Liverpool’s Tony Bellew has opened up honestly about why he turned down the Deontay Wilder fight when it came down to it, in the end.

The pair met last year while commentating on an Anthony Joshua fight and at the time exchanged some entertaining words on TV.

However, there was no legs to a fight happening in the end, it turns out.

Speaking to IFL TV, Bellew candidly admitted that Wilder is just too big a fighter for him physically:

“(When we met) We slapped hands, I hugged him and he hugged me and his arm literally wrapped around my whole body. It was as though his arm had tickled his chin and at that moment I knew this is never happening. I am never going anywhere near you.”

Well, at least he’s been honest.

At the same time it shows his heart certainly is not fully set on the heavyweight division as Wilder represents a number of big fighters in the division, in truth.

The likes of Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury are bigger and heavier than Wilder for example.

Bellew was linked with a fight against Tyson Fury in the past but by the looks of the way he is thinking now, it more than likely won’t happen.

Bellew rematches David Haye on May 5th at heavyweight but after this expect a return to cruiserweight, or even retirement.

For the full interview on IFL YouTube (hat tip) check it out here: