David Haye accepts invitation to fight newly-crowned WBC cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew
Former world heavyweight king David Haye has opened the door to a showdown with newly-crowned WBC cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew, promising the Merseyside fighter he would be “smashed to bits”.
Bellew claimed the vacant WBC title with a brutal third-round knockout of Ilunga Makabu at Goodison Park on Sunday to become the United Kingdom’s 13th current world champion.
Following his victory, Bellew called on Londoner Haye, the ex-unified cruiserweight champion, to stop fighting “clowns” and drop down to his old division.
Haye appeared to welcome the opportunity for a showdown with Bellew after his planned clash with Shannon Briggs at the O2 Arena in September, although did not stipulate a weight class.
“Amongst all the excitement, maybe that punch you took in the first round that dropped you, your brain got scrambled, because it looks like you really want to get knocked out by calling me a Bermondsey bitch,” said Haye in a video message directed at Bellew.
“Talking about knocking me out, you must have lost your god-damn mind. After I’ve knocked out Shannon Briggs, who has been giving it a lot of that himself, if you want to be on the list too, I’m knocking out all people who are talking too much.
“Get on the list mate, you’re going to get smashed to bits. Let’s do it if you want it.”
Haye has won both his fights in emphatic fashion since making his comeback to the ring in January following a three-and-a-half-year absence.