by Cliff Rold

In the end, it looks like what we got is what was expected: a commercial for Tony Bellew-David Haye.

As far as commercials go, it wasn’t too bad. While Tony Bellew retained his cruiserweight belt in dominant fashion, he still had to work for it. We got a couple big fellas throwing big shots followed by one of the better post-fight call outs in recent memory.

Let’s go to the report card.

Grades

Pre-Fight: Speed – Bellew B; Flores B-/Post: B; B
Pre-Fight: Power – Bellew B; Flores B-/Post: B+; B
Pre-Fight: Defense – Bellew B; Flores B/Post: B; C-
Pre-Fight: Intangibles – Bellew B; Flores B-/Post: B+; C

When a guy gets dropped four times and ended in three rounds, it’s hard to find a lot of positives. Flores had a few. He had a good first round, flashing a quick jab and even appearing to stun Bellew for a moment.

In a wild second round, Flores appeared to rock Bellew back on his heels following the first knockdown of the night. They engaged in some solid exchanges before Bellew dropped him two more times. Each of the first three times he was dropped Flores got up fighting to win. His punching wasn’t accurate enough but he didn’t leave his guns in the holster. 

That’s about it for positives. Ultimately, Flores was what his record suggested: a 37-year old fighter who might as well be semi-retired. His chin has always been an asset but aging legs sometimes struggle to absorb punishment. Flores never really recovered from the first knockdown and created the opening for it to happen.

Caught by a shot below the bell, Flores looked to the official for a call. When it didn’t come, he continued to complain instead of maintaining his poise. Protect yourself at all times and all that. Bellew seized the moment and kept landing the shots he needed while avoiding enough haymakers to stay on top.

In the end it was another knockout for a Bellew who is proving he belongs at cruiserweight more than he did at light heavyweight. He looks heavy; he fights just fine. His is relaxed and loose in there, changing speeds and lowering the boom with good timing.

Does this now mean a showdown with Haye? Haye, since coming back, hasn’t appeared overly interested in tough fights at heavyweight. This would follow that track while also being a step up from his other comeback foes.

Bellew would allow him to fight a solid foe that should be safe for him. Haye was once a fantastic cruiserweight and is naturally bigger, faster, and heavier handed. This fight has already begun its sale mode in earnest.

Can Bellew upset the apple cart if they face off? It’s unlikely, but he’ll make it fun while it lasts.  

Report Card and Staff Picks 2016: 36-12

Cliff Rold is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene, a founding member of the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board, and a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America.  He can be reached at roldboxing@hotmail.com