Will it be revenge or repeat?
One of the most anticipated fights of the boxing year is nearly upon us. In a few hours time British Heavyweights Tony Bellew & David Haye, throw down again in a monstrous rematch of their epic bout 15 months prior. It's been months in the making and the hostility and bad-blood will finally get settled following months of trash talk bitter animosity between the great rivals.
Story so far...
The pair first threw down 5th March last year at London's O2 Arena. Haye was a massive favourite going into the fight against the universally unfancied Bellew, but managed to shock the world with a 11th round TKO victory.
The win however was marred by a dehiblitating ruptured achilles injury suffered by Haye in the 6th round, which all but kept him from being able to throw any substantial shots. As a result many felt Bellew's victory was a hollow one and the fans have been clamouring for a rematch ever since.
Vicious Verbals
The build-up the the first fight was filled with vitriol from both sides, including a physical confrontation during a press conference. Statements of wanting to break skulls and leaving each other hospital bound, garnered both massive controversy and interest abound.
While the build-up leading up the rematch has been far less vitriolic, mainly due to Haye taking a much more humble modest approach, the simmering tensions is obvious to many. Despite this new approach, Haye often looks like a volcanic eruption waiting to happen.
Despite even a handshake taking place following a interview, the tensions came to a boil following the final press conference, when Bellew shoved his nemesis away, during the face offs.
The stakes couldn't be higher this time round, as a defeat especially for Haye could be disastrous. Once a fearsome heavyweight and arguably one of the finest British boxers ever, a loss would undoubtedly mean the end of the road for the fighter. Whereas a victory for Bellew, would cement his status as a superstar in the boxing world.
Prediction
There are several questions coming into this titanic bout:
- Will Haye's body manage to hold up, following a collection of injuries
- Can Bellew prove the first win wasn't because of Haye's injury but more to his own heart and skill
- How will Haye's mindset be this time round, following admissions his previous training camp wasn't exactly the best.
These and so much will be answered tonight at the O2, when these two foes finally collide.
My personal prediciton is Haye is not the fighter he once was, not even close, however he still managed to win the majority of the rounds in the first fight before the Achilles injury. This time however, he weighed in lighter and definitely seems to have the mindset of entering a hard fight. This fact combined with the hope his body doesnt break down, Haye should have enough to level the scores.
Result: Haye via unanimous decision
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