Bermondsey heavyweight David Haye will make a return to the ring on January 16 after more than three years of inactivity inside the ropes.
The two-weight world champion announced on Tuesday he will take on Aussie Mark De Mori in the New Year, a bout that will take place at The O2 in Greenwich.
The 35-year-old’s last action in the ring was in July 2012 when he defeated Dereck Chisora. Injury has plagued him since that night.
He has twice had to pull out of fights with Tyson Fury, with the latter being caused by a career threatening shoulder injury that required surgery. Fury boxes Wladimir Klitschko this Saturday for the world heavyweight title.
But Haye insists he is back to full fitness and keen to get his heavyweight crown back.
He said: “I’m so happy to be able to step back through the ropes and back into the ring, where I do my best work.
“It’s been a long three and a half years out, with many ups and downs, but The Hayemaker is finally back, and ready to do what I do best.
“I’ve a new team, new look and new inspiration to achieve my goals. I’ve always set the bar high in my career, and I will continue to do so.
“Please sit back and get ready for another fun-fuelled heavyweight campaign to the very top.”
Haye is no longer looked after by Adam Booth but is under the tutelage of Shane McGuigan, who trains Irish world champion Carl Frampton.
De Mori has a record of 31 wins (26 KOs) with only 1 defeat. He is also undefeated since September 2004, and most recently claimed a first round knockout in October against Marcel Zeller.
Tickets for the fight go on pre-sale to O2 Priority customers at 9am on Wednesday, November 25, and will be on general sale through axs.com from 9am on Friday November 27.