The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Bellew’s biggest fight will be to convince wife he should box on
Tony Bellew has insisted he will continue to fight and has targeted Tyson Fury and Andre Ward as potential future opponents.
The 35-year-old stopped David Haye in five rounds in their rematch at London’s 02 Arena, dropping the former WBA heavyweight champion three times and leaving him to consider retirement.
Bellew’s trainer Dave Coldwell and his promoter Eddie Hearn revealed they would prefer their fighter to retire,.
Despite his victories at heavyweight and the fact he continues to improve, Bellew recognises his natural size compared to that of reigning world champions Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder means they are too big and powerful for him to challenge.
Regardless, he considers the less powerful Fury a worthwhile risk and believes American Ward – a world champion at super-middleweight and light-heavyweight – can be tempted out of retirement.
“It’s hard when you’ve had your defining moment in this sport. What am I chasing?,” Bellew said.
“I like fighting and challenges, and I’ve definitely got a screw loose, so I’ll keep fighting until the screw detaches itself.
“I’ll see if I can talk (wife) Rachael round and we’ll go from there. That’s my biggest fight.
“My first words to (Haye, postfight) were ‘Please stop’. This is a very unforgiving sport, it’s a young man’s game for the attributes Haye relies on.
“I’ll beat Andre Ward. An amazing fighter, but I will beat him.
“I’d love to knock Tyson Fury out, I really would, and I know I can flatten him. But (I’m not waiting for the returning Fury to have) three or four fights.”
Bellew had struggled with the death of his brother-in-law Ashley Roberts last year.
He said: “It’s been emotionally one of the worst camps I’ve had, and I’m in a room at night crying myself to sleep. It’s hard losing a brotherin-law, your missus and the family is broken.
“I had his dad there (ringside), his brothers, and I left an empty seat (for Roberts) - they’re not cheap but I know he was there and I dedicate this fight to him. My life’s a mess but it all makes sense in a boxing ring.