Tony Bellew beats former world champion for the second time with technical stoppage
David Haye’s career as a two-weight world champion may have ended here last night in the feverish atmosphere of the O2 Arena after a shorter, even more dramatic fight than their first meeting, with Haye stopped in the fifth round, after being dropped twice in the third.
It was billed as repeat or revenge. For Haye, it was about “revenge”, a fight he had to emerge triumphant from. For Tony Bellew, it was about proving it was no fluke.
And two minutes 14 seconds into the fifth stanza, Bellew ended Haye’s 16year career, a decorated one as a former world cruiserweight and heavyweight champion. Haye’s timing has gone, even though he still has desire, but retirement must be on the cards. “Doubt me now,” said Bellew. But it was referee Howard Foster who made the right call with a merciful stoppage in that dramatic fifth round, with Haye having been felled on his face, his neck and head torqued by a left hook in an exchange as the Londoner, hurt but still dangerous, threw caution to the wind with his own right hand and left hook.
It was billed as the last ring walk, the last hurrah for David Deron Haye, if he failed to win in his grudge rematch with Tony Bellew.
Haye really does look a faded fighter, and his tenacious nemesis Bellew exploited his inactivity of just four fights in six years.
First time around, with Haye rupturing an Achilles tendon in round six, the fight left more questions than answers. This time, Bellew did exactly what he needed to do, with an inspired performance.
But one thing is for sure: now that Haye has lost for a second time, this really is the last hurrah for the destructive puncher from Bermondsey who strutted his way to being unified world cruiserweight champion and then World Boxing Association world heavyweight champion. They were great days, but, in reality, long ago.
The talk of the town with Haye was that with four fights in six years, and a catalogue of injuries, and it showed. Haye’s body is finally showing all the signs of age in his 38th year.
The plan this time around was for Haye to do his “talking in the ring” having been far too verbose in the first encounter.
But it was not to be last night, as Bellew’s sharpness and timing told in the exchanges from his activity as a fighter. Tonight was Haye’s last ring walk.
Or it should be. The truth is we now know what he has left.