Connect with us

Canada and USA

Haye Must Beat Bellew To Cash Out vs. Joshua or Fury

For Tony Bellew, it was the signature win of his career – and for David Haye, it was the most frustrating and humiliating night of his career.

Share The Sweet Science experience!

Published

on

signature

For Tony Bellew, it was the signature win of his career – and for David Haye, it was the most frustrating and humiliating night of his career.

Haye was leading on the scorecards after five rounds (although hardly stellar) when he suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon. After that, he couldn’t sustain his balance, nor could he get any leverage on his punches, and that led Bellew, sensing Haye’s extreme predicament, to fight more boldly. In the 11th round, with Bellew now ahead by three points on all three cards, Haye’s leg gave out after taking some shots to the head and he fell out of the ring. He managed to climb back in, beating the count, but his trainer Shane McGuigan threw in the towel and with that Bellew, a huge underdog, scored a monumental upset.

Since that bout, neither has fought and Haye 28-3 (26) insists he’s completely recovered from his injury.

In the rematch more than bragging rights are on the line. Haye needs to prove he lost because he was injured and rusty and Bellew 29-2-1 (19), being that he couldn’t finish off a crippled Haye, needs to convince skeptics he has the power and strength to compete among the heavyweight elite. Victory for the winner will be a needed injection for his career and no doubt propel him into another high profile bout or even a title shot…something that probably applies a little more to Haye since he’s the more established fighter as a heavyweight.

Going into their first fight, Haye was a part-time fighter and really hadn’t strained in a fight since July of 2012 when he stopped contender Dereck Chisora. For that fight he was a fit 210, opposed to the 224.5 he was for Bellew. Haye’s disposition in the early going against Bellew was one of contempt, as if he didn’t have a morsel of respect for Tony. (It reminded me of Evander Holyfield’s nonchalant smugness before and during his first fight with Lennox Lewis. Holyfield, out of character, predicted a quick knockout when there was no reason to believe it was plausible.) Haye fought lazy as if he could get Bellew out of there with one shot whenever he wanted to.

Other than jabbing to the body — and that was just an attempt to get Tony’s hands down — David didn’t sustain any semblance of offense and telegraphed his big right hand and that was before the injury. Bellew smartly picked up on what Haye was trying to do and had the ineffective Haye swinging at mostly air. After Haye became a hampered fighter, even then Bellew was measured and couldn’t really dominate his opponent, who along with fighting on one leg was spent from missing so many big punches. Granted, Bellew scored one of the biggest upsets in British boxing history, but the ending really was inconclusive.

Haye says this is a make-or-break fight for him: “Even if I win the fight but don’t look as impressive as I want to, I’ll call it quits…I’ve got a lot to prove after the first fight when I was terrible. I looked like an amateur swinging and missing. I don’t believe that I gave a good account of myself….But this time around I intend to show the world what I have got left. Last time I underestimated him and overestimated myself. I thought I was better than him.”

Yes, Haye, 37, underestimated Bellew, 35, as did just about everyone else in the boxing world.

Against Haye the first time, Bellew showed that he was very patient. Quickly gleaning that Haye was looking for the home run, he never attempted to beat him exchanging, allowing David to almost hang himself with his scattered strategy.

Heading into the rematch, Bellew exudes confidence. “I’ve got a good boxing brain and I can adapt and adjust to any situation. If I use my brain and I make the right adjustments at the right times I’ll have rid of David Haye before the eighth round,” he said at the final press conference.

This conveys the message that Bellew is expecting Haye to come out aggressive and look for the quick execution. Fully believing he won’t get it, Tony must be assuming he’ll make David miss and become winded after a quick start – and once he’s slowed there will be no second wind for Haye and that’s when he can go to work, which is actually a sound strategy based on what he learned during their last fight. Bellew knows he out-waited and out-smarted Haye more than he actually beat him up in what would unfold as the low point of Haye’s career.

This time, with so much riding on the outcome, in addition to wanting to prove that the first fight was a fluke, one must believe Haye will bring his A-game, or at least what remains of it. At least that is what he has promised. Bellew is also motivated because he didn’t receive full credit for winning the first time. Bellew insists Haye is back to rob the bank and that his dream of winning the heavyweight title is a pipe dream because he won’t survive their rematch. Prior to the first meeting it was obvious Bellew was able to get under Haye’s skin, which doesn’t seem to be the case this time as much as Bellew has tried to in subtle ways.

It’s not a reevaluation to suggest Haye is the better equipped fighter under normal circumstances. But David is aging almost in dog years. Against Bellew, he seemed to be laboring even before the injury and he was carrying too much weight. He’s no doubt pushed himself in preparing for this fight, but in all honesty I don’t have complete confidence his body won’t fail him again. But even at that, I think he perhaps has one more good night left in him.

Bellew is not wrong in suggesting Haye is fighting to rob the bank, but not against him. With a win over his rival Bellew, assuming it’s at least moderately conclusive, Haye will lobby for a big money fight against either Anthony Joshua or Tyson Fury and his chances of getting it are outstanding. Haye is a huge draw in the UK and a matchup versus either Joshua or Fury would be a monumental money maker. And sadly, I think that’s driving Haye as much as beating Bellew is. He knows he’s lucky to get another shot to win the Joshua/Fury sweepstakes after it nearly blew up against Bellew last year and it’s hard to imagine he lets this opportunity elude him if he has anything left as a fighter.

If Haye’s body holds up and his emotions don’t get the better of him, I think he has enough left to better Bellew. If Haye uses his strength smartly and steadily puts just enough pressure on Bellew without looking for the highlight reel show-stopping shots, at worst he should have the better of it over 12 rounds and win a decision.

Were Haye to lose to Bellew for the second consecutive time, his career as a big money fighter is over for good – but I’m just not convinced that day has arrived yet. In the event Bellew wins, the options that would have gone to Haye just might fall to him (even though Bellew has said candidly that he’d stand no chance against Anthony Joshua).

Frank Lotierzo can be contacted at GlovedFist@Gmail.com

Check out more boxing news on video at The Boxing Channel

To comment on this article at The Fight Forum, CLICK HERE.

Share The Sweet Science experience!
Advertisement
Newspaperman-Playwright-Author-Bobby-Cassidy-Jr-Commemorates-his-Fighting-Father
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Newspaperman/Playwright/Author Bobby Cassidy Jr Commemorates His Fighting Father

A-Night-of-Mismatches-Turns-Topsy-Turvy-at-Mandalay-Bay-Resendiz-Shocks-Plant
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

A Night of Mismatches Turns Topsy-Turvy at Mandalay Bay; Resendiz Shocks Plant

Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

Vito-Mielnicki-Whitewashes-Kamil-Gardzielik-Before-the-Home-Folks-in-Newark
Featured Articles3 days ago

Vito Mielnicki Jr Whitewashes Kamil Gardzielik Before the Home Folks in Newark

Vinny-Paz-is-Going-into-the-Boxing-Hall-of-Fame-Hey-why-Not-Roger-Mayweather?
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Vinny Paz is Going into the Boxing Hall of Fame; Hey, Why Not Roger Mayweather?

Remembering-the-Under-Appreciated-Body-Snatcher-Mike-McCallum,-a-Conusmmate-Pro
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Remembering the Under-Appreciated “Body Snatcher” Mike McCallum, a Consummate Pro    

Avila-Perspective-Chap-228-Viva-Las-Vegas-Back-in-the-Boxing-Spotlight
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 228: Viva Las Vegas, Back in the Boxing Spotlight

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap 329: Pacquiao is Back, Fabio in England and More

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Results-and-Recaps-from-Las-Vegas-Where-Melikuziev-Nipped-Fulghum-in-a-Fierce-Fight
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Results and Recaps from Las Vegas Where Melikuziev Nipped Fulghum in a Fierce Battle

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles1 week ago

Catching Up with Clay Moyle Who Talks About His Massive Collection of Boxing Books

Delving-Into-'Hoopa'-With-Notes-on-Books-by-George-Plimpton-and-Joyce-Carol-Oates
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Delving into ‘Hoopla’ with Notes on Books by George Plimpton and Joyce Carol Oates

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles1 week ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles6 days ago

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

Brian-Norman-Jr-Bombs-Out-Jin-Sasaki-with-a-Frightful-Left-Hook
Featured Articles5 days ago

Brian Norman Jr Bombs Out Jin Sasaki with a Frightful Left Hook

Avila-Perspective-Chap-331-Callum-Walsh-Brian-Norman-Galal-Yafai-and-More
Featured Articles4 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 331: Callum Walsh, Brian Norman, Galal Yafai and More

Callum-Walsh-Umar-Dzambekov-and-Cain-Sandoval-Remain-Unbeaten-at-Santa-Ynez
Featured Articles2 days ago

Callum Walsh, Umar Dzambekov and Cain Sandoval Remain Unbeaten at Santa Ynez

More-Medals-for-Hawaii's-Patricio-Family-at-USA-Boxing's-Summer-Festival
Featured Articles23 hours ago

More Medals for Hawaii’s Patricio Family at the USA Boxing Summer Festival

More-Medals-for-Hawaii's-Patricio-Family-at-USA-Boxing's-Summer-Festival
Featured Articles23 hours ago

More Medals for Hawaii’s Patricio Family at the USA Boxing Summer Festival

Callum-Walsh-Umar-Dzambekov-and-Cain-Sandoval-Remain-Unbeaten-at-Santa-Ynez
Featured Articles2 days ago

Callum Walsh, Umar Dzambekov and Cain Sandoval Remain Unbeaten at Santa Ynez

Vito-Mielnicki-Whitewashes-Kamil-Gardzielik-Before-the-Home-Folks-in-Newark
Featured Articles3 days ago

Vito Mielnicki Jr Whitewashes Kamil Gardzielik Before the Home Folks in Newark

Avila-Perspective-Chap-331-Callum-Walsh-Brian-Norman-Galal-Yafai-and-More
Featured Articles4 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 331: Callum Walsh, Brian Norman, Galal Yafai and More

Brian-Norman-Jr-Bombs-Out-Jin-Sasaki-with-a-Frightful-Left-Hook
Featured Articles5 days ago

Brian Norman Jr Bombs Out Jin Sasaki with a Frightful Left Hook

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles6 days ago

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles1 week ago

Catching Up with Clay Moyle Who Talks About His Massive Collection of Boxing Books

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles1 week ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap 329: Pacquiao is Back, Fabio in England and More

Delving-Into-'Hoopa'-With-Notes-on-Books-by-George-Plimpton-and-Joyce-Carol-Oates
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Delving into ‘Hoopla’ with Notes on Books by George Plimpton and Joyce Carol Oates

Remembering-the-Under-Appreciated-Body-Snatcher-Mike-McCallum,-a-Conusmmate-Pro
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Remembering the Under-Appreciated “Body Snatcher” Mike McCallum, a Consummate Pro    

A-Night-of-Mismatches-Turns-Topsy-Turvy-at-Mandalay-Bay-Resendiz-Shocks-Plant
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

A Night of Mismatches Turns Topsy-Turvy at Mandalay Bay; Resendiz Shocks Plant

Results-and-Recaps-from-Las-Vegas-Where-Melikuziev-Nipped-Fulghum-in-a-Fierce-Fight
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Results and Recaps from Las Vegas Where Melikuziev Nipped Fulghum in a Fierce Battle

Avila-Perspective-Chap-228-Viva-Las-Vegas-Back-in-the-Boxing-Spotlight
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 228: Viva Las Vegas, Back in the Boxing Spotlight

Vinny-Paz-is-Going-into-the-Boxing-Hall-of-Fame-Hey-why-Not-Roger-Mayweather?
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Vinny Paz is Going into the Boxing Hall of Fame; Hey, Why Not Roger Mayweather?

Newspaperman-Playwright-Author-Bobby-Cassidy-Jr-Commemorates-his-Fighting-Father
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Newspaperman/Playwright/Author Bobby Cassidy Jr Commemorates His Fighting Father

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending