By Elliot Foster
David Haye will return to the ring in the New Year as he looks towards another push at the world heavyweight titles, but there is still some confusion surrounding the sanctioning of the event.
Boxing Scene was told by multiple sources on Tuesday that Haye’s comeback against Australia’s Mark De Mori on January 16 at London’s O2 Arena would be licensed by the German Boxing Association, but after contact with that particular organization, that appears not to be the case.
A representative of the GBA told Boxing Scene: “I can categorically say that the GBA will not sanction this show and we wish to distance ourselves from this whole event.
“No sanctioning application, on my understanding, has been received regarding [David Haye vs. Mark De Mori] and I can say that the GBA will not be [licensing] this show.”
The removal of the GBA from the equation leads the British Boxing Board of Control back into the mainstream consciousness in terms of the sanctioning body, but they told Boxing Scene on Tuesday that they have yet to receive any contact from Haye or his representatives.
We reached out to the Board’s general secretary, Robert Smith, regarding this matter, but he was unavailable for comment at this time.
Elliot Foster is part of Boxing Scene's UK team. Follow him on Twitter @FreelanceFoz