Exclusive – David Haye reveals boxing comeback and Klitschko world title fight plans
British heavyweight David Haye has revealed to talkSPORT his plans for a long-awaited return to boxing this year, with world title holder Wladimir Klitschko his number one target.
Former world heavyweight champion Haye hasn’t been in the ring since beating Dereck Chisora in July 2012, while he was twice forced to scrap a showdown with Tyson Fury in 2013 due to injury.
He previously told talkSPORT he feared his boxing career may be over due to the serious shoulder problem which saw him pull out of the rescheduled Fury fight.
But, speaking to Mark Saggers in Wednesday's Kick Off boxing special, the Hayemaker said he is ready for a comeback.
“I’ve missed the sport,” he told talkSPORT. “I’ve had a few injuries over the last couple of years but I believe I’m out of that now, so I’ll definitely be fighting this year, for sure.
“It’s the final part of my career, I’m 34-year-old now but I’m a young 34.
“I’ve never taken any big punishment, I’ve never been battered in the ring and I’ve never been knocked clean out in my life.
“The only fight I got stopped in was when my corner threw the towel in, but they didn’t realise I was only out of breath!
“I believe vie got a lot left to give. I’m got a bit of unfinished business and I’m looking forward to finishing it in good style.
When asked if that ‘unfinished business’ meant a meeting with fellow British heavyweight Tyson Fury, Haye added: “No, no.
“He’s so much bad luck, every time I’ve been scheduled to fight him I’ve got an injury, so I’m not going to tempt fate a third time.”
Instead Haye revealed he is aiming to work his way up the ladder to WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder, the 6’ 6” undefeated American, before uniting all the belts with a win over world champion Wladimir Klitschko, who took Haye’s WBA title back in 2011.
He added: “In an ideal world I think the most exciting route would be to work my way up the WBC rankings, having two or three fights against ranked fighters and then get a shot at Deontay Wilder for his WBC title.
“It’s a matter of winning that to go for the unification fight against Wladimir and try and bring all the belts together.
“I think that would be a realistic plan, one I believe I can fulfil and achieve.
“It’s exciting times for me, I’m looking forward to it.”
David Haye is supporting 'Backing Up Boxing' a campaign from charity Join In to put more volunteers into grassroots boxing. For more information visit