Norman

They don't look cool, no matter the shape & size they look f***ing ridiculous.  I was on a night out in Chesterfield a few years ago, before they became so popular and the mate of a girl I was chatting to, was sucking on one that was about 10 inches long (nobody snigger FFS), and it just looked wrong.  The other day some idiot mother was trying to squeeze into a parking space outside my lad's school with one clamped in her gob.  Mingin!!!
You could put Kelly Brook & Margot Robbie in front of me, in matching lace corsets & stockings, begging me that they wanted to make me the filling in a Br-Obbie sandwich, but if both em started puffing away on one of those things I'd politely decline...

Well, interesting appetiser for the UFC later assuming I can stay awake that long.

If not for the Achilles, Haye would have finished him. He started to look better before the injury. Then we might have had AJ vs Haye sometime down the line, and that would have been over in the first round. Joshua would have had him on toast in front of a packed Wembley Stadium. So be thankful you will never suffer that anticlimax.

Please end this bumlicking interview. Nausea. 

This was not a world class fight. Haye will retire and Bellew ought to be embarrassed.
Thats not to say it wasn't a great spectacle though!

Oh please! The new star of British boxing?! He couldn't even hurt a man on one leg!

Same here... and looking forward to it!! 
I didn't know about Degale. 
Watched The Gloves are Off with Haye Bellew.
Haye actually said something like
"Apparently fighting a cruiserweight is something people want to see now. Apparently that's a thing. I'm a prize fighter and I want to be the biggest PPV fighter on the planet"
I don't like that. I like to think footballers play for glory first and money second. That boxers fight for belts first and money second. 
But I can't really argue with it tbh. I'd rather he did come out and be honest rather than criticise the opponents of others or claim his opponents are at his level. 
Really want Tyson Fury back in the mix. Just want to see the big names clash. Not like @Bris Vegas said where they all fight when ones past their best.
Joshua v Haye needs to happen soon if it's going to happen so I get your point. 

Look at the Canello belt as an example and De Gale being allowed to use his teeth as an excuse to get out of his mandatory. The board's aren't strong enough. The rankings are becoming pointless, the politics overbearing.
I don't know why you pay for it. Youre too intelligent to fall for it all and you know your ****. Probably why you get so wound up on Haye. He stands for everything boxing fans shouldnt like. But I'd like to see him fight Joshua next summer (2018).
The undercards weak too, isn't it? Katie Taylor now acts as a filler for me. Allen is used as the comedy piece, nobody questioning if he's ready for this fight, or if he's getting the best advice. As long as he gives us a couple of one-liners, Hearn will use him. Which leaves us with another London/Liverpool "grudge" match, maliginalli (never get his name right) who can't throw a solid punch anymore (which is a good job cos his opponent has taken too many punches to the head already) and a none title main event. How do they do it?
I'm buying though lol.

Gary Monk's ridiculously low side-parting. 

I understand.
I wish Bellew hadn't called him out. Let him float about looking for opponents. He turned his back on the WBO route. A world title. Making him instantly on a par with Wilder or Joshua, Parker, Ortiz. He chose not to. Look how he responds when Bellew brings it up. He knows.
I guess what really grates me is that people are always questioning the choice of opponents for boxers. But then mismatch fights like this sell. 
It's dangerous for starters. 
GGG v Brook
Dave Allen v Luis Ortiz
David Haye v Tony Bellew
Eubank Jnr v Quinlan
And people criticise Joshua!! 18 fights old. 
Haye had 2 fights to test that shoulder. He had a path to a world title. 
Probably gone OTT in my dislike of Haye to be honest Norman.
Fans just want to see the best v the best. No shortcuts. Great fights between  two blokes worthy of each other. No ducking ffs. Like Pulev and Chisora turning down Joshua. 
Haye is a proper political boxer. And Hearn is getting on my nerves with some of these fights. Having Dave Allen go again.
I guess it's just the same old boxing bull pooh. 
And I'll tune in. And hope for Bellew to win. 
But we all know we've seen the end of this movie. Why are we paying to view it?! 

He has himself ranked, he has established his fan base again and has proved himself ppv worthy again. He now has a big payday with someone he should get rid of quickly. He had none of this 15 months ago. 
There's one thing left. Test the shoulder before moving up in class again. He needs a 4-6 rounder with someone he is more than comfortable to be in with. And here it is. Probably by luck, probably unplanned. He had tried lining up names like Briggs, he tried selling it, but I genuinely dont think the public were interested.
He's also 36, so if there is a safer, quicker way to getting the big fight  with Joshua - the big payday, the titles etc - then I'm not sure there was one.
He has to test the shoulder first. He has to make sure he can come through camps after Fury. Yes, he plans things, yes he sells fights, yes he loves the money and the lifestyle, but I'm not sure things could have gone better in terms of getting ranked, getting through camps, getting his fans back and a major broadcaster trusting him to turn up without injury.
After this fight, if he's tested, I think you will get some of what you wish for. Hes only Got 3 fights after this for me. One this year, two next.
 

Haye is smart. You have pretty much answered your own questions to an extent. It's simple Haye wants to be the best so he got him self into a position where he could shoot up the rankings. Di mori was ranked in the top 10 so that was an easy route back and the other guy had a crazy long unbeaten run so that again boosted him up.
Fighting scott? did you see his fight against Ortiz why would anyone want to pay to see that? He wants the best of the best. Those names you mention are not. He will get far more money and more hype by lining up fights with the likes of Joshua.
He is at the tail end of his career even if it is a new comeback so there's no point in holding back. 
To be the best you have to beat the best. We will see on Saturday whether this new Haye has still got it and if he has then I genuinely believe he is the biggest threat to AJ

I also predict Haye will win by KO in early rounds, just will have too much for Bellew.
Another fight looking forward to Saturday is Thurman v Garcia.Should be a good one, I will take Garcia in a close decision.

After watching the pad work yesterday, the difference in power and speed is huge. Maybe Bellew was holding back, but he hasn't got a chance imo. If he isn't knocked out by round two, Haye will go to the body. Make sure Bellew is losing recovery time etc so the middle rounds are easier for himself. 
Haye is just ******* everyone around with the yachts and the injuries. Hes got Shane in on it, so im assuming the money available for fighting Joshua is huge. Haye is making sure hes the opposite of Joshua. People are going to want "boring" Joshua to be trash talked, wound up and given a fight. Haye is making himself the one the public will want to fight Joshua. The bad blood with Hearn helps too. Very cleverly done imo. He's not stupid, though - you can tell from his interviews.

After watching the pad work yesterday, the difference in power and speed is huge. Maybe Bellew was holding back, but he hasn't got a chance imo. If he isn't knocked out by round two, Haye will go to the body. Make sure Bellew is losing recovery time etc so the middle rounds are easier for himself. 
Haye is just ******* everyone around with the yachts and the injuries. Hes got Shane in on it, so im assuming the money available for fighting Joshua is huge. Haye is making sure hes the opposite of Joshua. People are going to want "boring" Joshua to be trash talked, wound up and given a fight. Haye is making himself the one the public will want to fight Joshua. The bad blood with Hearn helps too. Very cleverly done imo. He's not stupid, though - you can tell from his interviews.

After watching the pad work yesterday, the difference in power and speed is huge. Maybe Bellew was holding back, but he hasn't got a chance imo. If he isn't knocked out by round two, Haye will go to the body. Make sure Bellew is losing recovery time etc so the middle rounds are easier for himself. 
Haye is just ******* everyone around with the yachts and the injuries. Hes got Shane in on it, so im assuming the money available for fighting Joshua is huge. Haye is making sure hes the opposite of Joshua. People are going to want "boring" Joshua to be trash talked, wound up and given a fight. Haye is making himself the one the public will want to fight Joshua. The bad blood with Hearn helps too. Very cleverly done imo. He's not stupid, though - you can tell from his interviews.

I realise I might be crucified for this comparison, but David Haye has undergone what the professional wrestling business calls a 'heel turn'. Anthony Joshua is the biggest babyface around right now and it's building to that. 
Not comparing the 'sports', just making a point about fight promotion. It works just the same. To draw money in a big fight, you need a guy people like, and you need a guy that everyone wants to see with his face caved in. 

After watching the pad work yesterday, the difference in power and speed is huge. Maybe Bellew was holding back, but he hasn't got a chance imo. If he isn't knocked out by round two, Haye will go to the body. Make sure Bellew is losing recovery time etc so the middle rounds are easier for himself. 
Haye is just ******* everyone around with the yachts and the injuries. Hes got Shane in on it, so im assuming the money available for fighting Joshua is huge. Haye is making sure hes the opposite of Joshua. People are going to want "boring" Joshua to be trash talked, wound up and given a fight. Haye is making himself the one the public will want to fight Joshua. The bad blood with Hearn helps too. Very cleverly done imo. He's not stupid, though - you can tell from his interviews.

I can only apologise for the atrocious boxing cliche but it's one of those recurring tropes - if Bellew survives the first few rounds, the ball is in his court.
That said, Haye could surprise us and have a go at the conservative approach, make Bellew rethink his plans to just hold back the storm and actually surprise him late on instead. It's not his style, granted, but it depends how he rates Bellew truthfully. He says Bellew's a nobody and he'll knock him out early doors, and I'm inclined to agree that he's not as good as he thinks he is, but who knows if Haye really believes in the threat of Bellew or not.
I don't think Haye will be in as poor shape as people think. I wouldn't believe the photos of him in Miami, the guy is a dedicated athlete and he's only 36 so he's not exactly over the hill. What he's lost in speed he'll make up for in power. I don't think he needs to knock him out early on, I reckon he'll be prepared for the distance if it comes to it. He does need to hurt him early on if he's going for that approach but I don't think he's going to be gassed 4 rounds in. He just needs to use the time he has early on wisely because as I said, it's Bellew's fight later on and Haye needs to have made enough of an impact before that.

Have you seen the interview in the changing rooms after with Allen on iFL?
Hearn interrupts saying "that's what he needs to do more of. He needs to listen to me more. I Will look after you now cos that win is down to me telling him what to do." 
Well, No, stop putting him in with elite heavyweights!!! He's fought harder fights than the other heavyweight champions currently have. It's crazy. And you just know he wasnt paid what he should have been. Hearns making him think he needs him. Maybe he does now.

Unfortunately, I couldn't go with him, but my brother and a friend of his went to the Wilder fight in Birmingham. Anyway, he thought Wilder wasn't too impressive overall or looked that confident either. Interested to see where he goes from here. Really only two main avenues I see for him: Either take on Parker or the winner of Joshua/Wlad. Probably take on Parker first if I had to guess.

Yeah!! 
Do you think Hearn is treating him as a bit of sideshow.
'Oh, you've got a pretty decent following? Ok Dave, here's a fiver. Now dance for me. Here, have a go with Luis Ortiz.
Dave, can you do a bit on my show next week. Say something funny. Bring some mates.'
Allen seems like a top bloke. He needs help not someone taking the piss out of him

Oh and Price... I felt sorry for him but I couldn't help but laugh at his level of fitness. 
You can't call out Joshua and then let a bloke half your size with half your power keep standing on your toes while you try desperately to catch your breath. After 2 rounds.
I know Hammer is decent but Price embarrassed himself. He can be better than that. 
Doubt he'll comeback from that.

I think Bellew was badly advised by Hearn about a big day with no belt on the line. The plan must have been to secure this payday, try and look good in the press conferences, give a battling display like Brook, become more household and secure bigger numbers, even ppv for a big title defence/unification.
Like you say, I think its a bad choice. I think Hearn was listening to too many rumours about Haye. Maybe even Haye was putting the whispers out there, hes got the same plan as Bellew after all, and its all ended in this.
Price is done. A shame imo. He was close to a big win mentally. Vargas was just classy. Annoyingly so. So quick on the back foot. Judges had it closer than I did.

Can't criticise Hayes ability. And I think Bellew would have been better off calling out Chisora or Whyte if he wants a big hyped up payday with a heavyweight so his belt isn't on the line. 
He's gone and called out a man that's going to be hard to exploit on any level. I agree with Bellew on how Haye has managed his comeback but that's not for Bellew to step in as an opponent. 
If he'd called out Whyte then you'd get all the drama. You'd keep your belt. And you'd be facing a heavyweight that struggled with the mobility of a cruiserweight last year. He's mad. 
That Cleverly fight was the worst hype/fight. Everyone expected another tear up. What a flop. 
I reckon Haye will score an early knockdown but Bellew won't go out easy. I reckon it will finish with Bellew on the ropes not replying.
Did anyone watch David Price v Christian Hammer, Wilder Washington or McConnell v Vargas?