Hard training and dieting has transformed ex-boxer Tony Bellew into a lean, mean machine and comeback rumours are already swirling throughout social media.

Bellew hung up his gloves after a resounding defeat to Oleksandr Usyk back in 2018, which given what the Ukrainian has gone on to achieve in the heavyweight division, is no surprise.

The Bomber admitted to piling on the pounds after his retirement due to unhappiness and bad habits, which was only hampered further by rupturing his achilles tendon when playing for his beloved Everton in a charity game.

However, after consistently following a high-intensity training regime, combined with plenty of sparring, Bellew looks to be a man transformed as he proudly displayed his abs in a picture uploaded to Twitter.

That’s some transformation from his fighting days!

Of course, this has sparked plenty of attention from fight fans and broadcasters alike, who are toying with the idea of Bellew setting foot in the ring once again.

Something the proud scouser said that he would never do.

When asked live on talkSPORT about a potential scrap with YouTube sensation Jake Paul, Bellew responded by saying that he would “take his face off.”

Although, when the same question was posed to Paul, his response played down speculation of a fight with Bellew.

“I don’t know who half these guys are to be honest.

“People are calling me out every week, and almost every day honestly. I don’t really pay attention to it anymore.

“It’s more, ‘Who do I wanna fight? And who would make me excited to get out of bed and go train my ass off for months?’

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“That’s the opponent I’m looking for. But all these other guys are probably just looking for a payday.”

“The opponent is to be determined and there’s no clear pathway now. I’m just seeing how the cookie crumbles.”