The intriguing thing about David Haye vs Tony Bellew - indeed perhaps the only intriguing thing - is that the pair genuinely don't like each other.
The WBC World cruiserweight champion has been an extremely vocal critic of Haye's comeback since long before a fight between the pair was ever mooted as a possibility; in June, he described Haye's recent fights as "freak shows," versus opponents who 'learned how to box on Youtube'.
Many agreed with him, and such was the positive reaction to Bellew's scathing takedown of Haye, the Liverpudlian seemed to realise a big-money fight with Haye wasn't a million miles off, again verbally crucifying the Londoner with an incredible post-fight rant after he defended his WBC title with a stoppage of BJ Flores last month.
And so fight they will, with tickets selling out in near-record time. Earlier today, Haye seemed to aim a left hook at Bellew during their press conference before both fighters were dragged away, likely earning the event another 50,000 pay-per-view buys in the process.
It was after their separation, however, when Haye caused untold damage while speaking live on Sky Sports News; asked by Andy Burton if he had any message for Bellew, Haye stared down the camera and said:
Tony Bellew, you're a bellend, and you're getting knocked out.
Despite Burton's past experience with the unsavoury football fans who ruined Transfer Deadline Day for Sky Sports with their dildos, blow-up dolls and the like, the Sky reporter seemed to mentally implode in the face of Haye's brazen breach of broadcasting regulations, simultaneously apologising to viewers while firmly putting his hand on Haye's shoulder, sternly indicating that he had asked the former unified cruiserweight champion not to swear. Haye remonstrated with him, but was swiftly sent packing by a furious Burton.
Okay, apologies for the language. Told you not to swear. You're not supposed to do THAT. You can't say that on daytime tv. There are kids watching. You can't do that. You can't do that. You can't do that. Apologies for David, apologies from us. Get outta here. Apologies.
It's an absolutely fascinating and thoroughly funny exchange between fighter and reporter, and you can watch it below:
David Haye well and truly sent to the Sky Sports News naughty corner #HayeBellew pic.twitter.com/5nP0MB3LGH
— Sophie Barley (@SophieBarley) November 30, 2016
