David Haye ‘coming out of retirement’ to fight nightclub owner in exhibition

Tokyo 2020: Athletes discuss appeal of sport climbing

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

David Haye will make his comeback to the boxing ring on September 11 in an exhibition against Joe Fournier, a nightclub owner turned boxer who is signed to Haye’s promotion company Hayemaker Promotions. Haye is 40 years old, and hasn’t fought professionally since his second defeat to Tony Bellew in May 2018.

Haye will not be the only fighter making a comeback on the card, which is being put on by Triller.

Legendary boxer Oscar de la Hoya is headlining the event as he returns to action against Brazilian mixed martial artist Vitor Belfort. De la Hoya is 48 years old and hasn’t fought since 2009.

Triller have put on several exhibition fights of late, famously staging a rematch of Mike Tyson vs Roy Jones Jr. in late November 2020.

The news was announced by ESPN boxing correspondent Mike Coppinger on Twitter. The post read: “Rounding out that Sept. 11 PPV:

“Former heavyweight champion David Haye will fight Joe Fournier in an eight-round heavyweight bout.

JUST IN:McGregor gives update after leg break as White opens up on UFC return

“Andy Vences will fight Jono Carroll in a 130-pound bout originally scheduled for the undercard of Teofimo Lopez-George Kambosos.”

Haye and his opponent Fournier are known to be friends, with the latter having fought on the undercard of Haye’s fight against Arnold Gjergjaj in May 2016.

Fournier invested his money in nightclubs around London and in Europe but turned pro as a boxer in 2015. Most of his fights have taken place in the Dominican Republic and he has an unbeaten 9-0 record.

That said, one of his fights has been ruled a no-contest after the 38-year-old tested positive for banned substance sibutramine after knocking out Mustapha Stini in Belgium in June 2016.

DON’T MISS:
Galal Yafai told ‘I knew you could change your life’ after Tokyo gold
‘They wouldn’t mess with you’ William spurs on GB Olympic boxing hope 
Naga Munchetty shuts down BBC co-star over gruesome comment

Fournier’s most recent fight came on the undercard for the Jake Paul vs Ben Askren contest in April this year.

On that occasion, he defeated Colombian reggaeton star Reykon.

Haye will no doubt represent the biggest test of Fournier’s career, especially given that all of his previous fights have taken place in the light-heavyweight division.

As a result, this time around he will have to add a lot of extra weight and jump up as the contest is a heavyweight fight.

Added to that challenge for Fournier is of course the fact that Haye is a completely different calibre of fighter compared to anyone else he has competed against.

In his nine legitimate wins so far, Fournier’s opponents have a combined record of 29 wins and 118 defeats.

In stark comparison, Haye’s record reads 28-4.

Haye is the latest boxer to make a very late comeback to the sport. Riddick Bowe, who is 53 years old, is set to make an exhibition return in October.

Source: Read Full Article