David Haye: Highlight of my career was winning the WBA title against Valuev

David Haye is a man on a mission. Cool, calm and looking in tip-top shape - one of Britain’s greatest living boxers is already gearing up for a return to the ring. I met with Haye in London and he detailed his short and sweet plans: “Get into the ring and win the heavyweight championship back. It’s as simple as that. “I had a big shoulder injury which I’ve been fortunate and lucky to have healed from and I hope to be back fighting in the ring by the end of the year and then win back the heavyweight championship of the world. It’s a pretty easy plan if you think about it. Influences I quizzed Haye about his greatest boxing influences: “My all-time favourite boxer unsurprisingly is Muhammad Ali. Cassius Clay, he for me, the young Olympic champion, stood up for something he strongly believed in. As an American citizen and a devout Muslim he was a bridge between people. “His refusal to fight in Vietnam, led to him losing his name, his livelihood, losing all respect and he became the villain. He didn’t go to the war and muck in and this shows to me that he was a man of morals and principles. I think it was a big stand to make. “It’s only now that people realise that Vietnam was a terrible war but at the time he did the right thing. You know he was alienated; he was terrible as far as the US American President was concerned. Looking back he took a stand, he did the right thing. “Muhammad Ali believed in something and a lot of people wouldn’t have done that. They would have gone to the war and killed a lot of innocent people because they had simply been told to do so by someone in authority. And he showed what type of a human being he was, he said ‘no! Take my titles, take my belts but I won’t fight.’ For me Muhammad Ali was not only great in the ring but great out of it too.” Highlights Haye’s greatest career highlight is an easy one: “It was when I challenged and won the WBA Heavyweight Championship of the world against the 7’2” Nikolay Valuev, the Russian Giant, the Beast from the East. And going out there onto his home turf and bringing the title back to Britain was truly massive. “It was a David and Goliath match and I out worked, out-manoeuvred and almost knocked out the big man. Beating Nikolay Valuev was definitely the fulfilment of a lifelong ambition. It was something I promised my parents - that I would be heavyweight champion and it wasn’t just against any champion. I’m not a big guy and I’m proud I came up against and defeated the biggest and heaviest one in the history of boxing. “I’m not a big heavyweight. So I was giving away over a foot in height and 50 kilos. I gave a lot away. I believe that working hard and living clean helped me achieve this.” Valuev was a two time WBA World Heavyweight Champion and had defeated John Ruiz and the legendary Evander Holyfield. The defeat by David Haye led to the retirement of the biggest boxer to ever step into a boxing ring. Greats Haye reels off an array of boxing greats who have shaped his positive outlook in life: “Prince Naseem Hamed was a great inspiration ever since I was a teenager, through putting on great shows, great entrances, great performances and great knock-outs. He was a good role model for me as a young man and an upcoming boxer. Then there’s Nigel Benn a little before Hamed, who was probably my first hero. "Lennox Lewis is obviously up there along with Frank Bruno. Growing up I witnessed his earlier failed attempts against the likes of Mike Tyson and Tim Witherspoon and how he came back. He’s a great guy and he has had to fight a lot of negativity throughout his life. Frank Is not a bad person but has been unlucky with publicity. “I interviewed him when I was ten years old, I was really nervous and I remember him being a very nice man. It’s a shame he has had bad press in the past because of issues but Frank Bruno is a real joy to be with. He came from nothing, became a champion, a millionaire and fulfilled his dream. “I personally don’t want to read the negative stuff that happens within boxers lives, mainly because of entrapment. An athlete hypothetically wins the World Championship ten times, but straight after he retires a sting gets him a front page slot, something which eluded him throughout his whole career. Icons “I want to hear about how they are good role models and about their philanthropy and good works. It’s a bit like Ricky Hatton and Chris Eubank, they’re trying to live their lives. They have achieved their dreams and I enjoy watching their fights, which I have recorded. It’s a shame that society focuses on their negatives once they retire instead of the good that they still contribute and the good that they give to our community in general." David Haye is passionate about his community, young, upcoming boxers, as well as aspiring and talented people: “I came from humble beginnings. Me, my brother, my sister, we lived on the 18th floor of a two bedroom council flat. But that wasn’t an issue. It wasn’t a problem. I loved living there. It was great. I had fantastic parents who looked after me. I was very fortunate that they were very supportive and throughout my career I didn’t see my earlier days in an inner city area as a negative thing. “I lived there in that block until I was 8-years-old. The main thing is I’m not a better person now living in a nice house. My dreams were not affected in that environment. Don’t worry about your surroundings. You might live in ten bedrooms but your aspirations, your heart, your talent, your hard work is what will help you achieve your dreams, so if there’s anybody out there reading this, you need to just go for it. “Boxing is not an expensive sport. You go to your local amateur boxing club and you pay your pound. Sometimes it’s even free. We all come from the same place. It’s no use saying you can’t do it – I was the only one in my school who was interested in boxing. I wanted to do it. Everyone else played football and smoked and drank alcohol at weekends. That’s not going to help you get to your final destination.