In a brutal combat sport such as boxing, it is always fascinating to see how the combatants get along away from the bright lights and hype which so often goes hand-in-hand with the sport.

For all the "trash talk" in the lead-up to big fights, you get a sense that the boxers have a respect for their rivals as they put their bodies through an awful lot of punishment.

Deontay Wilder and David Haye are two fighters who have a lot of respect for each other and both know what it takes to reach the top of their sport.

The heavyweights have spent many sessions sparring in the gym during their careers and were delighted to catch-up again in Belfast for the Tyson Fury and Francesco Pianeta fight.

Haye recently called it a day after falling to defeat at the hands of Tony Bellew for the second time in 14 months, and he confirmed that it was a permanent retirement to the American backstage.

Wilder was in attendance as he assessed the overall credentials of Fury, who defeated his Italian opponent courtesy of a points decision.

Wilder is now scheduled to face his fellow unbeaten opponent for the WBC heavyweight at the end of the year.

The pair could be seen discussing some possible fights in an audio recording for the American, with Haye saying that taking on Fury will be the perfect preparation for a possible bout with Anthony Joshua.

You can watch the video below.

The fight with Joshua is one which has all fans hopeful of happening one day, but to this stage, the unified world champion has ignored all the calls from the American.

Fury joked about offering some sparring with Wilder, but then said, "no I'm done."

While the date of the Wilder and Fury fight is yet to be confirmed, the build-up will certainly be interesting to say the least.

There will be many words spoken between the pair, but you suspect there will be a grudging level of respect as well.