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David Haye vs Tony Bellew as it happened: Haye beaten after suffering suspected Achilles injury

Re-live the heavyweight fight at the O2 Arena

Mark Critchley
O2 Arena
Saturday 04 March 2017 14:39 GMT
Tony Bellew is hit with a right hook from Daid Haye
Tony Bellew is hit with a right hook from Daid Haye (Getty)

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Tony Bellew defeated David Haye in a stunning upset at London's O2 Arena after taking full advantage of an ankle injury that the ex-heavyweight world champion suffered in the sixth round, with Shane McGuigan pulling Haye out of the fight in the 11th round.

Bellew impressed in the opening round as he looked to pick Haye off with a number of counters, but Haye grew into the fight and started to dominate as he looked for the big knockout.

However, Haye appeared to slip midway through the sixth round, and he immediately glanced down at his right foot before limping back to his corner. Haye was in obvious discomfort, but wanted to continue the fight and valiantly fought on. Bellew grew in confidence though, and in the 11th round he landed a left hook that sent Haye crashing through the ropes and brought in the towel from McGuigan.

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When is it?

The fight will take place on Saturday 4 March at London’s O2 Arena.

What time will it start?

The first fights of the night start from 5.10pm, with Haye and Bellew expected to make their ring entrances around 10.30pm.

Where can I watch it?

The main event and the undercard will be shown live on Sky Sports Box Office.

Alternatively, you can bookmark this article, which will become The Independent’s live blog.

Who’s on the undercard?

Sam Eggington vs Paulie Malignaggi
WBC international welterweight title, 12 rounds

Ohara Davies vs Derry Matthews
WBC silver super lightweight title, 12 rounds

Lee Selby vs Andoni Gago
Super-featherweight, 10 rounds

Ted Cheeseman vs Jack Sellars
Super-welterweight, 10 rounds

Katie Taylor vs Monica Gentili
Lightweight, 6 rounds

David Allen vs David Howe
Heavyweight, 6 rounds

Craig Glover vs Jake Bonallie
​Cruiserweight, 4 rounds

What are their records?

Wins, wins by knockout, losses, draws

Haye: W28 KO26 L2 D0

Bellew: W28 KO18 L2 D1

Who will win?

What are they saying?

David Haye: “On Saturday night you will see a real destruction job. Knocking him down for 10 seconds does nothing for me. I'm predicting a quick knock-out, a showreel knockout, a violent knock-out...

“He's got under my skin, he's chased me for a year-and-a-half, really made things personal. I'll make sure he never, ever, ever does that again.”

Tony Bellew: “It’s going to take a big shot to land right on the chin to drop me. People don’t drop me with shots on the temple. As any fighter does, we all go down. Very few get up.

“I’ve done it on multiple occasions. Once he sees that I can keep coming after he’s landed something of decent size, that’s when his will is going to fall apart.”

What are the odds?

Odds provided by 888.com

Haye: 2/13

Bellew: 4/1

Haye by KO: 1/4

Haye by points: 13/2

Bellew by KO: 13/2

Bellew by decision: 16/1

Round nine: I'll tell you this for free, this Haye gets cleaned out by Joshua. FIrst though, he's got to get there, and the moment he's nowhere near. Bellew simply can't find the power to take an established heavyweight out, though. Haye penalised for a low blow. Bellew in total control.

Mark Critchley4 March 2017 23:23

Round ten: Haye looking exhuasted, but still makes the bell. Comes out swinging at one point and completely misses. Bellew in total control, still struggling to put him away, but sensibly trying nothing too fancy.

Mark Critchley4 March 2017 23:27

Round eleven: Haye knocked out of the ring, corner throw in the towel! Bellew wins! 

Sensational. Haye was little more than a walking cadaver after the sixth, but it looked like Bellew would struggle to put him away and take a decision. But then a left sends a tumbling Haye through the ropes.

He clambers up, just about makes the count but Shane McGuigan and co. are having no more of it. Haye defeated.

Mark Critchley4 March 2017 23:30

Haye talking, says he didn't expect Bellew to have the chin and the durability that he showed.

I think he speaks for all of us there. I, for one, did not expect that and only saw a comfortable Haye stoppage coming. I was very wrong.

Mark Critchley4 March 2017 23:37

Bellew declares himself 'the champion of the misfits', a fitting moniker.

There's rematch talk too, with Bellew remindinng everybody that the salt and pepper is on his side of the table now.

Mark Critchley4 March 2017 23:40

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