By Edward Chaykovsky

Light heavyweight contender Tony Bellew (17-1, 11KOs) wants to do a number on veteran puncher Edison Miranda (35-7, 30KOs) on September 8th at Alexandra Palace in London.

Miranda is not impressed by Bellew and expects to knock the British fighter out. Bellew is hoping to pull off a similar result, by leaving Miranda on his back and increasing his own exposure in America.

The Colombian fighter has been training in Las Vegas with WBC light heavyweight champion Chad Dawson, who faces Andre Ward on September 8th in Oakland, California.

“The perception of UK fighters is that we are all bums. Until we get in the ring with them that is. You have got to earn their respect and I think this is the kind of cloth Miranda is cut from. I’ve read the story of where he’s come from but I couldn’t care less. In the same way he won’t care about where I’ve come from," Bellew told Liverpool Echo.

“We’ve all come through struggles and you’re not boxing because you’ve had a silver spoon in your mouth. If you have then you’re playing polo or something like that."

“If he thinks for one minute that he’s coming over here and intimidating me with tales of where he’s come from then he needs to think again. They think all the UK fighters are bums until they actually get in the ring with us. I hope he comes with that approach. If he does then this fight is not going to last long.”