Bellew issues a warning

TONY Bellew has warned David Haye he won’t hesitate to hit out should he feel provoked when the two Britons face off again prior to their heavyweight bout.

A press conference to promote the fight three months ago turned ugly when Haye appeared to aim a punch at Bellew after being shoved by the Liverpudlian as the two met head-to-head. A repeat of such scenes in the build up t o t heir March 4 meeting could scupper their chances of even arriving in the ring.

Haye, who denied hitting Bellew on that occasion, has previously been involved i n a violent altercation at a press conference with Dereck Chisora i n 2012 while Bellew has previously butted heads with Adonis Stevenson at a weigh-in.

And the possibility of another pre-fight punch up is something Bellew has not ruled out should Haye attempt to draw his ire.

“Listen, if he gets close to me and twitches in any way, I’ll be the first one to smack his face,” Bellew said.

“If he gets close to me, I don’t care about nothing. My first rule of boxing is to get home safe. If he wants to put that i n j eopardy away from the ring, that’s what will happen.

“So i t ’s d o w n to promoter Eddie Hearn to put something in place.

“I pushed him the first time because I’ve never hit anyone at a press conference. He butted me first.

“I will not be second this time. He’s 1-0 up at the minute. That’s how I look at it. He got the cheap shot in. If he steps towards me again, I will be first.”

Haye (left) and Bellew.