Sunday 29 April 2018 14:57, UK
Tony Bellew believes David Haye viewed him as a less risky option than a world heavyweight title fight against Deontay Wilder.
The Merseysider pulled off a shock stoppage win over Haye last March and will face his British rival again in a rematch next Saturday at The O2, live on Sky Sports Box Office.
Both fighters were reunited in front of the cameras for the filming of 'The Gloves Are Off' and 'The Bomber' questioned why Haye opted for their grudge fight, instead of challenging the American WBC king Wilder.
Why didn't he make the Deontay Wilder fight? He doesn't fancy it.
Bellew said: "If you came back to unify the heavyweight division, so you fought those two guys who I labelled as crabs, absolute disgraceful, but you beat them two.
"You could have very easily made yourself a world heavyweight title fight, could you not have? David knows that, so that's why he won't answer. It could have been done very easily.
"Why didn't he make the Deontay Wilder fight? He doesn't fancy it. It's a big, big risk and the rewards just aren't big enough.
"That's why he calls Anthony Joshua's name, because the risk is big, it's real big, but the reward is ginormous."
Haye previously held the WBA title in the top division and insists victory over Bellew could still set up a shot at either Wilder, or unified champion Anthony Joshua.
The winner of this fight can then move on to fighting the very best in the division.
"Yeah, of course. I fancy myself against any heavyweight on the planet," said Haye. "Always have and always will do.
"Wilder was never on the radar and that fight is not a big fight. Me fighting you is a bigger fight.
"The winner of this fight can then move on to fighting the very best in the division."
Watch Bellew v Haye: The Gloves Are Off 2 at 7pm on Sunday night.
