I'm not knocking Bellew personally at all. He's made the absolute most of his abilities in going from a guy who was all but stopped by Ovill McKenzie and being brutalised in his only elite level fight at 175 to topping PPVs at crusierweight and above. Credit to him. The problems begin if you believe that PPV should be reserved for absolute elite vs elite super-fights, an idea Sky have obviously abandoned with their 'Great White Hype' protection of Anthony Joshua. Understandable with 'AJ', as there are enough people around who would pay to watch Joshua beat the snot out of an OAP if Eddie sold it well enough. Tony Bellew settling his regional rematch with Nathan Cleverly was comically bad though, especially as the only difference between Bellew-Cleverly 1 & 2 was that they'd both been sparked at world level in the meantime! Now Tony has found himself receiving another windfall courtesy of the reputation David Haye still has amongst British casual fans. Pay-Per-view is a legitimate and necessary platform for mega-fights to be made in boxing. I understand that. Tony Bellew shouldn't be involved with it though.
Will watch it, won't pay for it, but I can think of far worse things to spend my money on than watching Bellew get put to sleep. Will have that on replay all week.
Tony, as much as I like him, is not ppv material. His fights are mainly boring. Reminds me of Floyd, all talk and then a boring fight. Creed wasn't such a hit that you'd spot Tony and instantly know it was him. CLEARLY isn't the best CW in the world. Clearly wasn't the best LHW in Britain. He isn't pay per view material. Tony should have fought Usyk, Haye should have fought Joshua.
Anyone who thinks PPV should be reserved for the elite vs elite is living in some fantasy boxing camp land. PPV is basically for fights that capture the public's imagination. It's simple as that! If the fights draw big money it will be on PPV. If we are being honest. The bellew vs haye fight simply couldn't be made without ppv revenue. The salaries alone that both fighters would demand just doesn't allow it. As a pure sporting spectacle this fight isn't PPV worthy but that isn't how the industry works.
If fighters were paid on gate receipts alone most of the belt holders would be penniless. Does your carer know you have access to a computer when they're asleep ?
Not sure Bellew can win here, if he does manage to beat Haye everyone on here will be like Haye was over hill and finished!! Hope he does win though, do agree with one thing Bellew says and that's Haye is a conman.
I think both are, but Tony isn't anywhere near as blatant as David. There's no real reason for this fight to happen, it's just staged. Tony has a list of KILLERS in his own division, and Haye is irrelevant, they're a division apart and never been in the same division at the same time, yet this fight is happening because of some so-called sparring session 5-10 years ago? I mean really, who cares?
Just watched the video link of them both bickering with each other. Bellew definitely wipes the floor with him verbally. Haye can't complain because he did plenty of that himself in his prime. Credit to Bellew, no matter what you think of him, he knows exactly how to sell a fight. By the time March comes, people not ordinarily interested in boxing will be tuning in to watch this, and plenty of boxers will be scrabbling to get on the undercard.
I agree with you. This is a money fight for both. To be fair there isn't a money fight in the CW division so can't blame Bellew he wants to secure his families future so good luck to him I can see why he would take it with Haye not being huge size difference and he can then come down to CW and defend or unify. Plus we don't not what Haye has left in the tank after 5-6 rounds he maybe done if Bellew can survive that long. Question I would ask, if Bellew wins (unlikely I know) who does he fight next. Back down to CW or stay at heavy and target a smaller HW who has a title. Obviously not the likes of wilder/Joshua.
Nah I think everyone would give Bellew massive credit if he beats Haye. It would definitely be heralded as a huge win worldwide and would give Bellew an excuse to avoid Usyk because he's not a big enough name.
