Long time rival and former foe Tony Bellew has given his response following today’s news that his old adversary David Haye has hung up the gloves.

The decision came following back to back losses to Bellew over the last year in a very public build up to both fights that saw the man turn from bitter enemies – to having mutual respect for one another in the end.

Before the first fight between the two last year the hatred was almost oozing out of both men for one another with remarks they often leveled at one another.

As personal as they could possibly make them.

However, that all seemed to end after the conclusion of the second fight and speaking today on David Haye retiring Bellew had nothing but respect for him on social media:

“Nothing but respect and admiration for you.. You’ve had a career that any fighter would be immensely proud of. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to fight yourself the first time around! It changed mine & my family’s life forever so I’ll always be indebted to you.”

Bellew is currently mulling over who he is going to take on next or if he is going to box on at all.