One of the most anticipated bouts in the recent history of British boxing takes place on Saturday night.
David Haye’s grudge match with Tony Bellew is just around the corner and the vitriolic trash talk that has preceded the bout, Bellew’s first at heavyweight, has made it a must-watch spectacle in the UK.
But it would seem that the hype hasn’t exactly translated across the Atlantic.
Not only was all-time great Floyd Mayweather unaware that the British showdown was taking place this weekend, he didn’t even know Haye was still fighting.
The BBC Sport reporter received an unexpected reaction when he asked the 49-0 former fighter for his take on the trash talk that has preceded Haye vs. Bellew.
“This is my first time even hearing about the David Haye fight,” Mayweather said.
“I didn’t know that he still was fighting.
“But as far as the trash talking goes, it’s OK to trash talk but being disrespectful is something totally different. I heard he was talking about the fans.
“I think David Haye should just focus on the fight.”
Haye hinted at retirement in 2011 but accepted a 2012 bout against Dereck Chisora before he hung up the gloves for four years.
He has knocked out the two opponents he’s faced since returning to the ring and welcomes Bellew to the heavyweight division in Saturday night’s main event.
But Mayweather couldn’t be less interested in the fight by the sounds of things as he seems to be altogether focused on getting the fight with UFC superstar Conor McGregor over the line.
