Tony Bellew says his wife scares him more than David Haye after heated weigh in at the O2 Arena
Cruiserweight champion says he wouldn't "dare" mess with his partner who has known since he was nine
TONY BELLEW has taunted David Haye, telling him: "I’m more frightened of my missus than you!"
But Haye hit back, accusing his grudge fight rival of scoffing pies to become a heavyweight.
The pair’s trash-talking continued at yesterday’s weigh-in for tonight’s O2 clash, as Haye came in nearly a stone heavier than his bitter rival for their non-title fight.
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But Bellew said: “I don’t give a fig about any man on this planet. I would fight any man. But I wouldn’t mess with Rachael. I wouldn’t dare.
“I don’t go home to her a penny short. She’s not to be played with.”
The Liverpudlian’s fiancee will watch on TV tonight rather than being ringside.
She had to be calmed down when Bellew’s victorious defence of his WBC world cruiserweight title in October against BJ Flores got ugly.
And Bellew added: “She was ready to fight with Flores. She doesn’t play around. She feels it like I do.
“I’ve been around this girl since I was nine. Everything I feel, she feels.”
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Bellew has sent his family away for a break in Dubai because of Haye’s taunts. And he revealed: “That’s why I sent my kids away.
“My youngest boy watches Soccer AM and I didn’t allow him to last Saturday because this fella says things which are a disgrace.
“It’s supposed to be a child-friendly programme and yet this guy is saying things like ‘I’m going to cave your head in’. He takes things too far.”
But yesterday, Haye, who has been warned by British boxing chiefs about his over-the-top insults and “f***ing r****ds” jibe at Bellew’s fans, continued his verbal assault.
Former WBA world heavyweight champ Hayemaker tipped the scales at 16st 9oz, with Bellew at 15st 3lbs 8oz.
And Haye said: “I put on some good healthy, usable muscle, he’s just eaten some pies. I feel better than ever, you’ll see a destructive performance. He doesn’t look like an athlete.”
Bellew can expect to pick up around £2.8million, the biggest purse of his career, while Londoner Haye will earn around £4.2m.
And Bellew could rake in even more if buys for the pay-per-view clash soar past present estimates.
Gate money is expected to top £2.5m, TV rights and sponsorship will rake in another £1m while PPV is set for around 600,000 buys to bring in another £10m.
That makes gross receipts of around £13.5m. After staging costs and Sky’s share, Bellew and Haye could spilt £7m, 60-40 in Haye’s favour.
