Joe Fournier v David Haye: comeback match of former heavyweight champion set for Los Angeles - how to watch

Haye has said the fight came about after ‘a boozy night in Mykonos’ with ‘two alpha-males peacocking with a crowd of girls’
World champion David Haye will temporarily end his retirement next month to take on friend and entrepreneur Joe Fournier (Photo: Getty Images)World champion David Haye will temporarily end his retirement next month to take on friend and entrepreneur Joe Fournier (Photo: Getty Images)
World champion David Haye will temporarily end his retirement next month to take on friend and entrepreneur Joe Fournier (Photo: Getty Images)

Though technically retired from professional boxing since 2018, David Haye will step back between the ropes of the squared circle once again this year.

The former cruiserweight and heavyweight world champion will temporarily end his retirement next month to take on friend and entrepreneur Joe Fournier at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

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Haye retired aged 37, after losing his rematch against Tony Bellew.

But when exactly is the fight, and who is likely to win?

Here is everything you need to know about it.

How was the fight made?

It sounds like the fight between the pair was made in good spirits, with Haye explaining the idea was first proposed over a group dinner.

“This whole fight between us, came into existence when at dinner with a group in Mykonos we were asked who would win in a fight between us,” Haye said.

“I laughed, but out of respect for Joe’s ego suggested it would be close, maybe a draw – whilst winking to Joe,” he added.

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“Joe’s straight-faced response was very different, he was deadly serious stating he would win in a fight today.

“And that’s exactly where it started. A boozy night in Mykonos, two alpha-males peacocking with a crowd of girls.”

Haye said that although he remains happily retired from boxing, and has no intentions to make a traditional comeback to “challenge the monsters of the division”, he is ready to take on and “prove a point” to his “overconfident billionaire buddy.”

“This is not a comeback; this is about teaching Joe Fournier there are levels to the boxing game. One must stay in their lane or risk getting flattened.”

Who is likely to win?

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Haye retired in 2018 with a record of 28 wins and four defeats.

Fournier, 38, has won nine times since making his debut in 2015, but is more widely known for amassing a fortune in the fitness and nightclub industries. He will take on Haye in an eight-round bout at heavyweight.

Haye is feeling confident in his abilities, and said that although the upcoming fight is “an unexpected challenge”, he has remained in the gym since retirement, and is ready to step up at just four weeks’ notice.

“I am always mindful of what I put in my body... I am currently 10lbs lighter than my first fight against Tony Bellew some four years ago,” he said.

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Fournier said: “I’m here to make a statement. Like the business world, timing is everything in the fight game. I have immense respect for David’s past achievements, but his time has passed.

“I’m younger, fitter and faster. He may have been world heavyweight champion, but that moment has gone, I am still learning the sport, coming into my prime. His demise will meet my rise and come 11 September the boxing world is in for a huge shock.”

According to Paddy Power, at the time of writing Haye is favoured to win with odds of 1/16.

When is the fight?

The fight is set to take place on 11 September, on the undercard of Oscar de la Hoya’s own comeback against former UFC light-heavyweight champion Vitor Belfort.

How can I watch the fight?

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Details on how the fight can be viewed in the UK have not yet been confirmed.

We will update this article as and when more information becomes available.

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