Tony Bellew Interview: Fabio Wardley will LOSE every round but has a punchers chance

Speaking exclusively to Football Blog, Tony Bellew weighs in on Fabio Wardley’s chances against Joe Parker this weekend. He also spoke about Ben Whittaker’s future and suggested an interesting next opponent for Moses Itauma and much more.

Q: Ben Whittaker has signed for Matchroom and I saw someone say that Eddie Hearn has promoted him more in a week than Ben Shalon did in four years. Is that fair?

Tony Bellew: I think that’s a bit harsh. But listen, Ben is a brilliant self-promoter of himself, first and foremost. You’ve got to understand that a promoter can only do so much. The fighter has to want to sell himself. And with someone like Ben you’ve got that. This kid’s phenomenal on social media. You see the clips he puts together, the moves and the tones he does in the ring. He lives life close to the edge. Well, he lives life in the boxing ring. I don’t really know outside of the ring, but I think he’s a fantastic precocious talent. I think the world is at his feet, but I think the most important thing at this stage in his career now, which sounds crazy after what I’ve just said, is to keep his feet firmly grounded.

He has to be busy. He has to want to fight, and he needs tests immediately. This guy’s an Olympic silver medalist. This is not some guy who’s just won the ABA’s and looking to turn pro quick and hasn’t got much amateur experience. This guy’s got pedigree, he’s a world class athlete. He’s lived in a world class athlete’s kind of domain since the Olympic games. And there is no reason whatsoever why Ben Whittaker cannot become a multi-weight world champion, in my opinion. 

Q: Eddie said he needs 9 months to get him to world level, so he’ll have this fight and potentially another before going onto bigger things. Whittaker will be 29 by that point, so do you think time might be ticking? 

Tony Bellew: Eddie is the master of building up guys from scratch, as we’ve seen with Anthony Joshua. And he knows exactly what he’s doing. He knows the right fights at the right times and every promoter at some stage in their career will make a mistake. They will make the wrong match at the wrong time and sometimes it’s not even down to the promoter, it’s actually down to the fighter. He’s either underestimated them or he’s not prepared right or he’s got an injury. Sometimes things can go wrong. Like I say, the promoter very rarely makes the mistake because a promoter will always back heavily in his fighter’s favor. That’s his job. But as I said, you do get freak incidents. Barring these incidents happening, I just think this kid set for the top. He has everything, front foot, back foot, he does sail quite close to the edge, he really does. But that’s what makes him so attractive on the eye with fighters and with fans.

Q: Is the punch power a question for you? Do you think he’s got that when he steps up to the top world level?

Tony Bellew: I think he has, maybe not lights out power. But he’s got enough to hurt people and he’ll have enough to get rid of people. What I will say is…no one’s going to walk through him. He’s big enough and he’s strong enough to not be walked through, and that’s a massive factor. Eddie getting him at this age, he’s got his man strength. No one’s going to walk through him. The only worry is and I remember one of the best amateurs this country ever produced in Frankie Gavin and he’s possibly technically one of the best this country’s ever produced. He was that good and still Britain’s only men’s Amateur World Champion. A phenomenal fighter. The different thing with Frankie was, he was such a master boxer, but when he turned professional I told him this is a completely different game, and he couldn’t keep people off him. I remember him going to a fight with Curtis Woodhouse and he went life and death with Curtis Woodhouse and he’s miles ahead of him and he’s a far better fighter. But just by being able to absorb everything he can and get on your chest and in your face, it evens things up. And that’s the sad thing, but that’s professional boxing for you. It’s not just about the skill. It’s an awful lot about the will in professional boxing. 

Q: There was a blip in the first match with Liam Cameron, but he avenged that in the second one…

Tony Bellew: It’s still a talking point in my opinion and he might not like me saying that. I’m very happy he went back and dealt with Cameron. I’ve said this various times with yourselves, all fighters, when they’re in a really hard close, should revisit the rematch. I’ve done it throughout my career, so I’m not trying to say something that I didn’t do or want to do. People might ask why I didn’t rematch Oleksandr Usyk or Adonis Stevenson, well I could no longer make weight for the Adonis Stevenson fight. That’s the first one. I would’ve happily revisited at cruiserweight when I became W-B-C Cruiserweight Champion. I would have gone in again with Usyk, but what’s the point in going in with somebody that’s much better than you? I had found out the hard way. But the David Haye fight came under crazy circumstances. We all know why I gave him the immediate rematch. Ovill McKenzie fight, I was dropped twice heavily. Once on my face. I gave him a rematch. I did it plenty of times. 

So I just think any fighter in a really close fight, revisit it and find out who is the better man and to be fair to Whittaker, he did do that. The first fight will still leave questions over it because it didn’t seem to be going his way, and I don’t want to say he quit. Because he didn’t , but by all accounts, his corner took control that night, and they pulled him out. But he went back for the rematch, so no one can say that Ben Whitaker is afraid of a challenge. No one can say he bottled it. No one can say anything because guess what? He revisited it. 

Q: Will he want to entertain the crowd still or is he strictly going to be business now?

Tony Bellew: I don’t think it’s going to be a question of if he wants to entertain? So he’ll just want to go in there and look at it. If a bit of shenanigans or dancing comes in, then fair play. If you’re good enough then pull it off, do what you want to do. I mean, it wasn’t in my taste that I wanted to get rid of you as fast as I could, but it’s each of their own. I mean, that’s what made, in my opinion, Naseem Hamed, the fighter that he was, it was the showman tactics and the things that he’d done and, and some fighters that can get away with it. Remember Johnny Tapia? He was amazing, doing crazy things in a boxing ring. There’s so many fighters over the years that we’ve seen. Hector Camacho, they do all kinds of crazy things. Is Ben Whittaker one of those fighters? We’re yet to find out. Can he get to the levels of fighters I just mentioned like Naseem Hamed? One of the greatest fighters this country’s ever produced. Without a shadow of a doubt, the greatest showman this country has produced as a boxer. And then when I speak about the likes of Hector Camacho and Johnny Tapia, they’re world class level fighters. Does he belong with them? Time will tell. 

Q: Dave Allen unfortunately came unstuck against the big scary Russian Arslanbek Makhmudov. What do you think went wrong on the night?

Tony Bellew: Aslanbek Makhmudov, Dave basically answered the questions himself. Dave’s response was after the fight, because I’m standing there and I’m analyzing the fight and everything and I said before the fight, Dave will absorb what Makhmudov has to offer for the first four or five rounds. Then he should start turning the screw. And that looked to be the case from the outside looking in, but every time he got close, he couldn’t turn the screw. Basically, I’d say turn the screw. In other words, he couldn’t let his hands go and Dave said it was the hardest he’s ever been hit. He needed to bite down on the gum shield and go for the kill. That’s what Dave needed to do. Dave’s response in the interview was that he couldn’t let all these people down in this arena by getting knocked out. And I just thought that Dave could have gave the fans the best night and himself the best night of his career by going for the knockout himself. Because, believe it or not, after six rounds, Makhmudov was tiring and Dave felt his shots at the same time. But he should have been thinking, ‘am I willing to get knocked out here to win, or am I just happy to go to 12 rounds?’ I mean, at the end of it, he was happy to do 12. I know he said he wasn’t good enough. Dave Allen is good enough. I just don’t believe Dave Allen believes in himself as much as he should. You get put in a situation and it’s you or me. And listen, not every fighter can do it. Not everyone’s up to it. I get it. The fact that he stayed in there for 12 rounds shows he’s brave enough. I just think there’s fine margins between lunatics, maniacs, world champions and normal fighters. I think it’s a very fine line. Unfortunately, for me, I came under the got a few screws loose category and so do a lot of people.

And I’m not proud of that in any way, shape or form because I’ve got four kids, but when I went into that boxing ring, it went two ways. Either I was getting knocked out or I was knocking someone out. If we go 12 rounds, fair play, but I am trying to take your head off for every single second and you better be willing to take mine off too. I just think some fighters aren’t accustomed to that way of life. Unfortunately, for me, I was. I think Dave Allen l doesn’t look aesthetically on the eye. He doesn’t look good. He was in better shape. He went 12 rounds. He calls himself the Doncaster De La Hoya and he’s a lovely fella. I like Dave Allen, so I don’t want to diminish him too much. I think he can win a British title without a shadow of a doubt. I think he’s a far different fighter and a better fighter now than what he was when he was in the ring with Frazer Clark. And I think under Jamie Moore and Nigel Travis, I think he has a chance and I think he really can win the British title outright. A rematch with Dave Allen and Frazer, I think would be an ideal fight. Frazer’s a really good fighter with an awful lot of pedigree. So, with Dave not being the biggest puncher, it’s a hard one. He’s always going to be a hard fight. I just think the question needs to be asked to Dave, how much do you want it, Dave? Because you’re in the division where you’re going to get hit if you don’t want it. One of the federations made Moses Itauma mandatory for Kubrat Pulev. Pulev ran in the opposite direction. As I would as well if I was him.

Q: Will this be a problem for Moses – are fighters scared of him?

Tony Bellew: No fighters are scared of each other. I think the biggest thing is the reward has to match the risk. And when and when you’re looking at it, the ideal name is going to be a big name, someone who knows how to handle themselves. Got a good defense, shuts up shop quite well. Jermaine Franklin fits the bill in every kind of way.

If he wants to take a risk, which I believe it is not a risk, but if you want to take someone for credit and name, I just can’t see past Andy Ruiz Jr. I think it’s the perfect fight for Moses. I think Moses bamboozles him. I think he beats him on points, I don’t think he stops Andy Ruiz, he’s got a rock solid chin. He’s solid. I think they’re the kind of names you want.

They’ll look at maybe the AJ fight. Everyone’s going to look at the AJ fight when it comes to Andy Ruiz and that he can spring a surprise. AJ showed in the rematch that AJ’s as brave as anything when it’s all about braveness in fights. This point always wants to revisit rematches. This guy always wants to fight the best. Signs to fight the best every single time. So hundred percent. He’s the standard to which he demands from heavyweights of being brave and wanting to know and facing the best all the time, going to be matches. 

For someone like Moses now, it’ll be his management team. And to be fair to him, he’s got a good management team. Frank Warren knows how to build fighters. It’s one thing he does know. He’s done it for decades. You say no shortcuts. Most of those fighters get to the top. Very few stay there. Because what he does is he builds them quite cleverly really. What you’ve got to look at very, when I say very few stay there, there’s been so many fighters to the likes of your, your Garry Locketts over the years and you get thrown in Kelly Pavlick.

And you just go, okay. He was your European level. He was a good fighter, but he was never worldclass. He was never staying there. The only one I can think of who stayed there. Well, there’s two. There’s Joe Calzaghe, but obviously eventually he left Frank as they always do, and then there’s Enzo Maccarinelli, he stood the test of time and stayed with Frank from start to finish.

But Enzo dropped up and down to the levels again. He went to work being a champion, gone down sizes, went right back down to the levels. Then coming up. He’s done it with a few. 

That’s the big thing for Daniel Dubois. It’s a big question for me is how much does Daniel Dubois want it? He’s financially secured, he’s earned an absolute fortune and deserves every penny. He’s done fantastic.  There’s one for Moses. But I know Frank doesn’t like to match his fighters, so. Listen, they’re going to have to face each other eventually. I guarantee, if it could be for the world title, Frank will make the fight tomorrow. But if he comes with the champion, he leaves the champion. 

Q: Anthony Yarde is fighting David Benavidez 

Tony Bellew: It’s a very hard fight. He couldn’t have picked a tougher fight in the light heavyweight division outside of Bivol and Beterbiev. And as we know, he’s been in there with Beterbiev already. It’s a tough one. Benavidez is a monster. Huge in size and stature. A  work rate. That’s absolutely phenomenal. I think this will be the quickest fighter with actual direct hand speed that Anthony Yards ever faced. Artur Beterbiev is a different kettle of fish to Benavides.

And I say that because even though he’s very good, Beterbiev is a monster. He’s someone who looks to hurt you from the get-go. With someone like Benavides, he breaks you down. His combination punching is frightening, his speed is frightening. And added to a huge size and stature, it’s an awful lot for him to take on. So I listen. It’d be amazing if fans in New York could get over the line, but I think that’s a big ask. Bam Rodruguez is also fighting that night.. Bam should be spoken about a lot more than the pound for pound list.

Q: Speaking of pound for pound Boots Ennis Yeah. Eddie Hearn’s been talking him up saying he’s the future pound for pound. Is that Eddie blowing a bit of smoke or do you believe there is potential there for Boots to be top tier?

Tony Bellew: Eddie blows more smoke than Fireman Sam, but he’s not wrong on this one. You know, when it comes to Jaron Boots Ennis, he’s phenomenal. I’ve said this for quite a while. Unbelievably good. He just needs the caliber of opponents stepped up. We’ve seen him do one round blowouts and destruction. But every top fighter needs a dance partner. He needs one and he needs one ASAP.

Step up the calibre. I can’t understand why the Ortiz fight hasn’t been made. I know Eddie wants to make it and I don’t know what the hold up is. I think he beats Virgil Ortiz, but Ortiz, once again, is another brilliant fighter. That fight is a match made in heaven in my opinion. I don’t blame Ortiz for that one. I’m sure. I think it’s down to Boots to be fair. We’ll find out soon.

Q: Turki Alalsheikh said no more pay-per-views – I think he’s doing a subscription model, but. Conor Benn against Chris Eubank Jr. is going to be pay-per-view. 

Tony Bellew: No more pay-per-views, here’s another pay-per-view. When you come out and make big statements, like no more PPVs, your next two big events can’t be PPV. Wait until the event’s over, then tell ’em there’s no more PPVs and go, this is the subscription button.

But I think people just jump the gun at times and get a little bit excited. Listen, pay-per-view is always going to exist purely because fights sometimes are just too big to make and you need the extra funding. It’s that simple. I listened to a debate on TalkSport yesterday, and they were going on about how footballers shouldn’t earn this much, shouldn’t earn that much. Well, it’s all relative. What they generate, they earn. Don’t forget, of course they pay tax on it. I was listening to the arguments and people talking, they were like, you can earn 300 grand a week. Well ’cause guess what? He goes on a pitch and generates that. It’s like no one talks about how Keanu Reeves signed up for three matrix movies and got 300 million, but everyone wants to talk about, you know, Erling Haaland getting 500 grand a week. I just don’t get it. Where does it stop?

Compare our pay-per-view to the American PPVs. An absolute joke. I mean, $70, it should be like $80 to get to get the big fights. But ours were buttons compared to when I’ve had American friends come. We’ve got some family in America. When they came, they were like £19.99 for the fight. Wow. Let’s get it twice. Turki Alalsheikh has been a game changer for boxing. He’s been absolutely fantastic. No one can say a bad word.

I’ve got one bad word to say: Now we don’t get Eddie Hearn and Frank weren’t going at each other like we used to. That used to be gold dust. 

Tony Bellew: I’m sure. I’m sure they’ll pick up where they left. Because that generates sales. So believe you me, they will find that rivalry again because. It works for both of them. But when it comes to Turki Alalsheikh, he brought them together. He was the creator of all of this. But I just think he’s been such a fresh light for boxing. We’ve events that you could never have dreamed of. You know, sold-out Wembley Stadiums boxing in Saudi Arabia. The biggest bills. I mean, the Day of Reckoning card was just phenomenal. The names that you’ve got all on one building.

Q: George Groves reckons he would’ve beaten Terence Crawford. Did you see that?

Tony Bellew: What’s George been smoking? I love George, but come on, George. Stop it. Crawford is a multidimensional fighter. George was a really good fighter. Huge puncher. Strong boy. Good, strong jab, good movement, leaky defense but could punch. Not a chance he’d beat Crawford. Not having it. No. 

Q: I noticed they had an artificial intelligence judge for Crawford Vs Canelo and the AI judge scored it 114-114.

Tony Bellew: Of course he did. Yeah, of course he did. So the AI judge was actually part of the promotion. And the dream result of being part of that promotion would’ve been a draw. Because guess what? We’d get to see it again. The real life judges scored it correctly. He won.

Q: The AI judge was there for Tyson Fury against Usyk. Fury was fuming because it scored it 118, 112, to Usyk.

Tony Bellew: That was a bit wide. But yeah, I thought he won as well. 

Q: Speaking of the Fury’s, Huey Fury is someone we haven’t spoken about much. He’s adamant that he can still make it and become a world heavyweight champion. Do you think he’s a bit of a late bloomer? 

Tony Bellew: Huey’s a handful. He’s an impossible fighter to look good against, so that means no one’s going to want to fight him first and foremost. And secondly, it just depends on how the belts get fragmented – because they are going to get fragmented. It’s going to happen again. The build is going to break up. Oleksandr Usyk’s just going to walk away into the sunset and he’s going to go, I’ve had enough when he does. You will find them all scavenged towards the belts. And then you will find lesser champions and then somebody else will come along. Hence, Moses Itauma, and he will clean up again. And then you will have a reigning, undisputed unified champion again. But he will have to go through his first year of sh*t. And it will be sh*t.

These belts will get fragmented and they will get broken up. And he’s going to have to get through some of the sh*te that picks it up. And there will be some sh*te that picks them up. I mean, when all those belts get fragmented, I could probably come back myself and win one. Because there’s enough sh*te in the heavyweight division. You just need to go and get lucky and take them one. And then get the big payday and they will all see that.

Get yourself a version of the heavyweight title, you are going to make a few quid. And as you can see, you’ve got fellas knocking around already claiming to be heavyweight champions with a WBA regular title. I went to pick up a belt from Next and that was worth more than the WBA regular. I think the WBC Silver Title does have relevance because that puts him in the top 15, so it’s a ranking belt.

And then, you defend the WBC silver, because I had the WBC silver, I always chased the WBC belt, the green and gold belts were the dream belts for me, the greatest fighter from my area, in my opinion, was John Conte, and he held that green and gold belt, Muhammad Ali, Floyd Mayweather, sugar Ray Leonard. All those names, they all held that belt, and I chased that belt. So when the WBC puts the belts out, they have a ranking system, so the international belt will get you in the top 20. The silver belt gets you in the top 15 or in the top 10 and then you can attack that belt. So it’s quite obvious with Ben Whittaker’s targeting the WBC.

Q: Hamzah Sheeraz is also targeting the WBC interim super middleweight title. Do you think next year is his year to really go that next level up and become an international world champion?

Tony Bellew: I think he showed last time out what he’s all about, he was absolutely fantastic. So getting rid of him the way he did, he’d done what Canelo couldn’t do and I really like him, I think he’s a very good fighter, good pedigree, technically very good, huge at that weight and he’s now under the tutor of Andy Lee, which is a massive thing as it showed in the Berlanga fight. It showed exactly what he’s about, what he can do, his strengths, his weaknesses. There’s still stuff to work on and Andy Lee will accept that, but ultimately, Hamzah Sheeraz is going from strength to strength.

Q: Who’s your biggest ever boxing underachiever?

Tony Bellew: You’ve got loads, John Lyon won seven ABA titles from Wigan. The first name that comes to mind when you’ve just mentioned that phrase is Joseph Selkirk. I have never seen anyone who’s more talented than him ever in my whole entire life. I’ve been in training camp with Amir Khan, I’ve been in spar training with David Haye. I’ve fought them, I’ve been around Cubans, Russians, Ukrainians and I have never seen anyone as gifted as Joseph Selkirk. But life outside the ring is very difficult. When you find out that what’s in between your legs isn’t just for pi***ng out off, It changes some crazy things. I’m quite close to him and still now I love Joseph. We met Gennady Golovkin the other week and we were at the World Championships and he went, “Ant can you ask him?” Because he calls me Ant, I’m Anthony to Joseph because I’ve known Joseph since he was a baby and he’s known me and he goes, “Ant, can you ask him if he’d have a photo with me?” I said, of course. And champ says to me, “champ how are we?” I said, I’m okay, champ. I said, can you do me a favor? Can you have a picture with this guy? And he said, of course. I said to Gennady, this is the most talented fighter I’ve ever seen and been around in my whole life. And he said, he must be very good then, he said he was exceptional and he had a picture. But yeah, Joseph Selkirk for me, I’ve never seen a talent like that. A former ABA Champion, he’s done everything in boxing besides turning professional and cleaning up the division. I can’t explain to you how good he was. Joseph now is probably about four or five years younger than me, so he’s closing in on forty. I love him and he’s like my little brother, but I couldn’t put up with him, he’s nuts. I’m telling you right now, if he went to a training camp for 12 weeks, he would probably make super middleweight. He’d clean anyone out, this lad could come in, not be in the gym for six weeks and just take apart like really high level fighters and do it with ease. I remember him sparring Ricky Hatton in Manchester before he fought Kelson Pinto and Selkirk sparring Rick, and for six rounds he was just like, wow and he was unbelievable.

Q: From someone who’s just had that natural gifted talent to maybe someone who’s had to graft at it more, Fabio Wardley. It’s a seven to one shot to stop Joe Parker. You think there’s no stopping Joe Parker, even with the dynamite that Fabio has in his right hand?

Tony Bellew: I think he does have a punchers chance. I just think it’s a very hard fight for Fabio. You’re asking him to jump three levels in one night. Not one or two but three levels, I know he’s won the British title and I know that he was doing well there, but he had one fight. The Battalion against Fraser Clark drew the first one, he lands the big punch in the rematch, he bypasses European level and now he’s in deep waters, at world level. This isn’t like just a contender fight, this is the top tier Joseph Parker. You’ve seen the victories that he has and the names on the resume, Deontay Wilder, Zhilei Zhang, he’s been in with everyone and anyone. The only person missing off his hit list is Tyson Fury. He’s been in with Oleksandr Usyk, he’s been in with anyone and everyone, the Martin Bakole destruction.

Q: What happened with the Joe Joyce fight then what do you think went on for him that night?

Tony Bellew: I just think that’s when Joe Joyce still had his durability. I’ll tell you right now, Joe Joyce would’ve beat everyone barring Oleksandr Usyk when he had that durability. Because he would’ve outlasted everyone, Joe Joyce was the most destructive heavyweight in the world when he had that durability but I said it before it happened. I said it’s going to fall and when he gets done for the first time, he’ll never be the same again. And I told anyone who would listen and it happened once, bang it’s gone. He can’t absorb it, when he fought Chisora, Chisora dropped him, and he’s just an accident waiting to happen. 

Q: So your prediction for the Joseph Parker fight?

Tony Bellew: I know both and I get on with both, very fond of both guys, but I think Joseph Parker will be too much on the night. Don’t get me wrong, I did say before, of course, Fabio has a punchers chance, but believe you me, he won’t be winning at any stage in that fight, he’ll be losing round after round, because Joseph Parker just knows that little bit too much and is that little bit too savvy, in my opinion and I think it’ll be a points victory, possibly even at late stopper to Joseph Parker, because he punches hard than people think as well Joseph Parker.

Q: Mike Tyson and Floyd Mayweather, the contracts are signed. It’s going to happen. I can’t remember if we spoke about this, but it’s taken a lot of people by surprise?

Tony Bellew: I don’t believe it will happen. In no world can I fathom it. I just don’t know in what world or what universe, this can look normal. Because I’m thinking about them two in the ring together and I’m just like, what’s going on here? At what point is someone going to go, is this nuts, is this dangerous? I mean, he’s a grandad, he’s been retired, I just don’t know, it’s nuts.

Q: If you had to pick a face of British boxing right now, put him on the front of Ring Magazine and say who’s the current face? 

Tony Bellew: It is still AJ, without a shadow of a doubt,  who’s a bigger face? Who’s a more popular name in Britain? No one. I just don’t even think anyone comes close, it’s Fury or Joshua. But I just think AJ, Olympic gold medalist, crossover star, huge draw, huge name. The face of so many brands. I mean, I go out of my house and I see his face everywhere, face of Hugo Boss, face of Under Armour, there’s just so many different things and fair play to him. I just want to see him back in the ring. 

Q: What about AJ and Makhmudov, is that a good match up?

Tony Bellew: He will knock Makhmudov clean out, you can’t miss him and he actually makes himself small the way he stands. His legs are so wide, the guy’s huge yet every second he was fighting Dave, he was the same height as him. No one pays attention and looks at the smaller details. I think AJ knocks him absolutely spark out, and I think he’s a good fighter, but I think he’s one dimensional. I think he’s so easy to hit and I think Kabayel showed us exactly what you need to do. Now Agit Kabayel is a world class fighter, he’s not a world champion, but he’s a world class fighter. The way he takes people apart, he’s exceptionally good. I watched him against Derek Chisora in Monaco when I was there working and he was just a level above that night. So I don’t think for one second, Makhmudov is World class. I just think he’s a fringe European level fighter. That’s exactly what he is, a gatekeeper. If you beat Makhmudov you’re on your way. It’s dangerous because whatever you want to say about Makhmudov, he can punch. He might be a world class puncher, but when it comes to an actual complete fighter, he hasn’t got much in the way of charisma. 

He’s just a crazy dangerous Dagestani. He’s a strong boy, he’s game. He’s brave but I just think AJ’s got far too much for him. The speed alone of Anthony Joshua, when he lets his hands go. He doesn’t want to overthink things. He’s the most destructive heavyweight in the world, but he’s just got to let his hands go.

Q: Have you watched any of Celebrity Traitors?

Tony Bellew: I haven’t, but everybody’s talking about it. I haven’t seen it. I’m not a f**king traitor! I’m all right, thanks. I don’t know what it is. Listen, I’ve heard loads about it and people stop me when I’m out in the street, which isn’t very often, and they say have you seen that Traitors. I’m like, nope, not at all. You’d be great, you should have gone on it. I’m like no thanks! 

Q: There’s been a lot of anger and disparity in the country recently. We’ve seen the tragic attack on the synagogue in Manchester. Do you think sport and especially boxing can unite people and bring people together to help stop this madness that’s going on?

Tony Bellew: I would hope so. As we’ve seen with the Olympic games and sports, we have seen how it can bring people together. All the Olympic games, we forget about what’s going on outside of the world and the wars and the nonsense that’s going on. The world is a more peaceful and harmonious place through the Olympic games. Every nation, every country, every religion is at the Olympic games. So it shows it can be done. We just need to put that into, into day-to-day life. It’s difficult. 

Q: Gary Neville made a video a couple weeks ago, which seemed to wind people up a bit. Do you think ex-players should be getting involved like that?

Tony Bellew: I think everyone’s entitled to an opinion. I haven’t even seen the video of him being totally honest. I’ve heard about it, but I don’t really know. I couldn’t comment on it. But as I said before. I don’t believe religion is the problem in any of these things. People are the problem. You’ll get extremists in every different kind of religion, every different kind of race, ethnicity, creed. You will get extremism in all in racist colors and creeds. People are the problem.