LEW BLOW
Tony Bellew pushes David Haye as tensions rise during head-to-head at final press conference before heavyweight rematch
The Everton fan shoved the 38-year-old backwards ahead of their eagerly-anticipated bout at the 02 Arena this Saturday
TONY BELLEW lost his cool during the final press conference with David Haye as he shoved the Londoner during their head-to-head.
Tensions threatened to boil over between the two heavyweights, with the Everton fan claiming the 38-year-old got so close he thought he would kiss him.
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Speaking immediately after the incident, the former WBC cruiserweight champ said: "It was just a little push and shove. He just wanted to get closer.
"We came close to kissing but it's not that kind of party and I had to remove him from my space.
"The mask comes off on Saturday. I've never tried to get under his skin. It doesn't matter if he loves or detest me.
"I don't know why he wanted to get that close to me."
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While he also added: "I don’t think he fancies me in all honesty, why would he fancy a man more ugly than you."
Haye was quick to play down the incident, claiming the pressure has got to his opponent, and suggesting he is just trying to get a reaction out of him.
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He told Sky Sports: "I think the pressure has got to him. Bellew's been trying to wind me up and get to me but he can't.
"He knows he hasn't got a reaction from me and is trying to push it out of me. It was a weak move.
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"The mask is me not trying to lose my rag because I do have a temper.
"The fire will come on Saturday, I'm calm and not using any unnecessary energy."
Before adding: "I don't care about him, he's irrelevant, it's all about me. I got it wrong last time, this time I got it right.
"He pushed me to get a reaction, it's a weak move but I believe I won the battle of the mind games."
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Haye is looking to avenge the loss he suffered against the 35-year-old last March, and has adopted a cautious approach to the rematch.
Former world title challenger Matthew Macklin believes Bellew did manage to rattle the Millwall supporter ahead of Saturday's bout at the 02 Arena.
He said: "The presser had a bit of everything. Haye was starting to react a little bit, but was really trying not to bite.
"Bellew was goading him, mocking his laugh and all sorts."
And it wasn't just the two former world champions that caused a fuss at the press conference, with Inbetweeners star James Buckley hilariously making an entrance.
Buckley - who played Jay Cartwright in the hit E4 comedy - stunned Bellew with his entrance, after he labelled Haye's manager Adam Moralee as Will McKenzie from the popular show.
The 30-year-old said: "Definitely one of the most bizarre things I've ever done. And I've done some weird s***!"
Bellew said of the incident: "Styles make fights, I'm here to show who has the better attributes in a boxing ring - I'm better.
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“Jay from The Inbetweeners came out and it did take me out of my comfort zone.
“I just want to get in there and get away from the circus, to close my eyes and it’s Sunday.”
In other news, Tyson Fury has exclusively told SunSport why he speaks with a husky voice.
The returning 'Gypsy King' has revealed it is all down to being punched in the throat two years ago, resulting in a blood clot that he is not going to get removed.
David Haye insists it is his time ahead of Tony Bellew rematch
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