Bellew the better man once again, defeats Haye in rematch

Sub Lead05-May-18by John J. Raspanti

By John J. Raspanti

Bellew-vs-Haye-2

Tony “Bomber” Bellew proved that his victory last year over David “Haymaker” Haye was hardly an upset as he connivingly stopped the favored Haye in round five at the O2 Arena in London, Eng. Saturday night.

Haye (29-4, 26 KOs) started fast by popping his jab. Bellew (29-2, 22 KOs) looked to counter. He landed a left hook – while Haye connected with a big right at the bell.

Haye continued to flick his jab to the body and head in round two. Bellew landed a good right to the chin. Haye connected with a combination. Haye landed his “Hayemaker” but Bellew absorbed it without any issues. Haye appeared to have won the first two rounds, but his punches lacked snap.

Bellew,35, was playing a waiting game. He said after the fight that he could see everything coming. It looked that way in round three. He fired right hands. A couple landed.

Haye wanted to keep the action in the center of the ring,but the patient Bellew had other ideas. He landed a few shots to the body.

Bellew was finding Haye more consistently. He forced Haye into the ropes and let his hands go. Haye fired as well, but it was who Bellew who landed first—sending Haye to the canvas.

The former cruiserweight and heavyweight champion sat on the canvas with a confused look on his face. Haye beat the count but wobbled, like a guy who had to many drinks at a local pub.

Seconds later another right hand floored him. He got up and staggered to his corner.

Bellew, who held the cruiserweight championship two years ago, came out looking to end things in the fourth round. He stunned Haye with another straight right hand. Haye tried to jab but was still shaky. Bellew,35, walked Haye down and cracked him to the head.

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In round five, Haye,37, tried to land something that could change the complexation of the bout, but Bellew was the faster man. He uncorked a huge left hook that landed flush on the chin. Haye hit the canvas face first. He got up at seven and back peddled into the ropes. Bellew fired away until referee Howard John Foster waved off the contest.

The time was 2:14 of round five.

“David Haye is an amazing fighter, we just got into a slugfest,” said Bellew. “Age is a factor with his style. He goes down as a better fighter than me. But I won, against all the odds. I was willing to be finished off in this ring tonight.”

“Tony boxed a great fight,” said Haye. ”I couldn’t quite get to him.”

The win was an emotional one for Bellew, who fancies himself the ultimate underdog. In a sense he is, but the Liverpool native has done extremely well with the abllty he was born with.