Hammond replied: “I’d rather it be your hands than your head.”
Bellew’s response was sobering, as he recognized that the signs may begin to show in a few years: “That’s going to come later, innit? I’ve been punched that many times to the head, it’s coming.”
“Something’s coming, whether it’s the shakes or whether I forget about [my wife]. […] I am forgetful.”
Tony Bellew reveals astronomical number of punches he’s taken
In the same program, when discussing his health, Bellew revealed the gargantuan number of punches he estimates he’s taken to the head throughout his career.
“On average, a world-class fighter, they estimate, takes 50,000 punches to the head a year. I’ve took 1.1 million punches to the head.”
This stat will include fights as well as sparring sessions, and may be exaggerated, but remains a reminder of how much fighters go through to achieve greatness.