Skip to content

Tony Bellew thinks 'ego maniac' David Haye will be in big trouble on March 4 in London

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Tony Bellew believes he is the better fighter and has a bigger heart than David Haye

Tony Bellew says victory over David Haye will make him the most valuable heavyweight on the planet, outside of the reigning world champions.

And Bellew is adamant that his fellow Brit is not the force he used to be when he was winning world titles at cruiserweight and heavyweight.

The duo will square off in an eagerly-awaited heavyweight showdown on March 4 at The O2, live on Sky Sports Box Office.

Bellew says he thinks Haye's complacency will prove costly when the pair finally square off, after an acrimonious build-up.

Bellew told Sky Sports News HQ: "I know this fight can be ended for me in 20 seconds or I could end it in the 12th.

"He doesn't believe I can even hit him, he has no regard for me whatsoever. He thinks he is going to turn up and walk through me. He is just an ego maniac.

"I am the guy who has been facing world class fighters, this guy has been posing on beaches for five years and living in nightclubs.

Also See:

"The best win of David's career is still in Paris on that great night against Jean-Marc Mormeck and that was at cruiserweight [in 2007]. Can anyone tell me a great heavyweight he has beaten?

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Tony Bellew is happy to be training at home while his next opponent David Haye prepares for their fight on March 4 in the warmer climes of Miami

"If I was fighting the David Haye who went to Paris, I would say I am up against it, but I'm not."

Bellew admitted he respects Haye's athleticism but thinks his own greater heart and desire will prove decisive.

"He is an amazing athlete," said Bellew. "Very fast, very powerful, he is probably one of the best athletes in a boxing ring today.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

David Haye says he can not wait to get into the ring with his bitter rival Tony Bellew

"But I am not intending on having a race with him, I am going to have a fight with him. This isn't the triathlon, it's a fight, and that's what I am good at doing.

"He had better hope this fight ends in four rounds because, if it doesn't, he is in a world of trouble."

Haye threw a punch at Bellew during pre-fight press conference last November and Bellew says the incident has just added to his motivation.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Tony Bellew looks ahead to his showdown with former world heavyweight champion David Haye

"I pushed him away, he threw a punch and, in my opinion, you have overstepped the mark then," said Bellew.

"We have a code among fighters that we should never really throw punches without gloves on and it was very stupid on his part.

"Just the thought of beating him motivates me every day, the thought of beating someone who is recognised as the best cruiserweight this country has ever seen, a former heavyweight champion of the world.

"I knock 'Sideshow Bob' out, I then become the most valuable heavyweight in the world, outside of the champions, and that is what is driving me each and every day."

Around Sky