David Haye won his first fight in more than five years at the weekend – and then spectacularly called out “big fat dosser” Tyson Fury.
In a bout classified as an exhibition rather than a professional fight, Haye, 40, defeated his friend, businessman-turned-professional boxer Joe Fournier, 38, on a unanimous decision (79–72, 80–71, 79–72) over eight rounds at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Haye’s last two professional fights were defeats to Tony Bellew in March 2017 and May 2018.
Fury, 33, the WBC world champion, has a record of 30 wins and one draw in 31 bouts.
“There’s one fighter I’d come back to professional boxing for. That’s Tyson Fury,” Haye said in the post-fight press conference.
“That big fat dosser, I know his kryptonite, I know what he can’t handle.
“He wants a fight? ‘The Hayemaker’ will come for you.
“When Tyson Fury really wants a challenge, the fans want to see it, the fans want to see Tyson Fury facing someone who can knock him out.
“I know that he knows it, his dad knows it, his uncle knows it.
“It’s been in my mind for a long time, since 2013. The [scheduled ] fight [against Fury] didn’t happen, I got an injury.
“I’ve always wanted that fight. I’ve seen him get better and better. His reputation has got bigger and bigger.
“If I’m going to come back into boxing with a real fight, against someone special? That is the guy I know I can beat.
“I know his style. I know what he does well.
“My attributes don’t work well for his style. Him and his team know that.
“They probably think I’m old so they probably will take the fight.
“I’m looking for the biggest fight out there – and you get no bigger than 6ft9in Tyson Fury.
“I’d only come back for Fury. I don’t want to show him what I’ve got left. I was able to win this fight without showing ‘the Hayemaker’.”
“I could see shots coming but I hadn’t done much sparring for this.
“I’ve hurt my body over the years. I needed rest. I needed my body to rejuvenate. I’m ready to do big things.”