By Elliot Foster
David Haye will return to the ring on January 16 when he faces Mark De Mori.
The Londoner, 35, has been out of the ring for over three-and-a-half years, since his stoppage victory over Dereck Chisora in July, 2012.
Haye is set for a showcase at London’s O2 Arena, but it won’t be under the sanctioning of the British Boxing Board of Control.
The fight, which was confirmed at a press conference at the venue earlier today, will be licensed by the German Boxing Association.
And Robert Smith, the British Boxing Board of Control general secretary, has moved to distance himself and the Board from the contest.
“As we sit here today, I –– or anybody else at the BBBofC –– haven't had any contact with Mr Haye regarding this event,” he said.
“I’m not saying that we won’t have any correspondence from him tomorrow about his return, but I don’t know who is sanctioning the fight. All I do know is that the Board has had no contact with David.
“Mr Haye is a grown man and he can return if he wants to, whether that be under the Board or another organisation."
Elliot Foster is part of Boxing Scene's UK team. Follow him on Twitter:
@FreelanceFoz
