EXCLUSIVE
I sparred David Haye, he hit me so hard that he broke my headguard during brutal session
Chris Billam-Smith has recalled an incredible story from his brutal time sparring with David Haye.
Haye became an icon in British boxing, holding multiple world titles at cruiserweight before moving up to heavyweight and becoming world champion with an incredible win over Nikolai Valuev in 2009.
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During the 43-year-old's time in the blue-riband division, Billam-Smith travelled to the champion's gym to spar him, as he began his own rise in the domestic scene.
And the 33-year-old named 'Hayemaker' alongside current British heavyweight Daniel Dubois as the most heavy handed he's faced, and described the intense sparring sessions.
Billam-Smith revealed to marvelbet369.com: "It would probably be Daniel Dubois and David Haye.
"David Haye actually broke my headguard in sparring. It didn't buzz me the actual shot.
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"He hit with me a very hard shot I think it was three shots.
"I thought my headguard had come undone, but it had actually ripped up the seam from the power of the shot.
"So I went back to my coach and said, 'Can you do my headguard up?' And he said, 'No I can't'.
"He realised it had ripped all up the seam, and I had to borrow someone else's headguard for the rest of the spar.
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"Those two were both heavyweights at the time, so they hit me hardest for sure."
Haye was notorious for his ferocious punching power during his career, carrying a 92 per cent KO ratio during his time in the ring.
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He retired in 2018 after back-to-back stoppage defeats against domestic rival Tony Bellew, but left a remarkable legacy in the sport.
Meanwhile, Billam-Smith is on his own extremely positive run in the ring, and looks set to defend his WBO title against Richard Riakporhe in a huge domestic rematch this year.
The pair have agreed to fight each other with a date and venue currently in the works, and the Bournemouth native is hoping he can get redemption following his 2019 points defeat.
He continued: "I think he [Riakporhe] has a lack of experience which I can capitalise on.
"I have had a few world title fights and a 12-round war with Isaac Chamberlain, all this experience I think of overcoming things that go wrong is massive.
"I don't fear a single cruiserweight in the world, I believe can beat him and them all."
STABLE: The Boxing Game - produced by Lorton Entertainment - aired on BBC One over Easter weekend, and will also be available to watch on BBC iPlayer
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