A video has emerged online of a brutal sparring session that took place between David Haye and Deontay Wilder in 2013, during the peak of the former’s boxing career.The video shows Haye’s masterful footwork and his physical power as he lands multiple crushing blows, dazing his opponents and causing them to stagger.The video has resurfaced notably as Haye looks to secure a marquee fight with former two-time heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, who Haye was notably due to fight in 2013, around a similar time when this video was captured.Due to a shoulder injury, Haye, unfortunately, had to drop out of that fight with Fury and was subsequently forced to retire five years later, despite going on to fight Tony Bellew, Mark de Mori and Swiss fighter Arnold Gjergjaj.But after coming out of a three-year retirement, Haye battled his way past his former sparring partner Joe Fournier last Saturday to win via unanimous decision and still has his eyes on a fight with Fury.After the fight, he said: "I know his (Fury’s) Kryptonite; I know what he can't handle."
It seems a line of boxers are in the queue waiting to fight the Gypsy King, the first of whom being Wilder, on October 9, 2021, after an arbitration judge ruled earlier this year that Fury must fulfil his contractual obligations to finish the three-fight series before he can fight the current heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua.
Despite his boxing prowess, Haye may have to wait his turn to secure a bout with Fury, but many critics, including close friend Ricky Hatton, have urged the 40-year-old to avoid fighting Fury for his own safety.
In a column with the Metro.co.uk, former WBA champion Hatton said: “​​I wouldn’t have thought Tyson Fury would be taking David Haye’s call out very seriously.
“David Haye is a friend of mine, I think the world of him, but it was clear to see in his last fights with Tony Bellew that his best days are clearly behind him. Tyson Fury, in his last fight, was at the top of the game! We can’t allow that to happen.
“David Haye and Tyson Fury have their history, and back when it was meant to happen, it had some substance, it made sense.
“It doesn’t now. And I say that with love for David. Let’s concentrate on Tyson Fury and his proper fights while also saving our heroes from nights like last Saturday in Florida.”
From 32 bouts, Haye’s professional record now stands at 28-4 in wins to losses, having amassed 26 knockouts during his career.