David Haye says he expects to be fined for his comments in the lead-up to the Tony Bellew fight, that included calling the Liverpool fighter’s fans ‘f***ing r*****s’
DAVID HAYE expects to be fined by the British Boxing Board of Control for his comments in the build-up to his crushing defeat to Tony Bellew.
Fight-week descended into a fair amount of vitriol, as both boxers tried to win the mind games ahead of their domestic showdown.
The main flashpoint came during the press conference in Liverpool, Bellew's hometown.
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Fans in Liverpool showed their support for their homegrown boxer and the hostile atmosphere clearly unsettled the former world champion.
And as Haye lost his temper, he said to the crowd: “You’re all f***ing r****ds.”
He said: "Some of the comments went too far. If I have to pay a fine, I'll happily pay and take whatever punishment I need to,"
When you get into that beast mode before the fight, you're not thinking about political correctness, you're not thinking about fines, you're just thinking about getting in the ring," he said.
"When you're in that beast mode you say things which rub the average person up the wrong way."
The Bermondsey man was pulled out by his corner in the 11th round of the O2 Arena London fight, after being sent crashing through the ropes by Bellew.
It was then revealed Haye had snapped his Achilles in the sixth round of the bout, that essentially left him fighting on one leg.
He underwent a two-and-a-half-hour operation to re-attach his Achilles, and is expected to be out of action for between six and nine months.