Tony Bellew has backed Floyd Mayweather in his highly anticipated mega-fight with Conor McGregor in August.

The Liverpudlian admitted that he thought McGregor will have the mental edge over the American, but Bellew gives him little chance when ‘the gloves have to come on’.

Speaking in his Metro column, he said: “McGregor is in deep now, no going back and the trouble is coming.

“McGregor is always going to be ahead when it comes to mental warfare.

“The idea McGregor has edged ahead in his battle against Mayweather has been going around a lot since the world tour, but the bead thing for Conor is that the gloves have to come on.”

Bellew went on to say that ultimately, Mayweather’s pedigree in a boxing ring will shine through against an inexperienced McGregor, who is yet to have any kind of professional boxing experience, other than a few boxing-style punches he throws in UFC.

“Mayweather doesn’t care that people want McGregor to win or that the Irishman has a sharp tongue.

“Won’t make one bit of difference.

“A 29 year-old is fighting his first ever boxing match and is facing one of the greatest boxers that has ever lived. End of story.”

It’s probably no small surprise that a boxer would back another boxer in bout against an mixed martial artist, but just last week David Haye, who lost to Bellew back in March, said that McGregor could surprise everyone.

Bellew, however, did go as far as to say that if the tables were turned and the fight was taking place inside the Octagon, Mayweather would be the one in trouble.

“In a cage, Floyd Mayweather would tap so hard and so fast. He’d be a tap dancer,” he said.

The fight takes place in Las Vegas on 26 August and is set to be one of the most anticipated fights of all time.

Bellew himself could also be on the verge of stepping back into the ring following his victory over Haye.

Recently Bellew has suggested that a potential rematch with the Hayemaker is getting closer.