Tony Bellew has dismissed Andre Ward's chances of beating him if the pair were to meet at cruiserweight.

Last year, unbeaten Ward announced his retirement from the sport after two wins over Sergey Kovalev led to him claiming three of the four recognised belts at light-heavyweight.

However, Ward has suggested that he is open to a future move into the 200lbs division in an attempt to become a three-weight world champion, but Bellew has insisted that the American would be unable to defeat him should the pair meet in the ring.

Bellew is currently preparing to take on David Haye at heavyweight but should he record a second success over his fellow British fighter, the Liverpudlian will likely have a number of lucrative options at both cruiserweight and heavyweight.

The 35-year-old also possesses 'Emeritus' status with the WBC, meaning that he can challenge the title holder with the governing body - currently Oleksandr Usyk - if and when he chooses to return to that weight category.

Bellew vacated the WBC cruiserweight belt when agreeing to fight Haye in March 2017.