Bellew claims ‘win-at-all-costs’ mindset will bring second win

Tony Bellew believes one of the fundamental differences between himself and David Haye is his win-at-all-costs mentality as he plots to upset the odds once again on 5 May.

Bellew was an overwhelming underdog going into last year’s first grudge encounter but was ahead on all three of the judges’ scorecards when he stopped his heavyweight rival in the 11th round at London’s O2 Arena.

The victory was slightly soured as Haye visibly struggled after rupturing an Achilles tendon during the fight. The former cruiserweight and heavyweight world champion is the favourite to gain revenge at the same venue.

Asked what his motivation is, Bellew said: “To prove everyone wrong – again. The plan is just to do it again and win at all costs. That’s the difference between me and him. I have to win. I’m not someone who can come home and just accept losing.

“I’m a winner through and through and that’s one of my strongest attributes, I have to win and I’ll do whatever takes to win on 5 May.”

The build-up to their first bout was marred by controversy, with Haye fined £25,000 by the British Boxing Board of Control after admitting his pre-fight comments brought boxing into disrepute.

Haye has adopted a respectful tone recently but Bellew has scoffed at suggestions he is a changed man. Bellew said: “He’s about as humble as Madonna. He’s just got humble pie on his face because what he said, he didn’t do. Everything I said in the build-up came true. This is the fella who said he was going to render me unconscious, who said I’m the worst world champion in history ever. I don’t forget that. Those thoughts don’t change overnight.” Middlesex spinner Ollie Rayner has branded plans for the England and Wales Crickets Board’s new 100-ball competition a “hoax”.

The ECB announced plans last week to develop a brand new format, “the Hundred”, for the eight-team franchise tournament that will launch in two years, but many have questioned the logic of abandoning the popular Twenty20 model.

One of the ECB’S main intentions is to simplify the game for a new audience, specifically women and children, but the suggested breakdown of 15 regular six-ball overs plus one extended ten-ball over is already threatening to muddy the waters.