Last night and throughout the complete build up to the grudge fight with Tony Bellew, David Haye talked and looked like a man ready to do business.
Haye walked the walk and talked the talk, threatening to inflict serious damage on an opponent who had called him out.
In the early rounds of the fight it looked as if Haye was going to win, but the big punch he said he was going to flatten Bellew with never materialised.
In the latter rounds it became obvious that there was a problem with Haye?s leg, the rumoured Achilles injury was more than a rumour.
After the fight Haye spoke about both the fight and the injury, remarking to the media,
‘I’ve knocked out guys a lot bigger and stronger but he has the heart of a lion.
‘I gave it my best and it wasn’t good enough. He was by far the better fighter tonight. He dug deep and took my best shots and put me down.
‘I would love to do it again, I have never been in a fight like that. If the fans want to see it again I would do it again. We’ll do it on his terms, in his town – he deserves it.’
And on the injury Haye added,
‘The ankle was just one of those things. The better man won on the night.
‘It wasn’t my night. I didn’t land the good shots, I was in good shape but his game was better than mine.
‘It felt like a Rocky movie and I was one punch away from knocking him out but I couldn’t quite do it.’
Fair play to Haye for not blaming the injury for his loss. As for a re-match I?m sure the public will lap it up, but does it feature in Bellew?s plans I would have to ask!
Haye on Losing to Bellew
