Wayne Rooney goes backstage to congratulate Tony Bellew after his victory over David Haye
Pair share a mutual love of Everton and boxer called them 'two true boyhood Blues' in emotional embrace
WAYNE ROONEY went backstage and congratulated Tony Bellew on his dramatic win over David Haye.
The pair share a mutual love of Everton and Bellew said they were "two true boyhood Blues".
Manchester United captain Rooney used to do a bit of boxing growing up as a kid in Croxteth.
So he was delighted with Bellew's 11th-round TKO of the former world heavyweight champion at London's O2 arena last night.
Bellew put his arm around England's all-time leading goalscorer as Wayne gushed: "It was f****** great, mate."
Roo continued: "You come out first round and I thought, 'F****** hell, what you doing?'"
To which Bellew replied: "I clipped him on the top of the head first round.
"I hit him in the first round and, I'm telling you, I've just heard him on Radio 5Live, he said I hit him with a left hook in the first round and it made him wary about reaching.
"He couldn't get his range and I knew it lad, it's done. What do I do now?"
Rooney added he was watching with United team-mate Marouane Fellaini.
He said: "Fellaini was with us by the way, he was made up. It was brilliant. I was nervous. I'm happy, buzzing, made up. Evertonian."
Bellew replied: "Two true boyhood Blues."
What they said: The full transcript between Wayne Rooney and Tony Bellew
Wayne Rooney: It was f****** great mate. You came out first round and I thought ‘f****** hell, what you doing?’
Tony Bellew: I clipped him on the top of the head first round.
Eddie Hearn: You were trading non-stop. You’re f****** nuts you are.
Bellew: I’m not running from no f***** mate. I’ll fight that Wilder, that Alabama p****. I’ll fight him, that p**** from Alabama.
Rooney: First round, I was just thinking ‘what’s he doing?’
Bellew: I hit him in the first round and, I’m telling ya, I’ve just heard him on Radio 5live, he said I hit him with a left hook in the first round and it made him wary about reaching. He couldn’t get his range and I knew it lad, it’s done. What do I do now?
Rooney: Fellaini was with us by the way, he was made up. Distin as well. It was brilliant, I was nervous. I’m just happy for him, buzzing, made up. Evertonian, f******…
Bellew: Two true boyhood Blues.
Rooney: Champion of the world and goes up a weight and against David Haye, who’s one of the most powerful heavyweights.
Bellew: Ah mate, I can’t keep doing this.
Reporter (to Rooney): What are your thoughts on a rematch at Goodison?
Bellew: That’s what he wants!
Rooney: It was a hell of a fight, incredible. Tony fought with him and showed his power. I thought if it went past five rounds Tony would win. After it went past five rounds I expected him to win.
Dave Coldwell: What a night. What was it like from outside?
Rooney: It’s horrible, honestly! It's worse... I know Tony, but obviously I don’t know him… It's horrible when your heart's beating. And obviously we were all there and wanted him to win. But after the first round I was thinking ‘f***, this can’t go on.’ But he boxed clever.
Coldwell: He was dead relaxed because his mind was in a good frame. So, if he listens, he does what we work on and that’s what he did. Even in the ring, that weren’t an act. We were calm, he was buzzing to music. I’m not sure about some of those moves he was pulling off.
Rooney: When you’re watching it’s hard to watch. Probably harder for us than for you. Obviously yous know what’s going on. Nah, he was brilliant. I’m so happy for him.
Coldwell: It was such a sweet night.
Rooney: And he’s done exactly what he said he’d do.
Coldwell: I’ve hard you can box?
Rooney: I’ve done it when I was younger.
Coldwell: Better footballer though!
Rooney: I’d fight you anyway, look at the size of you!
Coldwell: Don’t you start. Listen you know what happened to the last lot that f****** made fun of my height?
Rooney: I’ve seen you play football by the way, in a Man United kit.
Coldwell: I’m a big Man United fan.
Rooney: If you want tickets or anything just give me a shout.
Coldwell: Thanks mate, appreciate that.
Rooney responded: "Champion of the world and goes up a weight and against David Haye, who's one of the most powerful heavyweights."
Bellow fired back: "Ah, mate, I can't keep doing this."
Rooney then added: "It was a hell of a fight, incredible. Tony fought with him and showed his power.
"I thought if it went past five rounds Tony would win.
"After it went past five rounds I expected him to win."
And it turns out Rooney is not alone.
Disgraced former world champion Tyson Fury tweeted more than a month ago that he thought Bellew would emerge victorious.
He was mocked at the time but was proven right by Bellew's heroics.