Mairis Briedis To Tony Bellew: I'm Next in Line, Not David Haye!

By Edward Chaykovsky

Dangerous cruiserweight contender Mairis Briedis (20-0, 17KOs) could care less about Tony Bellew's desire to get in the ring with former two-division world champion David Haye.

Since recently capturing the WBC cruiserweight title with a knockout of Ilunga Makabu in the third round, Bellew has been calling for a fight with Haye.

There is only one problem, Briedis knocked out Olanrewaju Durodola last month to claim the WBC's mandatory position and plans to exercise his right to an immediate title shot.

Breidis is not the only man with a claim to face Bellew next. WBC 'champion in recess' Grigory Drozd, who lost the full title due to injury, is ready to return and plans to fight Bellew in the fall. As the WBC 'champion in recess' Drozd has the right to demand an immediate title shot at any time.

If Drozd does not apply his right to the title, then Bellew will have to fight Briedis unless a deal can be worked out between the two parties.

"Now everybody wants a fight with Tony, but I am official mandatory and I need the fight with Tony," said Briedis to Sky Sports. "This will be a great fight for Latvians who live in Great Britain and for Tony's fans."

"David Haye is a great fighter. I have seen his fights and I think Tony Bellew needs to train hard for a fight with David Haye. I'm mandatory. Before David Haye, he needs to fight with me. One thing is what you want and the second thing is what you need. They are different things. Maybe he wants to fight with Haye, but he needs to fight with me.

"This is a great fight. I fight in many countries, but I haven't fought in England and I think this is a great chance to see England fans. I believe next up is Haye, do whatever he wants, but before he needs to fight with me. This is a big challenge for both of us."