British light-heavyweight champion Tony Bellew has said that he is not underestimating the threat posed by Danny McIntosh.
Bellew will make the first defence of his domestic crown when the pair step through the ropes at the Echo Arena on April 13.
The Liverpool fighter lost a narrow points decision to WBO champion Nathan Cleverly in his last fight and is looking to bounce back against McIntosh.
"Danny's got good credentials - he's a former European champion and jokers don't win that belt," Bellew told Sky Sports News. "He's got to be respected and I'm certainly not taking him lightly, I know he can punch.
"But for him to talk about facing Cleverly again is just hype because he went in there and got bounced off the canvas like a yo-yo. He was down a few times and he didn't want to know.
"He needs to take the game and himself more seriously. But I am definitely taking him seriously, no danger there and I am fully prepared for 12 hard rounds and I cannot wait to be back in the ring."
Bellew won the title against Ovill McKenzie in July last year.
Michael Penkman
