BELLEW’S STARTING TO CRACK
Haye: I’m pushing rival to the edge
DAVID HAYE claims Tony Bellew is cracking under pressure after shoving him in the throat.
The Liverpudlian pushed his rival with his right arm during their face-off ahead of tomorrow’s heavyweight rematch at the O2 because he felt he was close enough to kiss him.
But two-weight world champ Haye says Bellew lashed out because he could not rile him with his insults yesterday at London’s Westminster Park Plaza.
Haye said: “The pressure’s got to him. He’s starting to crack.
“He couldn’t get to me verbally so he tried to get to me physically. Thankfully there were no chairs to hand or tripods like there were for Dereck Chisora!”
Haye punched Bellew at the press conference to announce their first fight, which Bellew won by an 11th-round stoppage, but claims he could not risk endangering the rematch.
Haye said: “This time round I learned my lesson. If I had punched him I would have cut him and the fight would be off.”
Bellew, 35, claims he reacted because Haye invaded his personal space.
The ex-WBC cruiserweight champ said: “He got too close to me and, as he got close, he put his forehead on me.
“If I’d stayed where I was, we would have kissed and it’s not that kind of party. Once I felt his breath on me, I had to remove him from the area.”
There was levity as well as aggro yesterday. Actor James Buckley, Jay Cartwright in The Inbetweeners, presented Adam Morallee from Team Haye with Will McKenzie’s briefcase and glasses because Bellew said he looked like the TV show character.
Haye, 37, admitted his “whole soul” is on the line tomorrow because he lost last time after rupturing his right Achilles in the sixth round.
He told Bellew from the dais: “You’re only as good as your last fight and my last fight was an 11-round stoppage by you. For me that just doesn’t sit right. That’s the worst finish to any career I could have.
“It would undo all the world title fights and great nights I’ve had.
“Everything is on the line, my reputation, my whole soul, and I will not allow Tony Bellew to get the win.”
Bellew replied that he would end Haye’s career tomorrow night.
The Scouser said: “This is a fight to the finish.
“There will be no rematch after this time, they will just close the curtain on you.”
If I’d punched him I would have cut him and the fight would be off DAVID HAYE