Tony Bellew feels only a "murder" in the ring will make boxing authorities realise the severity of drug misuse in the sport.

Bellew's frustrations come after Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez was handed a six-month ban for two failed drug tests.

The Liverpudlian, who is preparing for May's bout with David Haye at London's O2 Arena, has spoken out about the problems that the sport currently faces.

The 35-year-old Bellew claims that drug-taking is common in boxing, but he believes that the powers that be would only clamp down if a fatality was caused.

He said: “If Canelo has genuinely taken drugs then ban him, but it genuinely won’t change until - and I’m sorry to say it - until someone dies at the hands of someone on steroids, because then it’s premeditated murder.

“When that happens you will see the sport change, but until that defining moment you will not see it."

With substance misuse a problem that boxing has to overcome, Bellew feels that only a tragedy inside the ring will make the sport's authorities re-evaluate their stance.

Bellew continued: “When someone dies - and touch wood it isn’t me - they will start banning people for life and that will send a message.

“It will take someone losing their life because people understand that lives are more important than money.

“If someone dies at the hands of a drug cheat, it will change, but why does that have to happen?”

The fight with Haye in the capital is just over a fortnight away, and Bellew believes a victory against the veteran will see his rival consider his boxing future. 

“For David Haye, I’ve been where he will be on May 5 when he walks to the ring,” he said.

“He will be walking to the ring under massive pressure, thinking if I lose this, it’s the end of my career.

“I’ve been in that position where you’re walking in and all the pressure is on you five or six times in my career, like Cleverly II, Chilemba II. Believe me, he is going to lose again.”