By Edward Chaykovsky
WBC cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew (28-2-1, 18KOs) has dropped several hints that he believes former two division world champion David Haye (28-2, 26KOs) is broke and in dire need of money.
Bellew will move up to the heavyweight division to face Haye on March 4th at the O2 Arena in London.
For months the two boxers exchanged words in published interviews. A few days ago they held a press conference to officially announce their Sky pay-per-view fight. Tempers flared up and the two fighters scuffled during the their head to head pose for the cameras.
Bellew was very surprised that Haye sucker-punched him during their press conference. He says the financial strains in Haye's personal life have driven him over the edge. According to several British outlets, back in late August Haye went through a divorce with his wife of eight years.
"Why he is throwing a punch? I don't know, he's a maniac, he's crazy. Listen in the position that he is in, it can do that to you. He's in a dangerous position, his life is in turmoil, he needs this fight on as fast as possible. He needs to cash Tony Bellew in, it's not going to happen on March 4," Bellew told Sky Sports.
He wasn't impressed with the power of Haye's punch. He warns that Haye will be in a lot of trouble if that's the best shot he can throw. Being a guy who came from the streets of Liverpool, Bellew is more than happy to trade punches with Haye on the street.
"We were talking, the security got a little bit too close and when David stepped up, he jammed his nose right up against my face, so I pushed him back to move him away from me and he punched me with a left hook. If that's the best he's got, he's in trouble on March 4 because I thought he hit harder than that, he definitely hits harder in sparring but is what it is, he's an idiot," Bellew said.
"I don't know why he's throwing a punch, I was literally trying to get him off me and get his face out of my face. He seems very rattled and annoyed, listen if he wants to take it to the streets than I am more than happy because there's only one winner on the streets with someone like me."
