Tony Bellew set for grudge match title defense against BJ Flores on Oct. 15

The cruiserweights have traded vitriol on Twitter, and now they're going to settle it in the ring.

Promoter Eddie Hearn announced that a fight between WBC titleholder Tony Bellew and BJ Flores is set for Oct. 15 at the Echo Arena in Liverpool (where the champ was born and resides). The bout will be Bellew's first defense after a knockout of Ilunga Makabu to wrest the crown.

"I am going to smash B.J. Flores to bits and be the first man stop him," said Bellew, who played Pretty Ricky Conlan in the hit movie Creed. "All he keeps saying is that I am a light heavyweight, I am this, I am that, so we will soon find out.

"He's been mouthing off and following me around for a couple of years and I'm just a little bit fed up with him now. That's the best way to look at it."

Bellew, 33, campaigned at light heavyweight for the majority of his career, and was knocked out in his lone title challenge (vs. Adonis Stevenson).

He made the 15-pound jump and found new life with an upset win over Makabu, and will be favored to topple Flores, who has never challenged for a title.

They exchanged words on the social media platform earlier this month; Bellew (27-2-1, 17 KOs) said Flores was more worried about clubbing than fighting.

"I am looking forward to this massive opportunity to become WBC champion of the world," said Flores, who often works NBC broadcasts as an expert analyst. "I will completely dedicate the next 63 days of my life to making sure I am 100 % ready on fight night.

"Tony is a good fighter and has earned his title. Many UK fans are not familiar with my style and will be in for a real treat on October 15."

Flores' two defeats came on the only occasions when he stepped up in competition, setbacks to Beibut Shumenov last year and Danny Green in 2010.

(Photo of Bellew by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)