Former world heavyweight champion David Haye resorted to expletives and a middle-finger salute to supporters of Tony Bellew at a Monday press conference in Bellew's home city of Liverpool.

The two will fight on Saturday in London.

Thirty-six-year-old Londoner Haye - who tried to punch cruiserweight world champion Bellew at their previous press conference - reacted angrily when he was greeted with foul-mouthed abuse from the partisan crowd.

The 34-year-old Bellew (28-2-1, 18 KOs) is moving up in weight for the second time in four years.

Haye (28-2, 26 KOs), who held the WBA world-title belt from 2009-11, gave as good as he got before raising his middle finger.

"I'm really happy you've all come out," said Haye, who returned to the ring in 2015 after a hiatus of over three years.

"Bet all the money you have. Each and every one of you should bet on Bellew to win the fight. But you know your fighter is going to get drilled.

"When he comes back to Liverpool, be there for him, because he's going to need you," added Haye, who entered the media conference through a different door than Bellew and was surrounded by security guards.

Bellew, who prior to winning the world title last year had a role in Academy Award-nominated boxing movie Creed, said he'll be fighting an opponent "who is a shadow of the boxer he once was".

"I am going in with a man who was absolutely fantastic," said Bellew, who sparked the dispute when he belittled Haye in a TV interview after winning his title.

"When he was in his prime, David was an immense athlete - but the tank has run very, very low and it does not last very long."

Agence France-Presse