David Haye retired in 2018 after claiming world titles in two weight divisions.
After claiming the WBA, WBC and WBO cruiserweight titles, the Hayemaker stepped up to challenge for the WBA heavyweight title in 2009 where he defeated the giant Nikolai Valuev via a majority decision.
He then made two easy defences of his championship against John Ruiz and Audley Harrison before the biggest challenge of his career.
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In 2011 Haye faced the dominant king of the division, Wladimir Klitschko but dropped a unanimous decision in a dull fight.
In a more lively encounter he then despatched of British rival, Derek Chisora in brutal fashion before seemingly ending his career in 2012.
🗓 ON THIS DAY in 2012…
One of the biggest domestic rivalries in recent times was settled as @davidhaye stopped Derek Chisora inside of five rounds 🥊
Where does Haye rank on your all-time British heavyweight rankings? 🤔#DavidHaye | #DerekChisora pic.twitter.com/9neEeiwFWP
— IFL TV (@IFLTV) July 14, 2023
But in 2016 Haye returned against the unheralded Mark De Mori and Arnold Gjergjaj scoring easy wins.
Following that a strange rivalry with Tony Bellew formed where the Liverpudlian would shock many by defeating Haye twice and when speaking to The Ring, Haye labelled Bellew as the smartest fighter he came up against in his professional career.
Tony Bellew KO’s David Haye in the 5th Round #BellewHaye2 #TheRematch 🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/t4GCJpCfXy
— BOXING CORNER 2️⃣4️⃣/7️⃣ (@boxingcorner247) May 5, 2018
He said: “Tony Bellew had a great boxing IQ and formulated a very good game plan with Dave Coldwell.”
“They knew what their strengths and weaknesses were, they knew what mine were, and they had a great game plan and were able to execute on two occasions.”
