Haye-Gjergjaj Radio Broadcast Rights Picked Up By talkSPORT

By Elliot Foster

David Haye will have his next fight called blow-by-blow on national radio.

talkSPORT has been handed the rights to provide exclusive live national radio commentary of the second fight of the 35-year-old’s comeback against unbeaten Swiss-based Kosovan-Albanian heavyweight Arnold Gjergjaj, (29-0, 21KOs) which takes place May 21 at O2 Arena in London, England.

The radio call comes in addition to already secured TV rights, with Haye appearing for a second straight time on UKTV Dave.

Haye (27-2, 25KOs) - who returned with a 131-second stoppage of Australia’s Mark de Mori at the same venue back in January - will be joining the talkSPORT team on-air every week in the countdown to the event as they provide a tantalising build-up to the second edition of ‘Haye Day’.

He will also visit the talkSPORT studio to join a Fight Club heavyweight special, with host –– and Daily Telegraph boxing correspondent –– Gareth A Davies, which will broadcast from 8-10pm on Thursday, May 19.

After the agreement was announced live on-air as part of the Drivetime show on Thursday (May 5), Haye said: “I’m delighted that the world’s biggest sports radio station will be broadcasting my next ‘Haye Day’ event to their millions of listeners.

“In January, 3.2 million watched the fight and 16,000 packed in to The O2, this ‘Haye Day’ will be bigger and better and, by partnering with talkSPORT, even more fans will have the chance to follow what promises to be another amazing night of entertainment.”

The national radio controller for talkSPORT’s owners Wireless Group, Liam Fisher, was in agreement with Haye regarding the excitement of the partnership.

He said: “David Haye is one the biggest names that boxing has seen in a generation and, as he continues his comeback, it's fantastic that talkSPORT can be an exclusive part of it.”

“I’ve always been impressed with talkSPORT’s commitment to boxing,” Haye continued, “whether it be their live fight broadcasts or popular shows such as Fight Club.

“Their coverage and portfolio of live sports events is unrivalled and I’m thrilled they will be bringing the action, entertainment and excitement of Haye Day from ringside to listeners in the UK and across the world.”

talkSPORT will also air exclusive live national radio commentary of the FA Cup Final between Manchester United and Crystal Palace from Wembley Stadium on May 21 before crossing to the O2 Arena to call the ‘Haye Day’ action.

Elliot Foster is the primary reporter for the BoxingScene.com UK news team. Twitter: @FreelanceFoz