Tuesday 31 May 2016 10:14, UK
David Haye has accepted a challenge from Tony Bellew and says the new WBC cruiserweight champion would be 'smashed to bits' in a domestic battle.
The Merseysider called for a clash with Haye after claiming the vacant world title with an explosive knockout win over Ilunga Makabu at Goodison Park on Sunday night.
Haye won the WBC, WBA and WBO belts at cruiserweight before stepping up to heavyweight and Bellew urged him to stop fighting 'clowns' and return to his old division.
That verbal attack has drawn a swift response from Haye, who has welcomed the opportunity to battle Bellew after a planned fight with Shannon Briggs, although he did not stipulate a weight class for the fight.
In a video on his official Instagram page, Haye said: "This is a message for Tony Bellew. First off congratulations, winning in front of your home fans blah blah blah…
I'm knocking out all people [who are] talking too much, so get on the list, mate - you're going to get smashed to bits.
"Congratulations you won the vacant WBC title, lifelong ambition realised, congratulations. But amongst all the excitement, maybe that punch you took in the first round that dropped you, your brain got scrambled, because it looks [like] you really want to get knocked out by calling me a Bermondsey b****.
"Talking about knocking me out, you must have lost your god-damn mind.
"After I've knocked out Shannon Briggs, who has been giving it a lot of that himself, if you want to be on the list too, I'm knocking out all people [who are] talking too much, so get on the list, mate - you're going to get smashed to bits.
"I used to be a cruiserweight, we're both the same height, both similar size. Let's do it if you want it."
