Never before have I seen a guy win via 11th round TKO and so many questions be up in the air about who the better man actually is. Was Haye injured going in? Is he completely shot? Had Bellew stood up to David's best punches in any case? Was Haye finding his range in rounds 4 and 5? Why did Tony take almost 15 minutes to finally end the fight against a crippled opponent? Despite the ridiculous claims in Boxing News today that Bellew's huge win was ''controversy free,'' I've never seen a fight that left opinions about the winner of a rematch so split. I'd pay to see them do it again, and it'd pay Tony a hell of a lot more than fights against either Parker or Wilder too.
The only purpose of the fight is the same as the first fight - to earn both millions of pounds through mugs forking out for tickets and PPVs. In a wide boxing context, the fight serves little purpose.
Who cares about the wider boxing context? Its a fight between two seemingly evenly matched opponents that could go either way. Them's the fights I want to see. The interest is there, they should get it on again.
If Haye was injured going in, he would not have worn low ankle boots and not had strapping on. Bellew admitted he punched himself out in the 6th and took the 7th and 8th off as he needed to find his second wind, hence the delay in him getting the stoppage. Haye also was extremely brave and courageous in the ring and put up a good show with the injury. I think Bellew would have started to get on top in the later rounds regardless of the injury- as Haye was gassing. That was a lot to do with his flawed fight strategy, going for the KO early and expending so much energy. Haye could win the rematch if he loses some bulk, and fights a different fight (not going for the 1 punch KO early) and using his jab and elusiveness to clock off the rounds in his favour. I think a rematch makes sense for both guys so long as Haye can get back in the ring soon.
Exactly, so few big fights involve evenly matched opponents. These 2 guys are evenly matched and need to get in on again.
It makes the most money for both of them so it will 100% happen, I expect the next one to be in a stadium next year summer time with Hayes injury if Bellew is still around.
Good point about the boots of Haye. As for gassing though, Tony was blowing a lot more than Haye. Another argument that could be resolved by a rematch!
I think Haye was gassing up until the injury, then after the injury his adrenaline kicked in and he got a second wind. Also Bellew did seriously punch himself out in the 6th looking for the KO. He was never going to KO Haye because Haye was not hurt- so he should have boxed cleverly and made the openings. The rematch for me is won by Haye if he doesnt get injured, loses some muscle mass and fights a pick off style strategy. Haye is a master at the steal from your pockets gameplan so long as his opponent is slow and lacks power. Bellew can only win if Haye fights the same strategy as the first fight,or breaksdown again injured (I would not rule this out at all) and Haye is too intelligent to fight the same strategy again.
The mugs are being fleeced time and again. Time for Bellew to really test himself at Heavyweight against a Kubrat Pulev level fighter then get in against Wilder or Parker if he pumps Pulev. If not then retire as he has already exceeded his goals.
Jurgen you must be the manager of Dereck Chisora. Only Del Boy and yourself would walk away from a 6-800,000 PPV show to take on Kubrat 'paint drying' Pulev. Do you want Bellew to travel to Bulgaria too?
You're not being fleeced though if its a good contest, are you? Dont get me wrong, I thought the first fight was a bit of a joke and Haye would walk through him, but it proved a worthy contest. Neither of these two would bother the top fighters in the division, but at least appear evenly matched.
Does make you think what relationship does Haye have with McGuigan as there were no tactics followed in that corner from 1st bell apart from Haye wanting to decap Bellew from 6ft away! Surely if the injury was known there would have been a better plan than that?