Haye vs Bellew: Preview for heavyweight grudge fight
Saturday 4 March 2017 22:39, UK
Your one-stop preview for David Haye's heavyweight grudge fight with Tony Bellew...
Background
The British rivals will share the ring this Saturday night at The O2, live on Sky Sports Box Office, and both fighters have vowed to end their feud with a destructive victory.
Bellew sparked a war of words when he called for a domestic clash with Haye in his post-fight interview after knocking out Ilunga Makabu to claim the WBC cruiserweight title at Goodison Park last May
Both men had shared a fiery sparring session in the past, but Haye mocked this verbal challenge until the Merseysider climbed out of the ring to confront him following his stoppage win over BJ Flores in October.
Haye agreed to face Bellew at heavyweight and they have set the scene for the showdown by trading blows and insults at bad-tempered press conferences.
What the fighters say
He'll find out what it's like to be hit by a heavyweight, it's a whole different sport. He's unprepared, and he doesn't know it.
He is a fantastic athlete and great aesthetically. But I am going to knock 10 bells out of him tomorrow night, I really will.
What the trainers say
What other fighters say
I would love it if Bellew landed a 'hayemaker' and put a sock in David Haye's mouth for a bit. I'm supporting him.
Tony got under his skin a little bit and David has really taken it out in the gym. I think that is going to manifest itself on Saturday.
I just hope Bellew can knock him off his rhythm and beat him. I want him to knock Haye out once and for all.
What the experts say
For David Haye, this fight was already a big risk but it seems to be turning into an even bigger risk.
Bellew has a very good boxing brain, he'll make Haye work for the first few rounds and drag him into the latter part of the fight.
Haye is the bigger, more explosive guy so you could lean towards a knockout, but if Bellew navigates the initial onslaught then it could get interesting.
The weigh-in
David Haye: 16st 9oz
Tony Bellew: 15st 3lbs 8oz
