Tony Bellew Makes Demands For David Haye Rematch

From being the unfancied underdog to becoming a contender for the WBO heavyweight title, Tony Bellew's shock victory over David Haye at the O2 Arena in March transformed the Liverpudlian fighter into a superstar, overnight.

The former WBC cruiserweight champion has been linked with several different opponents since he stopped Haye in the 11th round of their 4th March showdown, with potential heavyweight clashes against WBO champion Joseph Parker and WBC champ Deontay Wilder suggested for the Evertonian.

A rematch with Haye, however, is still the bout that would likely generate the most interest.

In the pair's clash at the O2, an achilles injury suffered in the sixth round hampered Haye, who bravely carried on, only to be completely dominated by Bellew for five rounds before trainer Shane McGuigan threw the towel in for the Hayemaker, earning Bellew an 11th round TKO victory in his first bout as a heavyweight.

Bellew dominated Haye during their first fight, with Haye suffering an injured achilles in the sixth round. Image: PA

For that fight, the purse was split 60-40 in Haye's favour, with the former heavyweight champion earning a reported £4.2 million, compared to the £2.8 million Bellew pocketed from the bout.

If the two were to step into the ring against one another again, however, Bellew would insist the roles are reversed and that he is the one pocketing the lion's share of the split.

"I'll tell you right now, you're the first guys who have got the interview, I will fight him as long our deal is reversed.

"So he's got to take the deal that I took for the first fight. That is the only way the fight's happening. There is no debating. There are no negotiations to take place.

"He's got to flip the deal round and it's as simple as that. That is the only way the rematch is happening and if he doesn't then so be, I'll fight Joseph Parker for the heavyweight championship of the world."

Bellew celebrates after his shock victory over Haye at the O2 Arena, on 4th March. Once an underdog in the rivalry between the two fighters, now it's Bellew who holds all the cards. Image: PA

In the immediate aftermath of the Haye fight, Bellew, who collected his biggest ever payday from the bout, said he was contemplating retirement, having achieved everything he had ever set out to accomplish in the sport. Promoter Eddie Hearn did claim that Bellew would fight again in 2017, though, sparking rumours of potential opponents for the Bomber.

"I've got three or four options, if the truth be known but in my eyes there are only two options that I really like and there's only two options that mean anything and one of those options is Joseph Parker and the only reason he's an option is because he's WBO heavyweight champion of the world.

"And the other option is do a rematch and give this guy [David Haye] a second chance."

But will Haye accept Bellew's demands? Would there even be the same amount of interest in a rematch as there was for the first fight?

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