Haye vs Bellew II: Former world champ Glenn McCrory says Hayemaker ‘deluded’ if he thinks he can return to the top of boxing
McCrory says David Haye needs the fight more than Bellew but he won't trouble the best in the heavyweight division
FORMER world champion Glen McCrory says David Haye is "deluded" if the thinks he can trouble the best in the heavyweight division.
Speaking at a press conference to announce his rematch with Tony Bellew, 36-year-old David Haye says he still wants to "be the best heavyweight in the world".
Haye revealed that he was keen to fight for titles again - against the likes of Anthony Joshua, Deontay Wilder or Anthony Parker - if he beats his rival.
McCrory, catching up with SunSport in London, doesn't think either has enough to trouble anyone near that level.
The former cruiserweight king said: "David doesn't think Tony is anywhere near his level.
"This time he thinks he'll go out there and do what he wanted to do first time and demolish him.
"I don't think [either have] got enough left. I think Tony will definitely [retire].
"If he had any real desire to be the best cruiserweight in the world he'd be in the Super Series.
Ten or 15 years ago I was playing for Newcastle against Sunderland in a charity game at St James' Park.
Glenn McCrory on age catching up to us all
I was getting in decent shape. Shearer, Gazza, all that.
I'm warming up on the sidelines and as I'm about to go on - thinking I used to be a bit of a striker in my day, most goals in the region for my age - I was thinking it's my time to shine.
Jack Charlton turns and says 'you'll pull your muscle 30 seconds lad'.
I'm thinking 'what?'
Got on the field and a Sunderland winger went flying past me and I took off... and he was exactly right.
"It's really the only fight left for both of them.
"Tony, at his age and what he's been through, he doesn't want to be fighting young cruiserweights.
"He's made his family secure, he got the win.
"Haye needs the fight more than Bellew.
"Tony's thinking 'I've beat him before, I'm getting more money, we're doing the fight my way' this time."
When asked on Haye's chances of being a threat in the heavyweight division beyond this fight, McCrory added: "No, no, he's deluded.
"In my mind I'd still fancy a shot at Joshua.
"The reality is after three weeks training I wouldn't be able to get up the stairs.
"David can do all the controlled sparring he wants, at his pace.
"But when he's back in the ring, throwing in anger, 20,000 people in the crowd, the fear that comes in, everything else.
"You can't control that.
"The reality is, every day that goes by we're a little bit older, slower.
"David's last credible opponent was Dereck Chisora... five years ago.
"The last time he looked good was against Audley [Harrison] - that's seven years ago - and he didn't have a lot to beat there.
"We're talking about seven years."
