Only a ‘murder’ will change drug bans
BELLEW FEARS ‘CHEAT’ WILL KILL A RIVAL
TONY BELLEW claims boxing’s authorities will not clamp down on drug cheats until someone is “murdered” in the ring.
The Liverpudlian, who faces David Haye in their rematch at The O2 on May 5, also claims Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez’s lenient six-month ban for his two failed tests will not deter the cheats.
Former WBC cruiserweight champion Bellew believes that drug taking is rife in boxing all the way through the professional ranks.
He said: “If Canelo (right) has taken drugs then ban him.
“But it genuinely won’t change until – and I’m sorry to say it – until someone dies at the hands of someone on steroids, because then it’s premeditated murder.
“When that happens you will see the sport change, but until that defining moment you will not see it. When someone dies – and touch wood it isn’t me – they will start banning people for life.
“It will take someone losing their life because people understand that lives are more important than money.
“If someone dies at the hands of a drug cheat it will change, but why does that have to happen?”
Bellew was speaking as he prepared for Haye, 37, and claimed the twoweight world champion is under massive pressure because he knows his career will be over if he loses again to him. “For David Haye, I have been where he will be on May 5 when he walks to the ring,” he said. “He will be walking to the ring under massive pressure, thinking if I lose this, it’s the end of my career. “I have been in that position where you’re walking in and all the pressure is on you five or six times in my career, like Cleverly II, Chilemba II. “Believe me, he is going to lose again.”