Haye-De Mori Co-Feature Becomes British Title Eliminator

By Elliot Foster

Further to reporting the news that David Haye’s comeback next weekend will be aired live and exclusive on Dave, Boxing Scene can reveal that the promotion’s chief supporting contest now carries much more weight.

Haye (26-2, 24 KOs), 35, is set to return to the ring after a three-and-a-half-year hiatus on January 16, at London’s O2 Arena against Australia’s Mark De Mori (30-1-2, 26 KOs) in a non-title contest.

And the chief support to ‘Haye Day’, which was announced as a welterweight battle between former WBC International Silver champion Shayne Singleton (21-1, 7 KOs) and John O’Donnell (30-2, 11 KOs) after the collapse of Billy Dib’s clash with Jamie Speight –– the original second in command –– has now been nailed down as a British title eliminator.

On January 3, Boxing Scene reported that British title eliminator status was being sought for the fight.

But that whisper was made concrete today when promoter Steve Wood, who we reached out to regarding the fight, confirmed the news.

He said: “Singleton and O’Donnell are on the [David] Haye [versus Mark de Mori] card on January 16 at the O2 Arena, yes, and the fight has been confirmed as an eliminator for the British welterweight title, with the winner in line for a shot at the winner of the mandatory title clash between [holder Sam] Eggington (17-2, 9 KOs) and [challenger Bradley] Skeete (22-1, 10 KOs).”

The remainder of the undercard features ex-British super middleweight ruler Tony Dodson (31-8-1, 15 KOs), as well as Wadi Camacho, Kay Prospere, Jose Lopes and Josh Kennedy.

Elliot Foster is part of Boxing Scene's UK team. Follow him on Twitter @FreelanceFoz