Thursday 9 March 2017 20:14, UK
David Haye has reiterated his trust in his trainer, Shane McGuigan, who threw in the towel in the 11th round to hand Tony Bellew victory.
Haye was left hobbling on a damaged Achilles from the sixth round but valiantly fought on, only for McGuigan to withdraw him in the penultimate period to seal Bellew's stunning triumph.
"I believe Shane gave me ample time to turn the fight around - five rounds, basically," Haye exclusively told Sky Sports.
Maybe he wanted to save me for another day. I trust his opinion, I back him.
"I had to do something to change the flow of the fight. I did a couple of times, I landed some big shots that hurt him, but I couldn't close the range to finish him off.
"If Shane threw the towel in, he saw something. Maybe he wanted to save me for another day. I trust his opinion, I back him.
"I wish the towel didn't come in, and I wish he didn't do it. But he did it, and I respect his opinion."
Haye teamed up with McGuigan to relaunch his career a year ago and they have worked together for three fights, with Bellew regularly questioning the strength of their relationship in a heated build-up to last weekend's fight.
The 36-year-old has since told Sky Sports News HQ that he wants a rematch but Bellew has been non-committal on his future, even admitting that his trainer Dave Coldwell wants him to retire.
