Tony Bellew is predicting a 'vicious' knockout in his bout in Leeds on Saturday

Tony Bellew is confident whoever he faces on Saturday night will be subjected to a 'vicious' knockout.

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The Liverpudlian (24-2-1-KO15) fights in Leeds on the undercard of Josh Warrington v Joel Brunker against a yet-to-be-named opponent and is keen to make it a short night's work as he continues his quest for a first cruiserweight world title shot.

Bellew, 32, told Sky Sports: "Expect a vicious knockout. Expect a vicious, nasty knockout. That's ultimately what I'm going for. I'm not waiting around in this one. I'm not sick or unwell. I'm fit and I'm sharp and I'm expecting to take this guy's head clean off his shoulders.

"The current champions are all really good. I don't really mind who I fight. They're all good champions but I'm ready to step in there with anyone.

I'm not waiting around in this one. I'm not sick or unwell. I'm fit and I'm sharp and I'm expecting to take this guy's clean off his shoulders.

"In an ideal world, I'd like to go for the best fighter and in my opinion that's Yoan Pablo Hernandez. Nobody wants to face a 6ft 4in Cuban - and a southpaw at that. It sounds like a nightmare on paper.

"If I can beat Mr Hernandez then to me, it makes me the best cruiserweight in the world and that's all I ever wanted to be; the best fighter in the world at my chosen weight division. That's the guy I'm aiming for. He's the longest reigning champion and the best champion.

"If I can beat him, I'll face any of the other champions. I'm happy to go straight in to unification matches. You never know who I could call out. I'm unpredictable and my mouth can run away from me sometimes so you never know who I could call out next."

Bellew was last in action in June in his hometown when he produced a final-round stoppage of Ivica Bacurin and although he will be without trainer Dave Coldwell due to Jamie McDonnell's world title defence in America, he is confident of bettering that performance.

Looking back on the Bacurin victory, 'Bomber' added: "Bacurin was a heavyweight. Usually I fight guys who are cruiserweights and they're usually a bit smaller than me. When they're heavyweights, you've got to be a bit careful.

"I had to take my time against Bacurin and be very careful. It also didn't help that I was on antibiotics at the time. I wasn't well at all. It was a lesson learned.

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"Dave is my trainer, my coach and he teaches me on a day-to-day basis, so it has no impact in that way. Tony Sims is taking over in the corner on the night, an experienced, world-renowned trainer and a good friend of mine. I've got a lot of time and respect for him.

"We know what we have to do on the night and Dave has prepared me fantastically well as always. I'm ready to go to work. It's a short-notice fight but one I wanted. Eddie Hearn looks out for me and knows I like to stay busy. An active fighter is a happy one."