David Adeleye is relishing following in the footsteps of David Haye as a heavyweight working under the respected Adam Booth.
On Saturday at Wembley Arena, on the undercard of Brad Pauls-Denzel Bentley, he fights under Booth for the first time and also fights for the first time since his only defeat, by Fabio Wardley in October 2023.
He will challenge the English heavyweight champion Solomon Dacres, and having worked with his new trainer since before an injury forced the postponement of a fight between them scheduled for July he has promised “a new David Adeleye”.
“There’s nothing I was actually lacking – I just needed to improve on certain things,” the 28 year old told BoxingScene. “Discipline was one of them – I’ve got a lot of discipline now. I’ve got tunnel vision, and I’m focused.
“No messing around [in the gym]. We’ve got a job to do and we’ve gotta go out there and fulfil that job.
“My full potential – you know what a man can give, so I’m giving it. That’s basically it – no days out.
“Heavyweights, sometimes, like to be naturally lazy, so sometimes it’s what you make of it. If you’ve got the attributes to do more, then do more.
“[Haye is] one of the best heavyweight fighters we’ve ever had in this country. A two-weight, world champion – the proof is in the pudding. One hundred per cent [I was a fan], and he was one of the people I sparred when I was coming up as an amateur. I knew what David Haye was like, and what sort of operator he was, up close and personal.
“Adam – he’s got a resume. If you know boxing you know Adam Booth – particularly if you knew British boxing. Look how highly everyone’s talking about him since I’ve been there – that just says it all.
“He’s an experienced operator. It’s something new, and I think people are gonna see a new David Adeleye.”
The undefeated Dacres, 31, won a rematch with Michael Webster in July when injury forced Adeleye out.
“I remember being an amateur and looking at heavyweights – I never thought I’d be sparring them,” Adeleye continued. “I never thought they’d be talking my name. Sometimes things work in a funny way. I’m living the dream – I can’t complain.
“There’s things that I’ve seen – the way he talks and the way he gets his messages across sometimes. It’s like I’ve experienced it – I’ve seen it [from afar].
“I’m finding out a lot about myself, training; boxing. I learned a lot. I ain’t got no limits. I’m unlimited.
“It’s a good fight to shake off the cobwebs.”
