Whilst boxing's heavyweight division has a number of mouthwatering clashes on the horizon, it seems that one previously discussed fight now has little chance of becoming reality.

A bout between Britain's Tony Bellew (29-2-1, 19 KOs) and America's unbeaten WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder (39-0, 38 KOs) was heavily considered by both men's camps when Bellew confirmed that he would be continuing his career in June last year following his 11th round upset stoppage victory over David Haye three months earlier.

However, in an interview with IFL TV on Saturday night, Bellew confirmed that he no longer has any interest in the fight - and revealed how a meeting between the two at Wembley Stadium prior to the Anthony Joshua vs Wladimir Klitschko fight last year changed his mind completely. (see 17:20 in the video below).

"I was happy to face him, I thought he's not actually that big," said Bellew. But the former WBC cruiserweight champion's opinion changed, though, once he and Wilder met in person and exchanged compliments.

"We slapped hands, I hugged him and he hugged me, and his arm literally wrapped around my whole body... It was as though his arm had tickled his chin and at that moment I knew this is never happening... I am never going anywhere near you.

"Why should I put myself in danger. Every fight is dangerous as it is, but I'm not going to give people unnecessary advantages," reasoned Bellew.

Bellew was far more bullish about his chances against several other heavyweight contenders though, favouring himself over fellow Brits Tyson Fury and Dillian Whyte.

The Liverpudlian declared himself to be "too powerful" for either despite being the smaller man in either contest. Bellew also expressed interest in fighting current WBO heavyweight king Joseph Parker (24-0, 18 KOs) or potentially moving back to cruiserweight to face unified champion Oleksandr Usyk (14-0, 11 KOs).

Bellew did rule out a fight with current consensus top heavyweight Anthony Joshua however.

"He has every attribute over me. He might be faster, he's definitely a better athlete and a bigger puncher...plus I like him," he joked.

Before Bellew can seriously contemplate fights with any of the above names, however, he must first face former WBA heavyweight champion Haye (28-3, 26 KOs) in their highly anticipated rematch at London's O2 Arena on May 5.

Providing Bellew is successful in defeating Haye once again, he will certainly have plenty of options open to him.