Haye vs Bellew: David Haye kept us waiting at Wednesday's workout but left us excited
Reflections from David Haye and Tony Bellew in the ring
Thursday 2 March 2017 10:43, UK
David Haye arrived at Wednesday's open workouts amid concerns about a rumoured injury, but shone under the lights...
Where was he? The half-an-hour wait for David Haye should have been expected - his Miami lifestyle, after all, is hardly conducive to accurate time-keeping. But on Wednesday at the open workouts, there was worry.
Rumours of an injury had dominated the day, arriving via Haye's own social media account but spreading like wildfire throughout the afternoon. His Achilles, they claimed, was the source of panic just three days before he finally locks horns with Tony Bellew, live on Sky Sports Box Office.
The ring, in the shadows of The O2 where the real fighting will take place on Saturday, was filled throughout Wednesday evening but Haye's fitness could have rendered the whole thing redundant. Shortly before 9pm, the laid-back Haye finally sauntered in and wrapped his hands.
Injured right shoulder? The first punch Haye threw was his trademark right cross, cracking the pads of his trainer Shane McGuigan. It was far from a full-power effort, but he made his point.
Suddenly, off came the t-shirt to reveal exactly how hard Haye had been working on America's east coast. A sculpture of muscle under the spotlight that illuminated him, Haye's movement quickened, his grunting grew louder, and the punches flowed faster and harder.
"Team Bellew have pegged their hopes on me having one leg, and that's where their confidence comes from," Haye said.
"I've found a time machine and gone back 10 years, I feel better than ever. Team Bellew have banked on the unknown. He said it to my face - he couldn't beat the old Haye but he can beat the 2017 version.
"This is the unveiling of the Hayemaker 2.0."
For all Haye's intensity, Bellew had previously appeared more relaxed than we've seen him in weeks.
Smiling from ear to ear, the WBC cruiserweight champion from Liverpool engaged with the ringside fans, embraced James DeGale at ringside, then boxed on the back foot alongside his trainer Dave Coldwell. A sign of what awaits us? Only they know.
Haye did manage one smile - several minutes into his shadow-boxing he replied warmly to a cheer from the crowd. "I'm a lean, mean, machine," he joked with Sky Sports' Johnny Nelson and his friend BJ Flores, a beaten foe of Bellew's.
Less than 10 miles from his south London home, Haye finally appeared like he was enjoying himself upon his return to elite boxing for the first time in nearly five years. It was not the appearance of an injured man…
