Tony Bellew has been retired for half a decade, now comfortably sitting in the punditry chair, but a brewing beef has led to him being called out for a return.
The former cruiserweight world champion beat David Haye twice before being knocked out in an undisputed fight against Oleksandr Usyk, that stoppage leading him to call curtains on a successful career.
Ever since, he has been reporting from the sidelines and not been shy when giving his verdict on the current crop of fighters. One whom he has little time for is Ohara Davies – a verbal rivalry reaching back years.
Davies – who is set to challenge for an interim super-lightweight world title in his next outing – recently told IFL TV that he would fight Bellew.
“My feelings towards him is if he wants to make it happen, I’ll come up in weight and take him out. Ask him to get in the gym, train. I saw him on TV looking chubby. Guy’s gone massive, he’s completely let himself go … I’d love to give him a right hand to his chin. That’s just how I feel about it. He’s a p***k. Nobody likes him”
Bellew has recently branded Davies both ‘a quitter’ and ‘the most overrated fighter in the world.’ Responding to this most recent interview, he told the 31-year-old to ‘keep the same energy’ when they meet.
“I beg he keeps this energy when he sees me… Quitting coward will soon learn that for every action there is a reaction.”
I beg he keeps this energy when he sees me.. quitting coward will soon learn that for every action there is a reaction. 👍
— Tony Bellew (@TonyBellew) November 3, 2023
Bellew recently expressed an interest in a more realistic comeback. He said he was inspired to challenge Poland’s Lucas Rozanski for the WBC’s controversial Bridgerweight World title.