Tony Bellew: I'm NOT a Walk in The Park For David Haye

By Edward Chaykovsky

WBC cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew believes David Haye has no other choice but to face him in the first quarter of next year.

This past Saturday night, Haye was sitting ringside at the Echo Arena in Liverpool and watched his close friend BJ Flores get knocked out in three rounds by Bellew (28-2-1, 18KOs) - who was making the first defense of the title he captured back in May in Goodison Park with a brutal third round knockout of Ilunga Makabu. Flores was knocked down four times before the contest was waved off.

After the contest was over, he called for a fight with Haye (28-2, 26KOs). Bellew made attempts to physically confront Haye., but he was restrained by his camp members and security.

Bellew has long claimed that he, along with Olympic bronze medal winner David Price, busted up Haye so bad in a sparring session that it caused him to withdraw from a scheduled fight. The alleged incident took place several years ago when Bellew was still an amateur.

Haye, a former cruiserweight and world heavyweight champion, believes a fight with Bellew would be a complete mismatch.

Because of their sparring session years ago, and their current positions in the sport, Bellew is confident he would knock Haye out. Haye snapped more than a three year layoff back in January of  this year. He's had two quick wins over very overmatched competition.

"I will do it anywhere, any time, any place. It really doesn't bother me," Bellew told Sky Sports News HQ. "I've wanted to show that I'm one of the best fighters in the country.

"I'm trying to let David know that I'm not playing games and he has to understand that this is not a walk in the park for him. This is not all about him, it's about me just as much as it's about him. It's got to happen. It has to happen in my opinion. I don't see anywhere else for David to go. He's said that he's got this announcement today, but we'll see."

According to Bellew, his promoter Eddie Hearn of Matchroom has already spoken with Haye's handlers to see if a deal can be made for next year.

"My team has spoken and his team have spoken. I leave it with Eddie Hearn," said Bellew. "Eddie Hearn looks after me, he's guided me and my career brilliantly so far. I'm world champion, I'm the best cruiserweight in the world.  We'll see where it goes. Ultimately the two teams have spoken, we have come together. Talks have got underway and we'll go from here."