A KICK IN THE TEETH

Bellew: I love Conor but he’s got no chance.. it shows boxing no respect at all

TONY BELLEW warned Conor McGregor that the only way he can beat Floyd Mayweather is by kicking him.

The UFC star will make his professional boxing debut against the best fighter of his generation on August 26.

But Bellew slammed the lack of respect being shown ahead of the £500million Las Vegas showdown.

He said: “People think a man from a different profession can walk into my sport and say, ‘I’m going to beat the best fighter of this generation’ – it’s not possible.

“Mayweather is the greatest fighter of his era and there’s no chance a man having his first professional fight is going to defeat him.

“I love Conor McGregor and I am a huge UFC fan, but no UFC fighter is ever going to be able to get into a boxing ring and make it competitive.

“McGregor’s only chance is if he kicks him. If he doesn’t kick him, he’s f ***** .”

Lightweight champion McGregor has propelled himself to the top of the UFC by knocking out seven of his 10 opponents. But Bellew (left) believes the Irishman will experience a whole new level of power – even against the 40-year-old Mayweather.

He added: “I remember when UFC heavyweight Cheick Kongo was over here training.

“He must have weighed over 250lb and sparring Tony Quigley, the British supermiddleweight champion.

“He hit Cheick on the chin with a punch and Cheick’s words were, ‘I’ve never been hit so hard in my life.’ That was from a super- middleweight at British level. Can you imagine what will happen when it’s an elitelevel fighter?

“If this was in a cage, Mayweather would be tapping so fast you’d think he was tap-dancing.

“But it’s in a boxing ring and he’s going to hit McGregor so fast, so hard and so many times he’s not going to know where the punches are coming from.”

Bellew revealed he is nowhere near a rematch with David Haye and is closer to facing light-heavyweight Andre Ward.

“I’m further away than ever with the Haye fight, that’s just the way it is,” he added.

“I like the Ward fight. The numbers didn’t match up at first, then Eddie worked out a way where it can work favourably for what I want.”

TONY BELLEW is a Betsafe ambassador. Find out more at www.betsafe.com