontay Wilder's "no fear" approach using his superior in-ring intelligence.
WBC cruiserweight champion Bellew could be in line for a world heavyweight title shot after stepping up a division to defeat David Haye, and unbeaten title-holder Wilder has emerged as a target.
[Deontay Wilder] has no fear of taking a punch - he's not like the heavyweights of today, who are all scared to get hit.
"He has no fear of taking a punch - he's not like the heavyweights of today, who are all scared to get hit," Bellew exclusively told Sky Sports about WBC champion Wilder.
"I've got massive respect for the way he fights, which is very similar to Anthony Joshua but technically not on the same level.
"Wilder is exactly what it says on the tin - he is wild. He is very powerful, very dangerous and very fast.
"However, he makes numerous mistakes and is wide open to anyone with a boxing brain. I have a better boxing IQ than Wilder has ever had. I'm a student of the game.
"But I'm under no illusions that if his right hand hits me on the button then I'll wake up in Neverland."
Bellew and Wilder became embroiled in an altercation in the build-up to Joshua vs Wladimir Klitschko before sharing punditry duties at Wembley Stadium, where they expressed interest in organising a fight.
Wilder's promoter Lou DiBella exclusively told Sky Sports: "This is a fight that's US versus UK and a fight with Tony certainly might help that story line, right? I think it's certainly interesting. [Bellew's promoter] Eddie Hearn knows how to reach me."
Unbeaten WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker of New Zealand is another target for Bellew, who regards himself as "probably the second most valuable heavyweight in the world at the moment only after AJ".
Asked about challenging Parker, whose mandatory challenger is Hughie Fury, Bellew said: "The salt and pepper has to be on my side of the table. It has to be on my terms not on his.
"I've got so many options and I just don't know which one I'm going to pick yet."
Bellew has recently begun rehabilitating a broken hand sustained in March's 11th-round win over Haye.
