Friday 12 August 2016 16:34, UK
Tony Bellew wants to shut up BJ Flores and take a step closer to unifying the cruiserweight division and a showdown with David Haye, the man he has dubbed 'the B**** from Bermondsey'.
The WBC world champion will make his first voluntary defence in Liverpool on October 15 and the American - who he says is being trained by Shane McGuigan - looks to be top of the list.
Bellew (27-2-1-KO17) is still waiting on an official conformation but would be more than happy if Flores (30-2-1-KO20) was the first stepping stone into a huge fight with former two-weight world champion Haye.
"It's looking like it's going to be BJ Flores and I am really looking forward to it," he told Sky Sports.
"He's been mouthing off and following me around for a couple of years and I'm just a little bit fed up with him now. That's the best way to look at it.
"I am going to smash BJ Flores to bits and be the first man stop him. All he keeps saying is that I am a light-heavyweight, I am this, I am that, so we will soon find out.
"He has a fantastic coach there in Shane McGuigan, at least. But it does mean he will be spending more time with his Playboy nightclub pal [Haye].
"The one thing about fighting Flores is we could well have fireworks before the fight even begins.
"He needs to tone it down and realise that I am giving him this opportunity and he is giving me nothing. He can do what he does and say what he wants, we'll see. Come fight night he is going to be in for a rude awakening."
Bellew would rather take on IBF world champion Denis Lebedev (29-2-KO22) first in his bid to unify the cruiserweight division after winning the vacant WBC strap in May, but admits that fight will not happen yet.
The 33-year-old Everton fan has been involved in a war of words with Flores and Haye (28-2-KO26) following his explosive and emotional win over Ilunga Makabu at Goodison Park.
Haye's proposed heavyweight clash with Shannon Briggs looks to have fallen through, but even though Bellew expects his mandatory challenger Mairis Briedis (20-0-KO17) to "make an appearance in this county in the near future", the champion has Haye firmly in his sights.
"I just want to go out there and perform to my best and be recognised as the best cruiserweight in the world," Bellew said.
"I am looking at unifying the division then take on the 'B**** from Bermondsey'. He wants big fights and big money and I bring both of them to the table.
"I would like to do it next year, as early as possible. I couldn't put a timeframe on it, but it will happen when he needs it to happen and when he needs the money, to be honest.
"And he is going to need it, if we're honest. He lives this extravagant lifestyle, he jet-sets everywhere and he's after big fights, which he openly said.
"It would just be a great, great fight, that I will win. I will be the most dangerous fighter he has fought since Wladimir Klitschko."
