David Haye hoping for successful ring return in Mark De Mori bout
Published:
Lee Gormley | January 5, 2016
Haye hoping for successful ring return
After a three-and-a-half year absence from the sport, former WBA heavyweight champion David Haye will make his long-awaited return to the ring on January 16th to face Australian Mark De Mori.
‘The Hayemaker’, who became the first British fighter to become unified cruiserweight world champion back in 2008, lost his WBA heavyweight strap to Wladimir Klitschko in 2011 before overcoming compatriot Dereck Chisora exactly a year later at Upton Park.
Haye (26-2, 24 KOs) stopped his fellow countryman in the fifth round after a heated build-up to their London bout but has not entered the ring since, and the hard-hitting former title-holder is a massive odds-on 1/10 favourite with Coral to secure a returning knockout victory over De Mori (30-1-2, 25 KOs).
Haye ready to go to war
The Londoner is looking to make a strong statement in front of his home crowd this month, after a sustained period out of action, and is 6/1 to end De Mori’s night early in the first round.
Britain’s bulldozing heavyweight has outlined intentions of once again competing for the division’s world titles after going to war with his next foe, with a mouth-watering meeting with rising talent Anthony Joshua being tipped this summer.
“Let’s go to war, because it’s been three and a half years since I’ve knocked someone out and I’ve really missed it so it would be nice for De Mori to oblige me,” declared Haye towards his latest opponent previously.
All-British Joshua bout on horizon?
“If I was to fight him [Joshua], I’m sure there are people who would think that AJ would beat me and I love the thought of that – getting into a fight where people are not quite sure what happens but if I tag Anthony Joshua, can he take my power?
“These are all things that are unknown. I think he probably needs one or two more fights before he would be ready for someone on my level but if he wants to do that before, let’s go for it.
“It will be interesting to see, but I think definitely in the summer or towards the end of the year, if that is a fight that Anthony Joshua would want, then it is a fight that can be made.”
De Mori out to change the script
With Haye already looking ahead to potential future bouts with the likes of Joshua and recently-crowned world champion Tyson Fury, such talk is only inspiring next underdog opponent De Mori further.
The Australian, who has only ever lost once professionally, does pose a threat to Haye and is aiming to pour cold water over his British opponent’s comeback to competitive fighting in London, with the 33-year-old 14/1 to stun the capital crowd with a shock knockout victory.
“There’s no way he would pick me if he didn’t believe he will be the winner. On one hand that’s insulting to me but it’s also great for me because if he thought I was too dangerous I’d be stuck waiting longer,” stated De Mori.
“I’ve been brought here as the guy who’s supposed to make Haye look good and it’s up to me to change that script.”
Haye, now under the guidance of Shane McGuigan as coach, will seek to make a solid start to 2016 and return to the heavyweight scene with a bang this month, as he looks to emulate past glories in what could be an exciting or disappointing year.
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