Tony Bellew dramatically secured one of the biggest upset
in British boxing history when David Haye was withdrawn in the 11th at London’s 02 Arena after suffering a suspected Achilles injury.
The grudge match that had been considered a mismatch became a nightmare for Haye from the sixth, when after losing his balance the injury occurred and left him barely unable to stay on his feet.
He bravely persisted from then until the 11th, struggling as much for as against Bellew and clearly on the verge of exhaustion. He was finally pulled out by his trainer Shane McGuigan when he was knocked through the ropes and almost out of the ring amid his pursuit of one conclusive punch.
The 36-year-old’s midweek trip to Munich had been followed by reports of an Achilles injury and his subsequent claims he had started them as a mind .
Instead of him proving both too big and too skilled an opponent for Bellew in his opponent’s first in the heavyweight division, his fitness and technique unravelled to leave him staring at the end of his career.
Bellew’s greatest chance of success came in spoiling throughout the opening in an attempt to survive and to see if Haye would tire and become vulnerable thereafter.
The older fighter had fought less than three rounds in almost five years and his heavier 16st 9oz frame – one he insisted was necessary to avoid injuries recurring – would likely have reduced his already questionable stamina.
Haye was again far slower than he was at his impressive peak, but despite questions surrounding his ability and fitness in the build-up to this fight, his power was also unexpectedly lacking.
The once-great fighter reliant on his explosive power and reflexes frequently showed signs of rust and technical decline amid Bellew’s early success in landing both left and right hands.
For all of his bravado, Haye became tentative, reluctant to throw because of Bellew’s superior speed until entirely confident his punches would land.
Join GhanaStar.com to receive daily email alerts of breaking news in Ghana. GhanaStar.com is your source for all Ghana News. Get the latest Ghana news, breaking news, sports, politics, entertainment and more about Ghana, Africa and beyond.
(Via: CitiFM Online Ghana)
