Fair play to Tony Bellew for shaking off an underdog status to defeat David Haye by technical knockout in their first fight last March.

Ahead of their second clash at the O2 Arena in London next weekend, expectations of the former world cruiserweight champion aren’t much different.

That’s despite Bellew looking in much better shape this time around while being eager to prove his shock victory wasn’t a fluke.

"My whole career has been proving people wrong," he said, per the Telegraph.

"I remember the final press conference we had in London at the O2 last year. David was talking and I quite abruptly interrupted him and I said: 'Don’t worry David, after this fight is over I’m going to give you a rematch’.

“Everybody laughed. All the media laughed at me, David laughed at me. I had a giggle myself.”

Oozing with the confidence he can overcome Haye once more, Bellew is even looking ahead to his next prospective assignment in Tyson Fury.

The 29-year-old hasn’t fought since 2015 following a two-year suspension relating to anti-doping and medical issues.

Fury is scheduled to return to the ring on 9 June in Manchester after having his license reinstated earlier this year – and Bellew wants to be his opponent.

“I like that fight as long as I’m his first fight back. I’m not being forceful, I’m not trying to be anything I’m not here,” the 35-year-old said.

“Do I beat a fully fledged, fully fit Tyson Fury? Probably not. But do I beat a Tyson Fury that’s been out of the ring for two years? Yes.

"Boxing is all about timing. And if you take long periods of inactivity you will be made to pay the price. I believe I could make Tyson Fury pay the price.”

Even off the back of 30 months away from boxing, Fury fancies himself to rescale the heights he reached when he claimed the IBF, WBA and WBO world titles from Wladimir Klitschko in November 2015.

"I can't wait to get in there and prove I am the best even after all this time out," he said.

"I'm coming into the prime of my life now. I'm stronger, faster, more confident. Looking at the competition out there, it should be relatively easy.”