David Haye | If you give it the big’un and you flop, you’re gonna get stick 💥

Up Front

In this episode, we are joined by two-weight world champion David Haye. He’s one of only three men - with Evander Holyfield and Oleksandr Usyk - to have won world titles at both cruiserweight and heavyweight.

After becoming the first Brit to reach a world amateur final, David turned pro and quickly became known for punching power, as illustrated when he stopped both Jean-Marc Mormeck and Enzo Maccarinelli to become the unified cruiserweight world champion. He then moved up to heavyweight where, despite conceding 7 stone in weight, he beat the giant 7ft-plus Russian Nikolay Valuev to become the WBA champion. Eventually, he faced Wladimir Klitschko in a unification bout but he was soundly beaten and his post-fight excuse of a broken little toe severely damaged his standing among fight fans. Thereafter, came controversy and frustration: a much-publicised brawl with Derek Chisora in Germany led to a contest between the pair where David was victorious. But, a highly anticipated fight with Tyson Fury fell through as David suffered injuries that would keep him out of the ring for a long time. He eventually returned and fought Tony Bellew twice before retiring following his defeat in their rematch.

Despite his success, David has been a sometimes divisive figure with the boxing public. Here, he tackles everything: becoming a two-weight world champion, his defeats to Klitschko and Bellew, why he made some of his controversial statements, and he gives his thoughts on Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk. He also explains why Saudi Arabia’s takeover is good for boxing and tantalisingly, he reveals whether his career may not yet be over.

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Warning: this episode contains language that some people may find offensive.