David Haye has insisted that he has a new-found respect for Dereck Chisora after he won their grudge match at Upton Park on Saturday night.
Haye, who was the narrow favourite for the fight, landed a left and right combination in the fifth round to stop his fellow countryman and win the WBO and WBA heavyweight titles.
"I can tell you Chisora has one of the best chins I've hit," he said. "I was hitting him with shots that would normally put people away but he kept coming.
"I didn't give him much respect before the fight but that is the way boxing is. He gave me a lot harder night than I anticipated, I thought the fight would be over in a couple of rounds.
"There was a lot of beef beforehand, we put our lives on the line in there but credit to Dereck Chisora. I believe he will go on to great things."
Haye has also insisted that Vitali Klitschko will be scared to face him after his performance in East London. The British fighter has made clear his desire to take on the Ukrainian before he finally hangs up his gloves.
"I've sent out a very scary message," he added. "I'll be surprised if Vitali Klitschko wants to fight me after that. He will no doubt try to fight some chump and then retire to be a politician."
Haye has now won 26 out of his 28 professional bouts.
Jack Prescott
