David Haye has admitted that he anticipates news of a fine from the British Boxing Board of Control.
Haye, who was stopped by bitter rival Tony Bellew in the 11th round of their grudge match last week, will almost certainly face some sort of sanction for his pre-fight comments about his Liverpudlian opponent and his fans.
The former world heavyweight and cruiserweight champion had already been warned by BBBofC secretary Robert Smith to refrain from unsportsmanlike threats like that which saw him express a desire to “hospitalise” Bellew before he referred to a number of fans as “fucking retards” at a press conference on Merseyside.
Haye has made a career out of playing the pantomime villain in the process of selling fights and he insisted that he didn’t regret his controversial remarks.
“I have got to go and see them next month,” Haye said, with quotes appearing in the Mirror. “They will probably fine me, at least — maybe a suspension or something.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llKcxboZKbY
“But I don’t regret a thing I said. When I said it, I meant it.”
‘The Hayemaker’ conceded that he could see why some felt the trash talk became too offensive and said that he would not contest any sanctions.
“Some of the comments went too far,” he told BBC Sport.
“If I have to pay a fine, I’ll happily pay and take whatever punishment I need to.”
An Achilles injury was the beginning of the end for Haye once he stepped inside the squared circle with Bellew and his trainer Shane McGuigan had seen enough in the penultimate round of the London showdown as he brought an end to proceedings by throwing in the towel.
Haye’s determination in fighting through the pain of a ruptured Achilles has earned him plenty of praise from fight fans but his pre-fight behaviour means that a sour taste remains in the mouths of some.
“When you get into that beast mode before the fight, you’re not thinking about political correctness, you’re not thinking about fines, you’re just thinking about getting in the ring,” Haye explained.
“When you’re in that beast mode you say things which rub the average person up the wrong way.”
