All eyes were on London’s O2 Arena this weekend, with the rematch between Tony Bellew and David Haye taking place in front of a sell-out crowd. The first bout between the pair ended with Tony Bellew scoring a TKO late on, encouraged in many ways due to an Achilles injury sustained by Haye in the sixth. This time around Haye said he felt in the best shape of his life, but Bellew didn’t let that stop him once again claiming victory over his bitter rival.
The first round seemed to be a bit of a tactical battle as both men looked to work each other out, before things really came to life in the third. Bellew was superb as he managed to avoid a Haye onslaught before delivering a left hook and then a right to put Haye down on the canvas, Bellew smelt blood. A second knockdown soon followed, with many expecting Bellew to finish the fight there and then before the Hayemaker was saved by the bell.
Bellew, 35, really was at his explosive best, with both his offensive and defensive strategies paying dividends. The Evertonian, who was once again not fancied by the bookmakers, didn’t have to wait much longer before ending Haye’s night, and potentially, his career. In the fifth round Bellew managed to work an opportunity to deliver one of his trademark left hooks and this sent Haye to the floor again. The Hayemaker did get back to his feet but Bellew launched an intense attack which saw Howard Foster step in to stop the bout going any further.
In many ways, Bellew once again defied the odds, with the whole world seemingly backing David Haye to triumph in the rematch. However, Haye was not only out fought, he was outclassed, and this is more than likely the end for him as a professional boxer, with Haye now likely to turn full time promoter and trainer. The Hayemaker had spoken before the fight about his plans to retire if he didn’t win, and if he didn’t win in style; and on the night, he did neither.
Bellew on the other hand is on top of the world right now, and even at 35, still has time left for more big fights. He’s proven himself not to be scared of anyone in the ring and has always spoken about wanting to test himself against the very best. After the bout against Haye, Bellew called out Tyson Fury, who is set to return to action in the ring imminently after a near three-year absence. There is no doubt that boxing fans would relish this fight, and anyone who fancies a flutter can go to sports sites like Betting.com; which has the latest sports news and commentary for everyone to review. There has been a rivalry between the pair in the past, although there is a lot of mutual respect too, and it would certainly be a fight that the fans would like to see.
So, for Haye, it looks like this is the end, especially at 37 years old with a body that has been riddled by serious injuries for a while. The last two victories for Bellew look to have given him a new lease of life, and after enjoying a well deserved break where he plans to get married, we’re sure to see him in a big fight once again.
