Former WBC cruiserweight champion, Tony Bellew, has had his say on how a fight between David Haye and Tyson Fury would have played out had their domestic clash not been cancelled in both 2013 and 2014.
Haye and Fury were scheduled to face one another on two occasions but, unfortunately for fans, the rivalry was never settled after a heated build-up. For both bouts, Haye pulled out due to injury.
Three years later, it was Bellew who stepped in and assumed Fury’s position as Haye’s new rival, with the scouser claiming two memorable knockout victories, again after an intense war of words pre-fight.
Bellew told the Up Front with Simon Jordan podcast that he believes Haye would have won when they were due to fight, but says he ‘wouldn’t have a chance’ when Fury was in his prime.
“I am convinced that if David Haye would have fought Tyson Fury back when that fight first got announced, [he would have beaten him], just purely off of timing.
He would never have a chance now, the Fury that defeated Klitschko, I’m quite happy to say, would beat them all.”
“Physically, [Fury] was so undeveloped at that stage and so unaware of the game. Steve Cunningham nearly beat him, David Haye is twice the puncher and twice the fighter that Steve Cunningham ever was.
If he hurts you, if David Haye drops you, you are done. He is probably one of the best finishers that this country has ever seen.”
These days, ‘The Gypsy King’ is recognised by many as the greatest heavyweight on the planet and is expected to be back in action in a couple of months’ time.
Fans were anticipating that Zhilei Zhang would be in the opposing corner, but it could now be Andy Ruiz, after Joe Joyce activated a rematch clause with the 40-year-old.