Tony Bellew was understandably emotional after moving to 2-0 against his fiercest rival.
Bellew proved in no uncertain terms that there was nothing flukey about his victory over David Haye last March by getting the job done in half the time on Saturday night.
‘Bomber’ took Haye’s early power punches and spread his arms to let everybody inside London’s O2 Arena know that he was not afraid of his opponent’s knockout power.
Haye was dropped twice in the third round and was on his backside again in the fifth. One furious flurry later and referee Howard Foster decided he’d seen enough.
In his post-fight interview, Bellew didn’t want to start by calling fighters out or by patting himself on his back. He wanted to pay tribute to his brother-in-law Ashley Roberts, who tragically died last year.
“I just want to say first and foremost that I lost my brother-in-law in August,” Bellew said.
“And his dad’s here tonight with his two other brothers. I gave an empty seat and I swear to God he was sitting there watching me tonight. I know he was.
“So, Ashley Roberts, I miss you more than life itself. I swear, kid, that every punch I threw was for you.
“That’s for my brother-in-law.”
Those watching the fight on Sky Sports Box Office were moved to tears as Bellew spoke with raw emotion about his brother-in-law.
Crying me eyes out at Bellew like! What a bloke!
— WaleZ (@Jake_Wales1) May 5, 2018
Ah ay Tony Bellew has got me in tears here 💔
— Shirley Smith (@ShirleyS87) May 5, 2018
In tears 😭 i told you all bellew would win 🥊🥊 @TonyBellew you are my hero 🙌 this one was for Ashley 🙏😇 you’ve done your family proud god bless you all 💙💙
— Pamela Corry (@PamelaCorry) May 5, 2018
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