British boxing fans are pumped up right now, looking ahead as we are to Saturday’s grudge-fight between David Haye and Tony Bellew. Over the years, fans have grown accustomed to trash-talk between the two fighters, they have got used to seeing pushing and shoving taking place at press conferences and fans have even tired of seeing punches and other missiles thrown in the lead up to a fight.
But whereas in the past the pre-fight hype and fun and games have been just that, hype, the bad blood between these two punchers is most certainly very real indeed. Haye has vowed to inflict serious damage on Bellew, the reigning WBC cruiserweight champ having well and truly got under Haye’s skin. Here’s a prediction: these two do NOT shake hands or embrace after Saturday’s fight, whatever the result. Call it hate, call it jealousy, call it fear, call it whatever you want, but Haye has a real problem even being in the same room as Bellew. Whether or not Haye, the proven heavyweight, can exorcise whatever demons Bellew has put inside his head, we will have to wait and see.
After all his predictions of violence, of hurting and of crushing Bellew “pretty fast,” how shocking would it be if Haye came a cropper and lost to the two years younger man? At age 36, his pride stung beyond belief, would Haye have no option other than retirement (and to emigrate abroad)? One man who sees Haye losing is former British champ Dereck Chisora, the man Haye stopped in his last meaningful fight back in the summer of 2012.
Chisora picks Bellew to take Haye into the later rounds and, when fatigue inevitably sets in, stop the former WBA heavyweight champ.
“David is a great athlete, he’s been at the top but in his last comeback fights he hasn’t boxed anyone who has been a threat to him,” Chisora said to The Express. “Tony has been in the game for a while, he has not been retired and trying to come back. I see the fight going with Tony. I think he will knock Haye out in the later rounds. Tony is very strong. I’ve been sparring with him. David Haye is very strong too. I see the fight going for Tony. It will be a very good fight.”
Is Chisora guilty of being a little biased due to his being stopped by Haye in the 5th round almost five years ago, or is he correct in what he says? Haye has repeatedly said he will smoke Bellew early, but is this what he really thinks will happen or is it what he knows needs to happen for him to win. Bellew has said Haye’s gas tank will empty “very quickly.”
Haye may well get the early stoppage he’s looking for, but if he doesn’t, might Bellew pull off the upset?
