Bellew wants Haye stoppage

WBC cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew has revealed he will stay at heavyweight after March 4 but only if he defeats David Haye at The O2 Arena in London. The 33 year-old, gearing up for the biggest challenge of his life - is a huge underdog to pull off a win, although has full confidence in his own ability and hopes to seal a second bite of the Haye cherry.

"I'm going to be a good man and give 'Sideshow Bob' (Haye) a return once I've knocked him out," Bellew told. "I'm going to give him a way back, because believe you me, when I beat him on March 4, you are going to hear every excuse possible. From he's got a sore toe, a broken finger nail, his hair band wasn't on right. I'm already prepared for 'I wasn't taking him seriously', 'I was in Miami', 'I was on yachts, 'I was sipping protein shakes out of a cocktail glass'. All I will say is, I will give you the chance to get it back, once I stop you on March 4.”

Bellew continued: "I'm fighting, let's get it straight, a big cruiserweight, a very small heavyweight. I'm not big enough, I know I like to kid sometimes and mess around, and I have thought about it - to face the Anthony Joshua-Wladimir Klitschko winner. But in all honesty, Anthony is just too big. I think he's a lovely lad as well. I actually admire him, I'm a fan of Anthony Joshua's."

‘Bomber’ has a mandatory challenge against the winner of Mairis Briedis v Marco Huck, taking place on April 1 in Germany if he fails to halt ‘The Hayemaker’ – whilst retirement could also be a consideration following a long, hard road for the Liverpool man.