Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
A BIG WIN.. OR I’M OUT
Haye says only an easy win will do in Bellew rematch
DAVID HAYE has vowed to retire from boxing unless he can “emphatically” beat Tony Bellew in their grudge heavyweight rematch.
The Hayemaker lost in a huge upset in March after rupturing his Achilles mid-fight, but now has an opportunity to exact revenge on December 17.
Haye still has ambitions to recapture the world heavyweight title, but said: “This is how serious it is, even if I win, but it’s on a split decision, or I get legitimately knocked down, I’m not as good as I should be.
“If I’ve got ambitions to be the heavyweight champion of the world again, you need to be able to deal with Bellew comfortably – he’s not a heavyweight.
“If I can’t beat him emphatically, I’m not as good as I want to be. I can forget about world title aspirations.
“If Anthony Joshua got in the ring with Bellew, I believe he could knock him out in the first minute if he wanted. If I can’t do that, I’m not as good as I believe I am. If that’s the case,
I’ll find something else to do that I am good at.”
Haye, 36, is confident of victory due to his belief that Bellew, 34, does not have the same desire this time following a career-high payday.
“I’m very happy that
Bellew secured his family’s future,” Haye added. “He’s a multimillionaire. But what’s his motivation now?
“People rob banks to secure their family. But when you rob a bank once, do you go back to the same bank? Is his desire as strong?”
However, tragedy in Bellew’s personal life has given him perspective. He revealed: “What I have been through over the last month, I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemies. I’ve buried my brother-in-law in the last fortnight, people have no idea, this is just another fight.”
Tyson Fury will not seek to get his licence reinstated by the British Boxing Board of Control after it was revoked a year ago over doping allegations. He tweeted: “I will not be applying for a BBBOFC licence. After the way they have handled stuff, no thanks.”