Haye vs Bellew Saturday – Big Punches To Follow Big Talk? If you have followed the build-up to this Saturday night’s heavyweight fight between David Haye and Tony Bellew, you know that this one is a classic grudge match in every sense of the term.
There is something about David Haye, either you love him or you hate him. The former cruiserweight and heavyweight world champion is 2-0 in his recent comeback. After a layoff of three-and-a-half years the two fights Haye has fought have been against fighters of a different level. Haters of Haye, and you can count Bellew among them, say that he is looking for the easy way to a title shot and big money fights and he is not willing to pay his dues. Haye has put on a publicity campaign that has seen him posing with Rolls Royces and sipping champagne that confirms his image as “pampered.”
Enter Bellew, a cruiserweight world champion in his own right. He has defended the belt on several occasions and he has proven his mettle as a tough guy. At one point in his career, he worked as a spring partner for David Haye and Bellew feels that gives him insights into Haye. Those insights fuel his confidence for this fight and Bellew has even claimed he knocked Haye out during a sparring session. Haye was able to generate a lot of attention for his comeback and his two fights, though not competitive in the least, have been notable events. None of that sits well with Bellew and he has firmly stepped up to try to end Haye’s roller coaster ride. The two came to blows during one of the pre-fight press conferences and the pair are being kept away from each other for the rest of the build up to the fight. Comments Haye made about hurting Bellew are being “investigated” by the British Boxing Board of Control and Bellew continues to use social media to spew bitter vitriol Haye’s way.
Haye was a heavyweight champion when he was a blown-up cruiserweight, but one thing he did during his layoff was pack on lean muscle. He now weighs 235 pounds and he is a full blown heavyweight who, at 36-years-old is still retains speed and KO power. Bellew is a champion at 200 pounds and for this one he is going to avoid the weight cut and enter the bout around 220 pounds.
Sam Eggington (19-3) is defending his WBC International title at welterweight against the challenge of veteran Paulie Malignaggi (36-7). Malignaggi has gone 3-0 since his August of 2015 loss to Adrien Broner, and that has included two fights in Europe for the former two-weight class world champion.
The WBC’s Silver title at 140 pounds is being defended by Ohara Davies (14-0) as he faces British veteran Derry Matthews (38-11-2). Mathews is a well-liked and gritty performer who is coming off two world title fights in a row where he took losses. The veteran needs a win to stop the slide, but he is facing a 25-year-old undefeated fighter who has 11 KOs in his 14 wins.
Haye vs Bellew Saturday – Big Punches Follow Big Talk?
Heavyweight 12 rounds –
Tony Bellew +550 o7½ +190
David Haye -800 u7½ -230
Welterweight 12 rounds –
Paul Malignaggi +195
Sam Eggington -235
Super Lightweight 12 rounds –
Derry Mathews +450
Ohara Davies -600
Haye vs Bellew Saturday – Big Punches Follow Big Talk? / Check out more boxing news and features at The Sweet Science, where the best boxing writers write.
[related_post_one]
Spring Training is already heating up. Get your baseball right here.
