18 February 2023 , 18:59
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Former boxer Tony Bellew has said he was so terrified of bitter rival David Haye ’s punching power he made a will before fighting him.
He beat Haye, known as The Hayemaker and who notched 26 of 28 career wins by knockout, in two brutal grudge bouts.
But he has revealed he went into the first clash fearing he could die in the ring – so he visited a solicitor to ensure partner Rachel and their kids were provided for.
Bellew, 40, said: “I knew full well he could have killed me that night because he was the one fighter powerful and dangerous enough to kill me.
"I went to the solicitors and signed a will as I wasn’t married to my missus at the time and she wouldn’t have got the money.
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Bellew said he believed Haye was the only fighter powerful enough to kill him (Dave Benett/WireImage)"I was walking to the ring thinking that could happen.”
Ex-cruiserweight champ Bellew, nicknamed The Bomber, defeated ex-cruiserweight and heavyweight champ Haye at London’s O2 Arena in 2017 and 2018.
Speaking on the Rockwater podcast, the dad of four – who is now a TV pundit and starred as “Pretty” Ricky Conlan in Rocky spin-off Creed – added: “People think you are joking when you say your life is on the line. But some people never make it home.
"When you get to the level I’ve been to, they are literally killers with boxing gloves on.”
Meanwhile, Haye, 42, made headlines recently with rumours he is in a throuple with singer Una Healy, 41, and model Sian Osborne, 31.
On February 14, he wrote to both on Instagram : “Happy Valentine’s Day to the beautiful Queens in my life.”