David Haye breaks silence to thank 'brilliant dance partner' Tony Bellew amid questions over retirement

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John Dillon6 May 2018

David Haye broke his media silence on Sunday following his defeat by Tony Bellew but still offered no clues about whether he plans to retire – although it is likely this week..

London’s former world heavyweight champion Haye appears to be at the end of the road after his second successive defeat by Scouser Bellew.

But despite the manner of the second setback at the O2 Arena – when he was knocked down three times after plainly running out of gas in the third round ahead of the fifth round stoppage – he is still taking time to consider his options.

Haye, 37, said beforehand he would quit even if he defeated Bellew and was unhappy with his performance.

The outcome was far more devastating. And there is little likelihood he now has the cache to attract the interest of big promoters or pay-per-view TV fans, although he has his own promotional company should he wish to carry on.

The likelihood is that he will announce a decision to step down via his PR company at some this week after asking to be excused from attending the immediate post-fight press conference.

Meanwhile, in a lengthy Instagram post on Sunday he said: “We promised the rematch would be another epic battle, and despite not getting the outcome I so desired, it certainly lived up to the hype.

“Thank you to everyone who packed out The O2 Arena, tuned into Sky Box Office or piled into their local pub to witness it live.

REUTERS

“The energy in the build-up and as I stepped into the arena in my hometown was something I will never forget.

“Thank you to Tony and his whole team for their part in creating this. Being part of fight nights like last night’s epic battle, those which pack out arenas and divide boxing fans are what you dream of as a child.

“I enjoyed every moment of this fight campaign, from the lung-busting sessions, the press conference shenanigans, early nights, clean living and even the tear up itself! You can never complain when you have been able to fulfil your childhood dream whether you win, lose or draw. I’m incredibly fortunate.

“Your messages of love and positivity have been overwhelming, aside from the natural disappointment and a few bruises, I‘m good.

“Tony, you are a brilliant dance partner, you proved many doubters wrong and were without question the deserved winner. Your family, friends and those you were fighting in the memory of, should be incredibly proud of their "Bomber". Congratulations Champ. “

Meanwhile, Bellew, 35,would like a quick heavyweight clash with returning former world champion Tyson Fury – or an unlikely challenge against undefeated but retired former super middleweight and light-heavyweight superstar Andre Ward.

AP

Fury will fight for the first time in nearly three years in Manchester in June. American Ward, 34, retired with a superb undefeated 32 fight record last year.

Bellew said: "I'd love Tyson Fury. I'd love to knock him out. Timing is everything in this sport. I'm not saying I would have beaten him in Dusseldorf when he beat Wladimir Klitschko in 2015.

"Fury isn't a big puncher like Anthony Joshua or Haye. He's big, elusive and fast for a heavyweight. It's a fight I like. And you lot will laugh but I will beat Andre Ward. I have a different set of skills to what he has seen before.

"I have all the respect in the world for him but he has never faced a fighter who can match him up close, fighting on the inside. He is Bernard Hopkins, just 20 years younger, but there are ways to beat him.”

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