Former WBA heavyweight champ David Haye, who returned to the ring following a near four year absence in January, will host a press conference at London’s O2 next Wednesday to officially announce his second comeback opponent, so reports South London Press. Haye, also a former undisputed cruiserweight champion, destroyed Australia’s Mark de Mori inside a round in January, before a sold-out O2 arena, and with a TV audience of over three million tuning in to free-to-air channel DAVE.
Haye has said he hopes to have his second return fight go out on free TV also, so as to attract as many fans as he can. But who will Haye, beaten just twice as a pro (by Carl Thompson and by Wladimir Klitschko) face on May 21st? Speculation has grown even before tickets went on sale for the “Haye Day” event.
One man who remains a possibility is former heavyweight champ Shannon Briggs, who has more than made his presence felt whilst being in London; even paying a visit to Haye’s gym in an attempt to call him out. Bermane Stiverne is another possibility, with Haye bigging up the former titlist’s credentials in a recent video interview with Boxing News. Or Haye could go European and fight a Michael Wallisch (as one rumour had it a short while ago) or a Mariusz Wach.
Haye has repeatedly said he is interested in the big fights and the long-term goal of his comeback is to become a two-time heavyweight champion; Haye even stating he wants to become undisputed heavyweight champion this time around. Whoever he fights in May, though, fans will be hoping they get to see far more action than they did in the De Mori fight, which lasted a mere 140 seconds. Malik Scott has repeatedly called out Haye, as has former light-heavyweight king Antonio Tarver.
Haye says he has a number of guys he is looking at – and he must have made his mind up by now – and his fans will be able to end their speculation next Wednesday. Despite his critics, Haye remains a huge draw in the UK and his next fight is already on its way to being a sell-out, even before Haye’s opponent has been announced.