Live Fight Thread

by Pedro147 Sat Mar 04, 2017 9:43 pm

First topic message reminder :

Anybody watching tonight?

Hard to see Paulie losing like that, a shell of himself. Hopefully he calls it a day. Pretty poor card so far, not that I expected differently.

by Scottrf Sat Mar 04, 2017 11:55 pm

Not a single honest word spoken in analysis after the fight.

by wheelchair1991 Sat Mar 04, 2017 11:58 pm

I switched it off as I feared that might be the case

by **owen10ozzy** Sat Mar 04, 2017 11:59 pm

I hurt him...I'm sorry...he didn't hurt him! Haye just couldn't get to his legs. This is what I hate...the love in is pathetic. Just say...massive victory...well done...but just say..Haye was injured it takes the shine off..he wants to do it again then we will. I had Haye 4 rounds up by the 6th

by hogey Sun Mar 05, 2017 12:06 am

This sport never fails to surprise does it, Haye was never gonna lose that in a million years without a freak injury and what happens a freak injury. I have to give Haye credit for trying to fight on, but he should have been pulled put immediately the fact the Bellew could not stop a cripple who could not walk or punch properly is frankly embarrassing.
I reckon Hearn will try and avoid a rematch for now and instead line him up to cash in for a fight for one of the heavyweight belts, then after he gets smashed finish with one more payday against Haye which he will lose badly next time.

by BoxingFan88 Sun Mar 05, 2017 12:27 am

Well done Tony Bellew, you said that would happen and that's what did happen

Everyone on here talked about Haye's injuries and the fact that if it went to a hard fight then his body could fall apart, be it the shoulder or Achilles

Bellew took some helacious shots from Haye and kept to his plan

Let's give Bellew credit for one of the biggest upsets in recent memory shall we?

I got it wrong, I can admit it, no excuses

He won fair and square

by Herman Jaeger Sun Mar 05, 2017 12:30 am

Though probable it's not set in stone that Bellew would have lost bar the injury was timing the right hand counter well and Haye's timing and range a little out

Haye starting to land a bit just before the injury though thrilling fight best in quite a while Haye showed a lot of bottle and Bellew surprised a lot of people with that performance fight winner of Huck Breidis but he won't of course

by catchweight Sun Mar 05, 2017 12:31 am

Well that was an odd one.

Bellew becoming a major rival to Carl Froch's title of the most delusional "down to earth" bloke in British boxing.

Both fighters gave everything they had I think, so credit for that. But neither of them were much good. Even with two fully functioning legs, Haye looked sloppy. Ive always thought at heavyweight Haye was overrated with an overblown sense of his own power. But for the 5 rounds he was healthy he looked to have regressed even further into just relying on wild, looping power shots trying to end the fight (Bellew stood up to the few that landed pretty well for a guy who was floored at light heavy an cruiser).

Bellew made hard going of beating a pretty defenceless Haye although made a surprisingy good fist of frustrating Haye early on. But Tony Bellew, ppv heavyweight star? Scary.

There were rumours circling a few days before the fight that Haye was going to pull out with an achilles injury and had been to Germany to see a specialist. Both guys predictably best mates at the end and already in selling the rematch for another big pay day. Maybe even a trilogy. So probably winners all round in that regard.

by hogey Sun Mar 05, 2017 12:37 am

Thing is i credit Bellew for doing his bit, but he won a fight he was gonna lose without that leg going, Haye had hardly broke sweat up to that point. I am guessing after the Fury cancellations he didn't want to dare out again so went in injured, even then before his roof collapsed he was pretty much in control and likely gonna finish a tiring Bellew sooner rather than later because lets be fair its pretty obvious Bellew didnt possess the power to hurt Haye and once Haye realised he could walk through him he would have ended it.

by BoxingFan88 Sun Mar 05, 2017 12:39 am

But we already knew all this right?

And still everyone said it was a mismatch and Bellew had no chance, me included

Can't have it both ways, you take the L, when you make predictions like that, you take in all the facts, nothing was hidden from us.

Most of us including me probably thought Haye would KO Bellew with the first few shots he landed

by catchweight Sun Mar 05, 2017 1:19 am

Haye probably would have won without the leg injury. Id be almost certain of it. But Bellew was making him look pretty ordinary even prior to the injury. It was supposed to be a mismatch but even before Haye did his leg, it was competitve. Haye was missing mostly, with big wide shots. When he did land Bellew took them. I think Bellew was better than most envisaged but equally Haye was pretty average. This was set up for him to plow through Bellew (who would collect a nice packet for being the fall guy) and set up a mega fight with Joshua later. Im certain this was the Sky / Matchroom intention. On that evidence neither of them would pose a big threat to the top heavyweights. Despite the kind of cynical, manufactured nature of the fight both guys pretty much gave everything they had though. I had feared this would be a Haye Harrson mark 2.

Huge result for Sky and Matchroom though. This one could have been made look bad but it was pretty much the best possible outcome for them. Eddie Hearn will be able stick Joshua v Roy Jones on ppv now and say "well nobody gave Bellew a chance...."

by spencerclarke Sun Mar 05, 2017 7:12 am

Most class shown from the boxing world on twitter again I see. Tyson Fury, Billy Joe Saunders and Rocky Fielding.

Here's an idea for their teams, if they really are so bigoted and or offensive maybe take access to twitter off them.

It was bad enough what Haye said in the lead up without this.

by Guest Sun Mar 05, 2017 8:05 am

Both Bellew and Haye had sharp reflexes that meant there was very few hard punches landing cleanly. Rounds 1 to 6 were fairly cagey, with Haye moving forward with his crab like style and Bellew countering. Haye was wild quite early on and missing, but then it settled down, and it seemed like Haye was winning on points.

Then came the right leg injury to Haye in the sixth and the fight changed to one fighter trying to finish off an injured animal. But Bellew wasn't able to finish Haye off in the sixth or early in the seventh, so it became cagey again from Bellew. Bellew could have just wrestled Haye to the floor. Towards the end Haye resorted to lunging at Bellew and then stumbling. At the end Bellew had him against the ropes and Haye was moving his upper body sharply to avoid taking head punches, this caused him to stumble and fall through the ropes, and then the towel was thrown.

I think without the leg injury Haye would have won on points. I don't think Haye was able to land a clean hard head punch on Bellew, while Bellew didn't have the power to knock Haye out - and he didn't land much either. A cagey fight between two fighters with sharp reflexes, with Haye missing wildly with his heavy ammunition shots.

by TRUSSMAN66 Sun Mar 05, 2017 8:11 am

A win is a win and it's a very good win.....Congratulations to him...

Haven't seen it but from what I've read it was competitive before the injury in the 6th...So it wasn't a gift..

Haye shouldn't be struggling with Bellew types so I think he should retire....and good riddance.

However respect to Bellew and... egg

on my face.... Cool

..

by EX7EY Sun Mar 05, 2017 9:29 am

Got to say, some very disappointing comments on this thread. It's always the same old on here when results go against the grain.

People calling it embarrassing and saying bellew should be embarrassed are out of order.

Injury or not, he did what he had to do and what he could do to win the fight, and he won it. It's of no concern to bellew whether Haye was injured or not. Obviously bellew would struggle put Haye down and completely out due to the size difference but let's be honest he did hurt Haye a couple of times.

Haye didn't exactly look great even before the injury. He was on top but he wasn't making it look easy. Missing a lot and very ragged. In either the 3rd or 4th Haye caught bellew with a big straight right followed immediately by a crisp left hook and Bellew was still standing.

I think without the injury it might have ended with both men still standing and Haye winning by fairly close decision. But even if that would have been the case where would he have gone? Not exactly HW title material is it when you KO a cruiserweight that's supposed to be levels beneath you.

I think when all said and done the bellew camp were right in what they were saying all along. Haye is a shadow of his former self and bellew on his day is probably a tad under rated.

Ive said since his comeback fight that he would be finished as soon as he got in the ring with someone decent and I was right, just didn't expect it to be against bellew!

I think we need to just give people their dues sometimes from this forum. Constant down playing of achievements is getting boring. There was next to nobody on here that gave bellew a chance because we coukdnt see past Hayes bikini body and past glories but the man has clearly aged badly in terms of boxing, the time out and injuries obviously far too much to overcome.

I had right egg on my face last night, sat watching it with 6 'casuals' and every single one backed bellew because of the price, except me. I had a double on eggington by stoppage and Haye in 1-3. One of the lads had £25 on bellew 6/1 sky bet price boost. Fair play, getting a lot of stick because I was telling then they were all mental haha.

Let's just give bellew his credit and now we call move on from the Haye comeback circus, it's been a farce from the start.

I wonder if Hearn is slightly miffed even though bellew is his boy, that AJ v Haye fight would have been some serious money haha

by milkyboy Sun Mar 05, 2017 9:42 am

Yup humble pie alround. A wins a win and irrespective of the injury it wasn't the three round blowout most of us called. Fair play to bellew.

Ho hum, can we talk about Garcia Thurman instead Whistle

by horizontalhero Sun Mar 05, 2017 9:44 am

Congratulations to Bellew, he proved that Paul McCartney isn't the only scouser that can beat a one-legged opponent.

by Jermaine2015 Sun Mar 05, 2017 9:51 am

Why would a bum like Bellew get any credit for lucking out against an injured Haye? Haye was beating him easy until his body fell apart. Bellew was so pathetic that it took him 5 extra rounds to put away a cripple. Then bum Bellew and Hearn trying to blag a fight with Wilder or Parker. Couldn't make this garbage up

by EX7EY Sun Mar 05, 2017 10:02 am

Jermaine2015 wrote:Why would a bum like Bellew get any credit for lucking out against an injured Haye? Haye was beating him easy until his body fell apart. Bellew was so pathetic that it took him 5 extra rounds to put away a cripple. Then bum Bellew and Hearn trying to blag a fight with Wilder or Parker. Couldn't make this garbage up

Your posts are beyond boring. I wish someone could just delete your account.

by eirebilly Sun Mar 05, 2017 10:33 am

I am not so sure that Haye would have won the fight if he hadn't had got the injury. He looked ragged, his timing was off and even when he landed hits, Bellew took them. Ok, he was 4 rounds up by the time of the injury but I feel Bellew was sticking to a plan to tire him out and it seemed to be working.
I feel that Bellew may have out pointed Haye if it went the distance as he would have just picked Haye off. Credit to the man for the win.

by EX7EY Sun Mar 05, 2017 10:39 am

eirebilly wrote:I am not so sure that Haye would have won the fight if he hadn't had got the injury. He looked ragged, his timing was off and even when he landed hits, Bellew took them. Ok, he was 4 rounds up by the time of the injury but I feel Bellew was sticking to a plan to tire him out and it seemed to be working.
I feel that Bellew may have out pointed Haye if it went the distance as he would have just picked Haye off. Credit to the man for the win.

I actually agree with that. The way it was going i felt Haye may have ended up winning on points but you just never know because I do think Haye would have tired badly in the later rounds but Tony was tired at the end also. We will never know but bellew won the fight, simple as that, to quote the man himself haha.

People who don't want to give him credit really are haters. Everybody thought Haye would have had him out long before the injury occurred anyway so it shouldn't even matter. But now they just turn to 'oh bellew only won because Haye got injured' and all the rest of that garbage. Away with you!

I thought bellew had no chance but I knew full well should he somehow manage to win he'd get no credit

by Hammersmith harrier Sun Mar 05, 2017 10:44 am

To be honest I think Haye went into the fight injured and it's the only explananation I can think of for his raggedness, he seemed to be lacking power from the start which suggests as much.

I don't think anyone not wanting to praise Bellew too much for beating a cripple are haters at all, I simply don't see how you can give someone credit for taking so long to finish off a one legged opponent. Haye is the one who deserves all the adulation for surviving so long in such a terrible condition.

by TRUSSMAN66 Sun Mar 05, 2017 10:57 am

All that really matters is the result....

W12 Cleverly
Ko11 Haye

Chuck in a World strap and guys like Darren Barker can scroll up the list to see Bellew above them...

by eirebilly Sun Mar 05, 2017 10:57 am

He may have been carrying an injury but I am not convinced. To me Haye looked ragged due to lack of boxing in recent years. Had he a few more fights in the last couple of years he may have been more 'match fit' and his timing much better.

by catchweight Sun Mar 05, 2017 11:07 am

Hayes reputation has always far exceeded his record and ability. He showed guts last night though which may keep his chances of another big pay day alive if he can recover.

by eirebilly Sun Mar 05, 2017 11:10 am

The love in after the fight was really sickening and if I heard David Haye say 'oblige me' one more time I was going to lose it.

by Herman Jaeger Sun Mar 05, 2017 11:16 am

As someone said on another site Haye was trying to sound magnanimous as much as actually being magnanimous kept repeating himself that said I'm disappointed he wasn't allowed to continue after such a gutsy display think the leg gave way as much as a punch put him down

by catchweight Sun Mar 05, 2017 11:19 am

Yes a new level of creepy was reached by the whole Sky production.

I really think Adam Smith has some sort of fetish for respect. It seem to genuinely turn him on.

by catchweight Sun Mar 05, 2017 11:20 am

"And theeerrreeesss the respect, so wonderful to see Carl"

Oooohh yeeessss please

by dyrewolfe Sun Mar 05, 2017 11:23 am

The only honest words I heard were when Bellew thanked Haye for, "securing his kids' future".

Whatever happened to boxing being about who is the best fighter? Now it seems its about who can earn the biggest payday.

More than a whiff of WWE about this one...though even in wrestling its rare for fighters to switch from being mortal enemies to best buds that quickly.

Haye looked like he was just getting into his stride and starting to hurt Bellew with some big shots, when *bang* his leg goes.

Thought Bellew would finish him there and then, but instead he pulls back and drags the fight out another 5 rounds. Looked like he wanted to win on points. Presumably he didn't want to hurt his good buddy too much. Though he also had the excuse of moving up weights and possibly getting tired.

This fight just reeked of a money-making exercise and it was nice of Bellew to come out and say as much. Really hoping there isn't a rematch.

by catchweight Sun Mar 05, 2017 11:28 am

I think Bellew just wasnt good enough or powerful enough to get Haye out quicker. He gave it a bash and nearly punched himself out. Needed a few rounds to get his wind back.

He looked really poor trying to box on the front foot against a one legged Haye. Really all he needed to do was keep leaning on Haye who could barely support himself never mind Bellew. Haye also looked sloppy trying to box on the front foot against Bellew.

by Guest Sun Mar 05, 2017 11:47 am

Stamina wise I think Haye was fine. I don't think he would have particularly tired if he hadn't had the leg injury. He lasted fine until the 11th when he had been dragging his injured leg around for five rounds. He resorted to lunging at Bellew still in the hope of knocking out Bellew with a one punch connect. But that caused him to stumble. It was a stumble (caused by him evading Bellew's punches) that caused him to fall through the ropes out of the ring. He made it back into the ring in time, but his team threw the towel in because they recognised it was pointless to continue. So stamina wise - Haye looked fine.

It is now being reported that Bellew broke his hand in the second or third round. There is no reason not to believe this. So swings and roundabouts.

by Pedro147 Sun Mar 05, 2017 1:41 pm

It’s very hard to give Bellew credit for the win. Not that the injury was his fault but if your opponent can’t move or put power into his shots because they’re injured then it’s hard to really class it as a great win.

Like me beating Usain Bolt in a 100m metre race because his hamstring snaps 20m in.

by EX7EY Sun Mar 05, 2017 1:49 pm

I do get the point people are making about the injury. And even though im saying bellew needs his credit im not classing it as a great win by any stretch.

I think it's obvious a peak Haye would have had no trouble with bellew but St the end of the day Haye was heavily expected to dispose of bellew in the first few rounds before the injury occurred and he couldn't do it.

by irishbrads Sun Mar 05, 2017 2:07 pm

Pedro147 wrote:It’s very hard to give Bellew credit for the win. Not that the injury was his fault but if your opponent can’t move or put power into his shots because they’re injured then it’s hard to really class it as a great win.

Like me beating Usain Bolt in a 100m metre race because his hamstring snaps 20m in.

most sensible comment i've read all day!!!!

by Atila Sun Mar 05, 2017 2:15 pm

So did Haye go into the fight with an existing leg injury?

Pacquiao received plenty of stick for fighting Floyd with an existing shoulder problem.

If Haye did climb into the ring with a dodgy leg, shouldn't he be criticized for doing that?

ps. Reading now that Bellew broke his hand early in the fight. Maybe that's why it took him so long to finish of a guy with a bad leg. Wink

by TRUSSMAN66 Sun Mar 05, 2017 2:19 pm

I'll give Bellew credit for getting in with a big punching....Holyfield type Heavy when he hadn't fought at the weight.

I'll give him credit for soaking up his shots and holding his own early.

I'll give him credit for capitalising on Haye's bad luck.

Very good win and credit where it's due.

by Herman Jaeger Sun Mar 05, 2017 2:23 pm

Where's the proof Bellew broke his hand?

That way he gives Haye time to recover and avoids Breidis Huck winner

Or am I being paranoid

by Atila Sun Mar 05, 2017 2:26 pm

Herman Jaeger wrote:Where's the proof Bellew broke his hand?

That way he gives Haye time to recover and avoids Breidis Huck winner

Or am I being paranoid

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/boxing/article-4283192/Tony-Bellew-says-suffered-broken-against-David-Haye.html

by Hammersmith harrier Sun Mar 05, 2017 2:27 pm

David Haye is a far more dangerous opponent than Breidis or Huck so I don't understand how he's avoiding them if he went for a rematch instead.

by Herman Jaeger Sun Mar 05, 2017 2:32 pm

Break or a bruise?

Huck beats both of them, I need to see more of Breidis but I think he beats Bellew

by Mr Bounce Sun Mar 05, 2017 2:33 pm

All credit to Bellew for winning, as he did exactly what most of us said he couldn't do. He stood up well to the big punches that landed and despite Haye carrying an injury, he was tentative to step in and finish because of what might come back at him. Also, he apparently broke his hand in the middle rounds according to the BBC report, so that's probably why he didn't finish it sooner - he might not have been able to.

If Bellew had fought the cruiserweight version of Haye, it probably would have been like a cross between the Maccarinelli and Mormeck fights with a crushing KO win for Haye, but this is not 10 years ago. It appears that Haye today is nothing like the Haye of old. Hopefully he realises this and doesn't try to "Do a Roy" and stay around trying to relive the memories of when he was half decent.

As for Bellew, I think he's made himself much more marketable. But not as a heavyweight; according to Hearn both Parker and Wilder's representatives have been in touch as they are considering defences against Bellew. I'm not sure that's wise unless Tony is only in it to feed his kids - they'd get a lot of jelly and ice cream if he went down that route. However, he's a small heavy (or a fat cruiser laughing

) so taking on an active rather than a former retired alphabet heavy belt holder is likely to be much more than he could handle. I for one hope he goes back to cruiser and tries to unify. Not so much money but a lot of pride.

To sum up, a good win, but not a great one. Haye is obviously well past his best, but credit to Bellew - he did his homework and had a plan in place to beat him - and achieved it. Well done.

by Atila Sun Mar 05, 2017 2:37 pm

Herman Jaeger wrote:Break or a bruise?

Huck beats both of them, I need to see more of Breidis but I think he beats Bellew

He says it was broken. Whether that's true or not I don't know.

BBC also reports Bellew saying that the hand was broken.

http://www.bbc.com/sport/boxing/39171240

by Herman Jaeger Sun Mar 05, 2017 2:38 pm

Haye has definitely regressed no question

by Herman Jaeger Sun Mar 05, 2017 2:40 pm

Bellew should stay away from heavy and stay away from Huck Breidis so reamatch Haye and be done would be the best bet

by TRUSSMAN66 Sun Mar 05, 2017 2:41 pm

Hammersmith harrier wrote:David Haye is a far more dangerous opponent than Breidis or Huck so I don't understand how he's avoiding them if he went for a rematch instead.

You've got to laugh....

by TRUSSMAN66 Sun Mar 05, 2017 2:43 pm

Herman Jaeger wrote:Haye has definitely regressed no question

You don't give anyone...ie Ward...Bellew any credit do you ??

It's all black and white.

by Herman Jaeger Sun Mar 05, 2017 2:46 pm

Bellew deserves a lot of credit for the way he boxed first five rounds before the injury but Haye a sitting duck after that

Don't put words in my mouth kiddo

by Herman Jaeger Sun Mar 05, 2017 2:48 pm

You can't call it a great win for the injury but Bellew boxed way better than most had predicted maybe that counter right had Haye's timing all out

by Herman Jaeger Sun Mar 05, 2017 2:51 pm

Huck destroys Bellew and I think against this version of Haye Huck has a great chance of grinding him down great fight though

by Guest Sun Mar 05, 2017 3:13 pm

It is what it is - a great win for Bellew. Most predicted he would be knocked out within three rounds - that didn't happen. He was holding his own, causing Haye to miss, and getting in some hard counter punches of his own. Though it was said that Haye was overweight, he did looked ripped while Bellew looked a bit podgy. Haye didn't noticeably tire during the fight - so he did have the stamina for the twelve rounds. Haye was not prepared to walk through Bellew's punches to get to Bellew, after being knocked back by a good counter in the early part of the first round. Bellew was tactically smart, generally keeping it out of range, but he was prepared to battle when the punches went flying.

Because of the leg injury to Haye and because of the likely hand injury to Bellew, it is difficult to judge beyond Bellew was a lot better than most people thought he would be, while Haye was not as good as most people thought he would be. Just to add both had very sharp reflexes - so difficult to hit cleanly.

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