Conor Benn has opened the door to a stunning crossover boxing clash with Conor McGregor - and a former world champion backs the Brit's chances

Tony Bellew does not fancy Conor McGregor's chances in the ring with Conor Benn after stunning reports emerged of a potential fight between the pair.

Benn is currently enjoying some time away from the boxing ring after he was stopped by Ryan Garcia in the second round of their world title fight last month. The 'Destroyer's future remains up in the air, but is expected to return to the squared-circle in 2027.

Several stars within boxing have hinted that Benn and McGregor should clash in a crossover boxing bout, and the 30-year-old appears to be all over it. A fake poster of the fight was posted on social media earlier this week, and Benn was quick to share the poster, responding with: "Any day of the week."

Former world champion Bellew has weighed in on the potential contest, insisting the fight would be over in a matter of minutes if it happened in the boxing ring, but is adamant the Brit has 'zero chance' in the cage. He told Hard Rock Bet: "First of all, everybody will care about it.

Make sure you don't miss sport's biggest stories and breaking news by making the Daily Mirror one of your Google preferred sources

"And then secondly, good on them if it happens, fair play. I don't give Conor McGregor much of a chance in boxing and I give Conor Benn absolutely zero no chance in a cage with Conor McGregor. So whichever discipline it goes to, it's not going to last very long, put it that way.

"They are two exceptional fighters in their own disciplines. Well, Conor's a good fighter, but Conor McGregor is an exceptional fighter in the form of mixed martial arts. But I understand why it could happen. I think the only thing that could be more beneficial than that fighter is the trilogy between Benn and Chris Eubank Jr.

"I actually think if Conor Benn was to get in the boxing ring with Conor McGregor, I'm not sure how it would go down. I'm not sure how well it be received because Conor is on a bit of a losing, he’s seen better days, as has now with Conor Benn, it's a very hard one to get up for that, but as soon as Conor arrives, the torch has been lit.

FOLLOW OUR FIGHTING FB PAGE! Latest boxing and MMA news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

"As soon as Conor McGregor opens his mouth, as soon as Conor McGregor shows up, it’s a different game, mate. It's a different strategy. He's that big. He's huge, he's so popular. He says polarising things; he says controversial things, and he's a big, big deal. So they don't let anybody try and make Conor McGregor's not a big deal.

"He's still absolutely huge. The minute he comes back to the UFC, the UFC is the biggest franchise in the world when he's in it. The fact that he's not in it, is damaging it massively, in my opinion."

A clash between them could prove difficult to come to fruition as both men are under contract with Dana White. McGregor is still signed to the UFC, while Benn is under contract with Zuffa Boxing. And the 'Destroyer' may have to wait until next summer for a contest with McGregor to potentially come together.

The Irishman's UFC comeback back in July ended in defeat after he injured his knee just seconds into his meeting with Max Holloway. McGregor later revealed he tore his ACL in the rematch, and faces a year out of the cage, but has vowed to return to action following surgery.