British rivals David Haye and Tony Bellew are set to be reunited at Wembley next week for the first time since their grudge match.
Bellew earned a late stoppage victory over Haye last month when a ruptured Achilles forced ‘The Hayemaker’ to compete on one leg for the latter portion of the fight.
Ahead of what was one of the more hate-fuelled boxing bouts in recent British boxing history, the pair engaged in an unforgettable war of words that, in spite of the immediate post-fight embrace, has carried on ever so slightly.
Since the defeat, Haye has insisted that he does not regret his pre-fight comments in which he announced his hope to hospitalise ‘Bomber’ while Bellew has since referred to Haye as “an absolute scumbag.”
So let’s hope security are well prepared for the first meeting of Haye and Bellew since that fateful night in London’s O2 Arena as they are set to feature on Sky’s broadcast team for the upcoming Wembley showdown between Anthony Joshua and Wladimir Klitschko.
Haye and Bellew will join WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder and former super-middleweight champion Carl Froch in the Sky Sports studio next Saturday night to break down the fights.
It will be interesting to see whether the mutual respect that showed itself in the ring after the final bell last month will appear again in the form of a handshake or if Haye will return to his trash-talking ways but Bellew insists he will shake his rival’s hand if the opportunity presents itself.
“If he approaches me and that’s the way he wants to go, then so be it,” said Bellew.
“I don’t think I will be allowed too close to him, to be honest, we’ll see.”
It would be a wise move to keep the men as far away from each other on the panel as physically possible because, despite the fact that both men are carrying injuries, neither will want to be overshadowed or made to look foolish on live television.
Let’s hope that there is no more than a bit of friendly ribbing and that we don’t see a repeat of this infamous press conference in which a punch was thrown during a staredown.
“After the announcement that charismatic WBC Heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder will be part of our ringside team for the huge Wembley showdown between Anthony Joshua and Wladimir Klitschko, we are delighted to add two more of boxing’s biggest names to the party,” Adam Smith, head of Sky Sports Boxing said.
“Following their epic war, Tony Bellew and David Haye will come face to face again as both join our Sky broadcast for their outspoken views, engaging analysis and plenty of simmering tension.
“We expect fireworks in the ring between AJ and WK – and maybe a few sparklers in the night air on our presenting stage outside it.”
