Haye Hopes To Recover, Return, Leave as Champion

By Luis Sandoval

David Haye has been in attendance at a few boxing events but it appears it will be some time until we will be able to see him inside a ring. Haye suffered a shoulder injury last year which forced him to pull out of a scheduled fight with Tyson Fury and has left him sidelined and unsure if his boxing career will continue.

The outspoken former WBA Heavyweight champion was last seen in 2012 when he disposed of Dereck Chisora in 5 rounds and now almost 2 years later, Haye’s return to the ring is bleak and uncertain.

BoxingScene caught up with Haye as he spoke about being out of the ring and a possible return.

“I’ve been competing since I was a little kid. I see these guys up here, Stiverne and Arreola fighting for the vacant WBC title and I don’t believe they out do me in any department whatsoever. I think if I was in good shape, if my arm was good and I could throw the haymaker, I don’t think either of those guys could give me any problems” said Haye.

“But I’m on the other side, I got an injury so it’s all talk. There’s a lot of ex boxers who used to be champions [who] sit at home watching fights [saying] I could do that, I could still whip him. But one day hopefully my arm gets better and I can get back up there and do what I do best”.

Many questioned the severity of the injury and how legitimate it was when it was initially reported. The injury is serious enough to where if it doesn’t heal properly or Haye isn’t able to throw punches without any pain, his days as a fighter are over.

BoxingScene asked Haye to give details about the injury and the surgery that he underwent.

“I had my bicep tightened and ruptured and detached from the bone. I had 6 pins holding my shoulder together, reconstructive surgery, took 6 hours to do. So it was a pretty big operation and for a boxer who throws that right hand as hard as I do, it’s not an ideal injury. Let’s just put it that way. But if it’s humanly possible to comeback I will. I’m doing a lot of rehab. I’m still training every day, I’m in decent shape. I’m not in fighting shape, I’m in decent shape and hopefully if I recover I’ll be asked to get back in there and do my thing” informed Haye.

Most fighters find it extremely difficult to be on the outside looking in and especially if they are nursing and rehabilitating an injury. For Haye however, he’s dealing with it just fine and just hopes he can get a chance to walk away from boxing as a champion.

“I’m fine, I’m at peace. I’m a former Heavyweight champion and former unified Cruiserweight champion. I’ve achieved a lot in boxing. Now it’d be nice for me to go out as champion but at the moment, it looks a ways away but you never know. Keep eyes and ear peeled, you never know what’s happening” said Haye with a smile.

Haye is still in rehabilitation for his shoulder and it will be some time until he is able to determine when and if he can make a return to the ring.

You can follow Luis Sandoval on Twitter & Instagram @Truewest007.