Tony Bellew: David Haye is “an absolute scumbag”

Tony Bellew has reignited the war of words with David Haye.

The pair fought a dramatic heavyweight bout at London's O2 Arena last Saturday. Bellew was the underdog going into the fight, his first at heavyweight, but managed to upset the odds and beat Haye, who suffered an Achilles injury in the sixth round. The two engaged in a bitter war of words ahead of the fight. Haye threatened to leave his opponent in hospital, and his comments have landed him in trouble with the British Boxing Board of Control. https://twitter.com/SportsJOE_UK/status/838326972912664577 However, immediately following the fight, the pair were very respectful of each other, prompting some to say that the hostility between them ahead of the bout was manufactured. Bellew has said this wasn't the case, and has said Haye's remarks had an effect on him. "It was all real (the trash talk). The things he said to me declare that he's an absolute scumbag," Bellew told Newstalk on Thursday evening.

"This is the guy who said he's gonna put me in hospital. This is the guy who said 'your kids are gonna have to come see you in hospital,' absolutely disgusting. "Really, really derogatory terms, things that shouldn't be said in a boxing ring."

Haye also called Bellew's fans from Liverpool, in attendance at a press conference before the fight, "f***ing retards." Bellew said this was typical of the 36-year-old, and while he respects him as a fighter, he maintains a low opinion of Haye as a person. "He tweeted it out like it was funny. But like I said, once a helmet, always a helmet in my opinion," Bellew said. https://twitter.com/SportsJOE_UK/status/839557834018865152

"As a fighter, I've always respected him. I've always thought he's an amazing fighter and really good at what he does. "But that's as far as it goes. The person that he is, I don't think he's the nicest person in the world, far from it to be honest. But I do respect him as a fighter, massively. "He showed a lot of courage in there, to carry on going, like I did myself with a broken hand."

Bellew also said that he will take some time before considering his next move in the sport. Haye has made it clear that he wants a rematch, and is even willing to fight in Liverpool, Bellew's hometown.