Tony Bellew has said if you put a gun to his head, he would have to predict that Deontay Wilder will beat Tyson Fury in their upcoming heavyweight fight.

With just a day to go until the talking is done and Fury and Wilder can finally go to war, Bellew has been casting his opinion on the biggest heavyweight weight in recent years,

Although the recently retired Scouser hopes Fury can pull off an upset, he thinks the fight might have just come too soon for the former champion.

“When the fight was first made I gave him no chance,” admitted Bellew when talking to Jim White on talkSPORT. “But the more I’ve seen him, I’ve spoken to him and he’s in fantastic shape. He mentally looks likes he’s on it.”

Bellew admitted that he has been impressed by Fury and his ability to bounce back from mental and physical problems, but hopes that his three-year hiatus from the ring will not hamper his chances of winning the WBC title.

“I’ve never wanted to be so wrong in all of my life, I really hope he does it. I’m praying for him, I’ll be screaming for him, cheering him on,” continued the 35-year-old.

“I just hope an inactive three-year period out of the ring doesn’t come back to haunt him. And it could do because an inactive fighter isn’t as effective as he usually would be. It’s tough and worrying going into the fight.

“He’s had two fights back-to-back, but the opposition was absolutely woeful and in no way shape or form can you get ready for a man like Deontay Wilder.

“But listen, if anyone can, Tyson Fury can.”

When analysing the fight and Fury’s best ways to beat the unbeaten American, Bellew claimed that Fury would have a better chance the longer that the fight goes on.

Wilder has won 32 of his 40 fights via KO or TKO within the first four rounds, but there have been questions about the Bronze Bomber's stamina and fitness, and ability to go far into a fight.

Fury, on the other hand, has plenty of experience of going the full twelve rounds, and it seems the fight could tip more and more in his favour the longer it lasts.

Bellew added: “If he gets past three or four rounds, then this fight can be a real tussle.

“He can make his weight advantage count, he can make himself awkward. I believe he [Fury] could exhaust him [Wilder], but it would be very hard to see him knocking Deontay Wilder out with one punch,” continued Bellew.

“Deontay Wilder’s got a fantastic chin and is also a very fit fighter himself.”

Bellew continued his analysis of the fight, and when he gave his final prediction of the outcome of the fight, he still feels that Wilder is the firm favourite for the win and to retain his WBC title.

“Do I think Fury can do it? Absolutely yes, I think he can make a fool of Deontay Wilder and outbox him.

“Yes, he can do that, but do I think he will? I’m not so sure. I just think at some point in this fight he’s gonna get caught with that big right hand.

“You can put a gun to my head and I’m gonna have to say Deontay Wilder by knockout, but my heart’s saying Tyson Fury can get this done.”