Joshua Feels Haye Earned Respect: Most Would Have Bailed Out

IBF heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua sat ringside at the O2 Arena in London and fully admits that he gained a lot of respect for former two division beltholder David Haye, who suffered his third career defeat.

Tony Bellew caused a huge upset by stepping up in weight and stopping an incapacitated Haye in the 11th round in a gripping, all-British heavyweight grudge fight at the O2 Arena on Saturday.

Haye, on his third fight in his boxing comeback, appeared to injure his right Achilles in the sixth round but fought on courageously despite virtually being a sitting target.

Bellew, the WBC cruiserweight champion, showed patience in picking his moment to finish off Haye and the end came in the close stages of the 11th with a flurry of punches that sent his rival out of the ring. Haye climbed back into the ring, but his corner threw in the towel.

The 36-year-old Haye's career looks in jeopardy after a third loss in his career. Bellew was giving up 11 pounds and fighting his first professional bout at heavyweight.

Joshua was impressed with Haye's effort, because most fighters would have looked for a way out with such an injury. He was also impressed with Bellew's ability to take Haye's punches.

"All credit to Haye, because with a busted leg he stayed in there," Joshua told Sky Sports Box Office. "Most people could have bailed out. People were saying he should throw the towel in and all sorts, but he stayed in there as long as possible.

"It was a dogfight and at the end of the day, you've got to do what you've got to do. Credit to Tony Bellew, he stood in there with a heavyweight, and it was amazing that he took his best punches as well. As a cruiserweight moving up to heavyweight, he took his best punches and went toe-to-toe. Credit to Tony Bellew."

There were pre-fight rumors that Haye suffered an Achilles injury and he actually traveled to Germany to get a medical evaluation. Joshua did some research on Haye's doctor and is not surprised by the injury that was suffered on Saturday night.

"He was on Instagram and posted who his doctor was, so I quickly popped on the internet and did a bit of research. I heard this doctor works with a lot of footballers and does their knees. You can see his knee went," Joshua said.