Im convinced that Hayes leg injury badly worsened during the fight but was a serious problem all that day and no doubt longer. Haye knew it could get much worse at any minute so went wildly swinging straight off the 1st bell to get it done quick which involved reaching and stretching with wild punches and the leg went before the killer shot landed. In all honesty he should of backed out at the last minute but hes been there done that and he knew the slating he would get for it would be massive and nobody would touch him with a barge poll after that. So he risked it, what would fall 1st, Bellew or his leg. Turned out to be his leg. Without that problem Haye would of won quite easily and if he could stay fit for it he would win a rematch quite easily too. Dont want to **** on what Bellew did but i feel he just got a bit lucky on the night but give him all the props in the world for even wanting and taking the fight in the 1st place.
This. Haye's mobility and timing are gone at the top level. Haye used to be very light on his feet. His power is still good, but he would still struggle to land cleanly on Bellew and get himself stopped again.
Funny how people try to avoid talking about Haye's injury only to make Bellew's win more credible. Bellew didn't do anything in the first 5 rounds, he was running scared and didn't even dare to throw a punch, yes Haye looked in very bad shape but he was still better than Bellew. Haye on his worst day was leading on points before he injured himself and that's a fact, also it's very likely that he was already injured before he got in the ring. Haye without injury knocks Bellew out.
Haye by KO, he was going to KO Bellend until he got the injury, he was tentative at first but would have found the way.
Haye, obviously. Deary me, Bellew struggled to get him out of there when Haye was fighting with one leg. Bellew has no chance, absolutely no chance unless Haye gets injured again. I mean I know he is injury prone and everything, but when you are relying on your opponent to get injured, that's not great odds you got there even against Haye.
Haye isn't ever coming into a fight again without injury. Plus he'll be fighting a guy who knocked him out in the first fight. That'd prey on his mind. I doubt Haye ever wins a meaningful fight ever again.
Haye by late stoppage, instead of trying to decapitate Bellew in the early rounds he will out box him and break him down.
The best way to look at it is this, the betting odds would have Haye a heavy favourite in a rematch. If you think Bellew can win, load up the truck.
I also don't think Haye wins a meaningful fight again. But if he does, it will be against Bellew in a rematch.