Tony Bellew ‘begged’ David Haye to retire following his emphatic fifth-round stoppage at the O2 Arena
Liverpudlian dropped his rival twice before stoppage — but, in post-fight interview, Hayemaker refused to confirm this was the end
TONY BELLEW has urged David Haye to retire following his emphatic victory in their rematch at the O2 Arena.
The Liverpudlian scored a fifth-round knock-out, having dropped his rival twice before.
And, speaking after the fight, he begged his rival to hang up his gloves for good.
Asked whether he thought Haye should step into the ring again, he told iFL TV: “I hope not.
“I begged him as soon as he came over to me and grabbed hold of me — I begged him to stop.
“Boxing is not a sport — it’s a young man’s sport, it’s not a sport to be messing around with.
Bellew insists that, because of how much Haye relies on his body, his style of fighting will only get worse over time.
He added: “Don’t get me wrong, styles make fights bit his style will only deteriorate, it will not improve.
“He is a reflex power punching athlete, he is not a fighting man.
FINAL BELL Haye vs Bellew result: Tony Bellew beats David Haye again with fifth-round stoppage in huge rematch at O2 Arena
“I can literally describe every style of fighter to you and what his attributes are, what ticks for him, how it works for him.
“It’s boxing, it’s the only thing in the world I truly understand, because I don’t understand much else.
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“I don’t understand women, I’m trying my best at being a Dad. I’m not very good at that, I’m just trying my best at everything else.
“But I truly understand boxing — ain’t no one that can educate me when it comes to fighting.
“My coach can educate me on my style and improve it and make it better, but if someone comes to me and say breakdown a fight how should he beat him — I just know the sport.
“That’s 20 years of graft, 20 years of experience, that’s what it does to you.”
However, speaking after the defeat, Haye refused to immediately accept this was the end for his boxing career.
He explained: "I don’t know [if I will retire], it didn’t feel that great in there tonight, I’ll have to review the tape.”