Exclusive – Hearn rubbishes Haye cut rumours

Eddie Hearn has rubbished rumours David Haye cut himself deliberately to avoid facing Tyson Fury.

The Bermondsey boxer pulled out of Saturday’s planned contest in Manchester after suffering a nasty wound in sparring, but that has led to speculation he wasn’t keen on stepping into the ring with his British heavyweight rival.

Those claims have been dismissed as ‘laughable’ by leading promoter Hearn, who now believes the fight on the re-arranged date of February 8 next year will be even bigger than the original would have been.

On the claims Haye caused the damage to his own eyebrow, Hearn told Drivetime: “It’s madness. You’re talking about a guy who would have earned between £3-4million for a fight against someone he believes he beats quite comfortably.

“So unless someone comes along and offers him a load of money not to fight, why would he pull out and why would he reschedule?

“Cuts happen in sparring. To think Haye has self-inflicted the wound is laughable. It’s a tough sport, a combat sport, and injuries do happen.

“It’s a big fight and it will be even bigger now. Everyone wanted this fight, and now they’ll get their chance to make it happen.”