CALL IT A DAY, HAYE
BOXING history is littered with great champions who stayed around a little longer than they should have. David Haye will always be remembered as a great cruiserweight and heavyweight world champion, but he appeared to grow old in his second fight with Tony Bellew. It seems he no longer has his punch resistance. He can still see an opening to throw a punch, but is now hesitant to throw it.
Haye’s next move should be retirement. Being a lifelong fan of his, I would hate to see an idol stay around too long and become a stepping stone for young up-and-coming fighters. David, you are potentially a future Hall of Famer. Please do the right thing for yourself and all the fans who will always remember how great you were in your prime. Earl Hudson
WORTHY OF RESPECT
BOTH Tony Bellew and David Haye are clearly Marmite fighters to the majority – you either love them or hate them. Either way, both men deserve respect.
Firstly, congratulations to Bellew for his emphatic and compelling rematch victory over Haye. On what was clearly an emotional night for Tony, he pulled out the repeat win that he said he would, once again defying all those who doubted him. Andre Ward next? I for one wouldn’t bet against him.
And where now for Haye? There is no clear path, and it quite possibly could be the end of the road. If it is the final curtain, I will choose to remember the one-time great amateur and cruiserweight/heavyweight world champion. A fighter who never ducked a challenge and fought the very best. Jamie Ingleby
AN UNFORGIVING SPORT
SO, Tony Bellew wins again and moves on, while David Haye loses in dramatic fashion once more. Haye was a supreme athlete who will go down in history as a British boxing great, yet he has ended up with two hard-totake losses. Unfortunately, many stars end their careers this way. Rarely does this unforgiving sport let its stars leave without chastening losses, and Haye proved to be no exception.
What next for Bellew? A big-money fight with Deontay Wilder, Andre Ward or Tyson Fury? If I was him, I’d choose to retire and dine out on my wins over the once-great Haye. That would certainly be bucking the trend. Mike Hills
PERFECT EXAMPLES
LAST month’s Sean Dodd vs Tommy Coyle fight in Liverpool and Carl Frampton vs Nonito Donaire fight in Belfast were exemplary shows of genuine first-class sportsmanship, both pre and post-fight. For any young amateur boxers being told to study footage of Larry Holmes’ jab, Sugar Ray Leonard’s footwork and Roberto Duran’s in-fighting, they should also be encouraged to watch Dodd, Coyle, Frampton and Donaire to see what correct conduct, mutual respect and true sportsmanship looks like. If a contrasting example was needed, just take a look at Adrien Broner Paul Thorpe
STEADY, EDDIE
THERE is a fine line between overselling a fight and testing the public’s intelligence. In March, Eddie Hearn informed us that Dillian Whyte’s performance against the sluggish Lucas Browne was world class and he was ready to fight Deontay Wilder. Then in April, Amir Khan was touted as being similarly ready for the best, having stopped an opponent no one had heard of. Khan may well be ready to fight the likes of Kell Brook, but not because of beating Phil Lo Greco. Simon Collins