David Haye is a former world cruiserweight and heavyweight champion; 40-year-old last fought in 2018 when he was beaten by Tony Bellew; Haye to make return against Joe Fournier at the Staples Center, Los Angeles on September 11. Haye has not fought since losing his second consecutive fight to Tony Bellew in 2018 and had most recently been managing his former rival Derek Chisora.Haye has not fought since losing his second consecutive fight to Tony Bellew in 2018 and had most recently been managing his former rival Derek Chisora.
However, the former world heavyweight champion has been tempted back into the ring by Fournier, with the pair agreeing to an eight-round heavyweight fight at the Staples Center, Los Angeles on September 11.
“I was the heavyweight champion of the world just 10 years ago. I’m only 40. Joe is delusional. Champions are born not bought.”
The highlight of Haye’s career came in 2009 when he won the WBA world heavyweight title by beating Nikolai Valuev.
Two years earlier, the Briton became world champion at cruiserweight with a win against Jean-Marc Mormeck.
While Haye retired with a 28-4 record, Fournier – known as ‘The Billionaire’ after making his fortune in the fitness and nightclub industries – has nine wins to his name after making his professional debut in 2015.
The 38-year-old was encouraged to take up boxing by Haye and was even signed to his opponent’s Hayemaker label.
Fournier had five years out of the ring before making his return on the Jake Paul-Ben Askren undercard in April, when he beat musician Reykon.
But despite their vastly different boxing pedigrees, Fournier said: “I will shock the world and knockout David Haye.
