Tony Bellew makes remarkable claim about the only thing Tyson Fury has left to do in his career

Tony Bellew has told talkSPORT Tyson Fury has only one thing left to do in his career - lose to him!

The former heavyweight world champion is back in training and targeting a return to action next year, but he was branded an ‘apprentice’ by Chris Eubank on Wednesday in an interview with the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast.

Fury responded by labelling those comments ‘disrespectful and distasteful’ and Bellew admits the self-styled ‘Gypsy King’ deserves more respect.

“Chris Eubank Snr has to think carefully when he speaks, which he very rarely does,” Bellew told the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast. “It’s six of one, half a dozen of the other.

“Tyson has achieved some phenomenal things in his career, and he should be appreciated. I’m not saying everything he says is right, but don’t ever take away from his achievements.”

With Bellew’s much-anticipated heavyweight showdown against David Haye next month postponed after Haye suffered a training injury, Fury has been mooted as a possible opponent for the Liverpudlian in 2018.

And it’s a fight Bellew is ready for.

He insisted: “The only thing left for him [Fury] to do in his career is lose to me. I’m happy to do it [take the fight].

“Everyone is saying I’m scared of fighting big heavyweights and I’m sick of hearing it. It’s annoyed me that much that I thought, ‘you know what, let’s just fight the biggest one then’.”

A rematch with Haye remains on the cards, however, and Fury claims he’s ready to inflict a second defeat on the Bermondsey boxer.

“David Haye is telling everyone he can be ready [next year], and I still believe that’s a fight a lot of the British public want to see. I’m happy to punch him all over the place again. You don’t fluke anything in boxing. You prepare to fight and what will be, will be.”