Thursday 26 April 2018 13:14, UK
Tony Bellew will banish his “fat heavyweight” persona and display a more efficient physique to rematch David Haye, he has hinted.
Bellew weighed in at 15st 3lbs 8oz for his divisional debut last year but learned lessons in victory ahead of their second fight, live on Sky Sports Box Office, on May 5.
"He doesn't know what to expect this time. He doesn't know what's coming. Something different is coming this time," Bellew told Sky Sports.
Last time I had the belief in my mind that I had to be heavy, to absorb what he was going to dish out.
"Last time I was a fat heavyweight. This time is a completely different ball game.
"Last time I had the belief in my mind that I had to be heavy, to absorb what he was going to dish out.
"It wasn't until the seventh round that I realised that was a big mistake.
"This time I understand exactly what's needed."
Former cruiserweight world champion Bellew insists his fitness has drastically improved since beating Haye.
"The training levels have been taken up. All my numbers have gone up from my stats. I'm 35, so it doesn't get any easier, it gets tougher," he said earlier this week.
"But the fact my numbers are still going up, show that I'm still improving. I'm still getting physically better with each and every camp."
Haye was at the second-heaviest weight of his career when he fought Bellew. The heaviest was before he beat Mark de Mori in his first fight in three-and-a-half years.
