Tony Bellew believes the showdown with Oleksandr Usyk is very likely to happen right now.

As BoxingScene.com previously reported, Bellew's promoter, Eddie Hearn of Matchroom, held two meetings in Paris with Usyk's promoter Alexander Krassyuk - and both meetings went very well.

Usyk (15-0, 11 KOs), regarded as one of the best fighters in the world, is an Olympic gold medal winner and currently holds every major world title in the cruiserweight division.

Last month, Usyk traveled to Moscow, Russia and dominated undefeated Murat Gassiev to unify the WBC, IBF, WBA, WBO world titles.

Also with the win, he won the World Boxing Super Series cruiserweight tournament.

Bellew held the WBC cruiserweight title, but dropped the belt for a move to heavyweight in March 2017 - where he scored back to back knockout victories over heated rival David Haye - with their rematch taking place back in May.

"The first meeting was good and it looks inevitable at this stage," Bellew exclusively told Sky Sports.

"Things can change though, you just don't know how it all lands. We'll see. We haven't agreed a venue yet and other things, but it's looking likely now.

"It is moving in the right direction. We've got to agree something and get it written down on paper and we'll take it from there. Eddie is happy, I am happy and there has been no major demands on my part, as I don't feel there needs to be. Without sounding like a big head I've done alright out of the game; financially, I've won a world title and I have done everything I could have possibly dreamed of - and a bit more. So now I am chasing greatness. I dare to be great, are the words I am going to use."

Bellew did have one warning - he says the fight with Usyk would have to happen in 2018.

"It has to be done this year, this year is my last year in the sport," Bellew said. "I won't be fighting in 2019, I'm done at the end of this year. I should've been done in March this year."