David Haye launched a scathing verbal attack on rival boxer Tony Bellew in which he admitted “I’ve never had a fight where I really wanted to cave someone’s skull in like this”.

The controversial remarks were made on Sky Sports 1 where the former heavyweight champion appeared on Soccer AM to promote his hotly-anticipated bout with Bellew, which takes place next Saturday night at London’s O2 Arena.

Haye and Bellew have made their hatred clear in the led up to the fight, though while Bellew has also said that he respects Haye as a boxer – just not as a man – Haye has taken no such approach.

Instead, the outspoken Bermondsey fighter took the opportunity to offer an insight into how much he dislikes Liverpool-born Bellew, though his remarks may have gone a step too far given the recent head injuries that have been seen in the sport of boxing.

“Isn’t he an idiot?” Haye said when presenter John Fendley brought up Bellew. “How annoying is that guy’s voice?”

The 36-year-old then proceeded to punch his own hand in anger, though everything was still well-natured at this point.

Joshua vs Martin - the boxing world predicts the winner Show all 8 1 /8 Joshua vs Martin - the boxing world predicts the winner Joshua vs Martin - the boxing world predicts the winner Carl Froch "I remember when I'd won the WBC world title, my first defence was against Jermain Taylor out in America. That was a risk and this is a risk for Joshua. I do think it will pay off and he will become world champion, but don't think for a minute this will be easy." Getty Images Joshua vs Martin - the boxing world predicts the winner Audley Harrison "I just think Anthony Joshua has got that George Foreman, Frank Bruno brutish strength - that ingredient that is hard to hold him off. Charles Martin will be gallant, brave and it's a great fight potentially" said Harrison. "But I can't see him keeping back the steam train that is Anthony Joshua." Joshua vs Martin - the boxing world predicts the winner Frank Warren "I think Anthony Joshua will beat Martin. It's a shame the heavyweight title got fragmented, but it's an opportunity for Joshua. You look at that fight and I think to myself Martin two fights ago was fighting Tom Dallas. Joshua a couple of fights ago was fighting Gary Cornish. You've got to look at the levels and I think he will have too much all round for him." Joshua vs Martin - the boxing world predicts the winner Peter Fury (Tyson Fury's uncle and trainer) "I think differently. I think it's a hard fight for AJ. It's not an easy [fight] for him. He needs full credit. He's had 15 fights, is very raw still and has a lot to learn as far as I can see. The potential is there. He can definitely box, he can fight. He's a talent but like I said, I think it's early. I'd have to favour to Charles Martin, to be honest. This is boxing and anything can happen." Joshua vs Martin - the boxing world predicts the winner David Haye “Charles Martin is not the ideal opponent for Anthony but it is the gateway towards Anthony becoming a world star and very rich." Joshua vs Martin - the boxing world predicts the winner Dereck Chisora "Personally, I see AJ taking this fight a long distance and keeping himself composed. Then in the later rounds he'll take him out." Joshua vs Martin - the boxing world predicts the winner Barry McGuigan "It’s a hell of a gamble with 15 fights under his belt. I expected Joshua to get Dillian Whyte out of there in the first or second round in December last year but he made a real meal of that fight." Joshua vs Martin - the boxing world predicts the winner Anthony Joshua “He will get sparked out, this fight is not going 12 rounds. I’m going to win. This is my destiny. He is just holding the belt.”

“I’ve never had a fight where I really wanted to cave someone’s skull in like this, ever,” he added. “Normally you want to knock them out, it’s quite satisfying to see them knocked out, you think ‘yeah’.

“But I really want to do some damage to this guy, serious. And I’m going to get paid for it as well! It’s great! I’m getting paid to beat him up, it’s just great, so great. What a great world we live in, we live in a world where you can beat the hell out of a really annoying person and get dough for it as well.”

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By this point, Fendley is looking away in bemusement while co-presenter Helen Chamberlain has her head in her hands, with fellow guest Djibril Cisse joining Haye in laughter.

David Haye made controversial comments during an appearance on Soccer AM (Getty)

However, Haye’s comment must come under scrutiny given the dangers that are seen inside the ring. In the last year there have been a number of incidents that have highlighted the serious head injuries that can result from boxing, and his comments do not cast him in a very positive light should anything happen to either boxer next Saturday night.

Tony Bellew claimed this week he will hit Haye first if they clash at the press conference (Getty)

Last October, Scottish boxer Mike Towell died following a match at Glasgow’s Radisson Blu Hotel, while former professional boxer Nick Blackwell was re-admitted to hospital following a sparring session in November, eight months after being left with serious head injuries following his defeat by Chris Eubank Jr.

Blackwell has since undergone a second operation on his brain, and recent reports said he was unable to walk with friends and family admitting he faces a long battle ahead to recovery.

Nick Blackwell with family member at his bedside (Hennessy Sports)