I think it's more that Brits prefer humble to arrogant......E.g. Joshua's persona. Talent and success is appreciated 100%.... Naseem Hamed.... Benn/Eubank.... Hatton.... Joshua.... The whole Benn/Eubank think is a good example actually. Benn was generally preferred because of Eubank's arrogance.
I like Bellew. A lot of the hate he gets in the UK is solely down to the fact he's a scouser..... Which is a shame, as it's pretty obvious he's a humble and down to earth bloke (Still does the school run outside of camp). I personally put him on a level field with Haye when it comes to achievements. Sure Haye won a HW title, but it was against a guy who Holyfield beat 12 months earlier...and then you factor in his 2 losses to Bellew (Injuries, or no injuries). I will say this about Bellew.... For a man who constantly goes on about how much he 'knows boxing' and nobody can match his 'boxing brain', surely he'd back himself to beat Wilder? He can't use the 'size' excuse....he's bigger than Povetkin.