Tony Bellew is in fighting mood ahead of his world title bout on Sunday, after challenging David Haye to a contest at cruiserweight.

Bellew (26-2-1, 16 KOs) disputes the vacant WBC world cruiserweight title -- a belt Haye held himself nearly 10 years ago -- with Ilunga Makabu (19-1, 18 KOs) in front of an expected crowd of 20,000 at Goodison Park.

And the 33-year-old took time out from his preparation to consider the possibility of facing the now heavyweight Haye (28-2, 26 KOs) at cruiserweight in the future.

"I will fight anyone. Show me the cheque and I will fight them. I think I'd fight my mother if the cheque was big enough," said Bellew.

"I'm not scared of anyone. I sparred with David Haye when I was an amateur and he was established, world-rated cruiserweight on the verge of the Commonwealth title, and let me tell you I wasn't found wanting when I was sparring with anyone.

"I'm not saying I can mix with the giants of heavyweights, because your modern-day heavyweight is a giant compared to me, like Tyson Fury, David Price, Anthony Joshua.

"But any of those little heavyweights I'd fight all day and let me tell you, I'd kick their arses."

Bellew was unimpressed by Haye's second fight of his comeback -- a two round battering of Switzerland-based Arnold Gjergjaj last weekend -- with Shannon Briggs, 44, next up for the Hayemaker in September.

Haye, 35, is a former world champion at heavyweight and cruiserweight who is pursuing a shot at one of the world heavyweight champions.

But Bellew urged him to drop back down to cruiserweight and fight him instead.

Tony Bellew and Ilunga Makabu are fighting for a vacant cruiserweight title on Sunday. Alex Livesey/Getty Images

"I'll fight that b---- from Bermondsey as long if he gets down to his natural weight.

"He knows what his natural weight is, his real weight, because he's a cruiserweight, there are no two ways about it, then I will fight that b---- from Bermondsey any day.

"What he is doing at the moment is degrading boxing, it's sad. David's better than that and he knows it.

"I speak to David and he might not like my opinion on it, but the fact of the matter is David Haye is devaluing boxing.

"Fighting a guy [Mark De Mori] who learned to box on YouTube, you're having a laugh. That last fella [Gjergjaj] looked like Lurch from the Addams Family. Going down off a jab and looking at the referee to help you out, you've got a problem.

"It's a joke for boxing and it's making a mockery of the game. The only thing that was missing was Hulk Hogan coming running down the aisle.

"I was just waiting for a man to come running down in his yellow vest."

Bellew is an Everton season-ticket holder and hopes fulfilling his dream will be the perfect pick-me-up for Toffees fans after a disappointing season that ended with boss Roberto Martinez being axed.

Bellew, who starred in the latest Rocky movie last year, was twice beaten in cracks at the world light-heavyweight title but insists he will be a different force at the higher weight against South Africa-based Congo-born Makabu, who has KO'd 18 of his 19 victims.

"It's the biggest night of my life, all roads have been leading to Sunday at Goodison Park," Bellew told ESPN.

"Things are looking up [for Everton] and if I can help bring a bit of pride back after a bad season when I lift that belt on Sunday then I will do it, because when I lift that belt on Sunday it will feel like 20,000 Scousers are lifting that belt with me."