David Haye admits there is no other option for him than to beat Tony Bellew in their delayed rematch on May 5.
The fight was to be staged on December 17 but was postponed when Bermondsey boxer Haye injured a bicep.
The former WBA heavyweight champion endured a miserable 2017 after also being sidelined by an Achilles injury. He knows he may have to finally hang up his gloves if he loses but is confident he will improve his record which currently stands at 28 wins, with 25 inside the distance, and just three defeats.
Those reversals were against quality opposition and when he was beaten by Bellew last time out he left the ring covers in glory after a brave, courageous battle.
Bellew won an exciting encounter at London’s O2 arena last March with an 11th round stoppage but the 37-year-old known as Hayemaker fought on despite rupturing an Achilles in the sixth round when he was also sent to the canvas.
The fight ended when Haye was again sent crashing in the 11th but the encounter was so savage that Bellew also required hospital,treatment after suffering a broken hand,
The build up to the contest will be remembered for its bad blood and tension but both boxers showed mutual respect after a display of sheer heroism on both front.
The 37-year-old Haye is sure that there will be no war of words this time around and said: ‘I’ve tried not to get involved in trash talking around our rematch and want to let my fighting do the talking.’
Haye also insisted in his column in the Metro newspaper: ‘There will be only one outcome.
‘I have been trying hard and I will continue to. I will beat Bellew.
‘I feel in good shape and I know there are many, many good nights left for me as a fighter if I choose to carry on – it’s about mental fortitude and ignoring the naysayers.
‘There is always someone telling you to retire but I listen to my heart.
‘First I need to dispatch Bellew and I need to do it in spectacular fashion otherwise I will know it is time to hang up my gloves.’
Haye’s only other defeats have been against Vladimir Klitschko in the summer of 2011 when he lost an unanimous decision after being again sent sprawling in the 11th and fighting on with an injured foot.
His other loss was again an occasion when he was beaten by Carl Thompson for the IBO cruiserweight title but its was another epic occasion. There’s little,doubt David Haye gives his all when he climbs through the ropes.
