Tony Bellew and David Haye have been warned by the British Boxing Board of Control about their conduct during this week’s filming of The Gloves Are Off, says promoter Eddie Hearn.
The bitter rivals will come face to face for the first time since their press conference bust-up in November and have continued to trade insults ahead of their heavyweight grudge fight at The O2 on March 4.
Tempers boiled over as they posed for press conference pictures as Bellew shoved Haye, who responded by aiming a punch at the Merseysider, and the Board has vowed to take severe action if there is a repeat of these scenes.
Hearn, who is Bellew’s promoter, told Sky Sports: “Of course you’re in a situation where it’s the first time they have come face to face since the last time where one pushed one and one hit the other, so it’s not ideal.
“But I think Tony is sensible enough and they have both been warned by the British Boxing Board of Control. Any more problems and they both have the threat of their licence being taken away.”
Asked if he will speak to Bellew, Hearn said: “One hundred per cent, both of them actually.
“David is not really going to listen to me, but I feel like I have got a relationship with Tony where I can. But when you’re a foot away from another man that you dislike and the insults are being traded across the floor, anything can happen.
“That’s also the beauty of the show. We need to keep the rawness of that and also remember that we have a reputation to keep, and an image to protect for the sport of boxing.”
Bellew has suggested that Haye could ‘quit’ if the fight becomes too demanding, while the Londoner insists he is physically better than ever, and Hearn believes both will be trying to gain a mental edge on The Gloves Are Off.
“Haye and Bellew are very intelligent, they have been around the sport for a while, and I think they are going to be trying to play mind games with each other as well in this,” said Hearn.
“This will be interesting to watch. Not just from the rawness and the volatility of the two of them, but actually from a mental aspect as well. I think they will both try and get under each other’s skins in various different ways.”
Bellew has demanded an apology from Haye for his punch at the press conference, but Hearn doubts whether he will receive one.
He said: “No I don’t. I don’t know how he thinks that’s going to come, in the form of flowers, or maybe a box of Milk Tray, but no, I can’t see it. Perhaps he should ask for one.”
