By Vadim Pushkin

According to WBC cruiserweight 'champion in recess' Grigory Drozd (40-1, 28KOs), Liverpool's Tony Bellew (27-2-1, 17KOs) has little chance of defeating former two-division world champion David Haye (28-2, 26KOs).

After Drozd continuously suffered injuries which affected his activity, the World Boxing Council placed him in the position of 'champion in recess' and then ordered Bellew and Ilunga Makabu to fight for the vacant WBC title.

Bellew captured the vacant belt on May 29th in Liverpool with a knockout of Makabu in three rounds. Immediately after winning the cruiserweight title, Bellew challenged Haye to drop down in weight for a fight.

In several articles, Bellew claims to have beaten Haye up in a sparring session. Bellew was an amateur when the sparring session in question took place. He claims Haye was physically bruised from their interaction and was forced to withdraw from a scheduled fight.

As the WBC 'champion in recess' - Drozd has the ability to exercise an immediate shot at Bellew. Haye is finalizing a fight with former WBO heavyweight champion Shannon Briggs in the fall.

A fight between Bellew and Haye is possible for early 2017, according to Bellew's promoter Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Sport.

"Bellew is tall, he's tough and has a hard punch, but there are things to consider. To [go against someone like Haye] you have to throw and land accurate punches and Bellew would probably not be able to do that. It seems to me that Tony has little chance if he goes into a fight with Haye. Against Makabu, he was very active and missed some punches, but in principle Haye does not miss. Haye is [a] better all around [fighter] and does not miss many openings, so I see little chance for Bellew," Drozd said.