David Coldwell, the trainer for heavyweight contender Tony Bellew (30-2-1, 20 KOs), would love to see his boxer step in the ring with someone on the level of an Andre Ward (32-0, 16 KOs).

Bellew, a former WBC cruiserweight champion, blasted out David Haye in five rounds earlier this month.

After the big win, he called for a fight with Ward - likely at the cruiserweight limit of 200-pounds.

Ward retired last year, a few months after his June stoppage win over Sergey Kovalev to retain the WBA, WBO, IBF light heavyweight titles.

There was some discussion, prior to the retirement, that Ward would move up in weight - and Bellew was named as a candidate - but the two sides were unable to reach terms.

Just the motivation alone of facing someone like Ward will motivate Bellew to rise to the occasion, says Coldwell.

"The motivation is fighting a pound-for-pound great fighter, an absolute great, phenomenal fighter in Ward, and the motivation of beating somebody like that for you legacy and for what you are walking away from the sport is - it's phenomenal," Coldwell told Sky Sports.

"They are the kind of fights that's going to give him the fire, give the motivation. He doesn't have to have an opponent in there that he doesn't like, he just has to have that buzz about the fight."

Of course, Coldwell does admit that he would like to his fighter and close friend retire from the sport.

"I said it straight after the fight, and I said it after the first Haye fight, I would love him to retire," Coldwell said.

"I understand that he wants to carry on. I understand that. As long as it's a fight that's going to get the fire burning in his belly, make him want to come to the gym, make him work as hard as he always works hard. As long as it's a fight like that, I get that. I'm happy for him to do so."