David Haye returns against Mark de Mori with his career on the line
Friday 15 January 2016 14:16, UK
David Haye admits he is heading into the unknown when he makes his comeback after a lengthy absence from the ring.
The former WBA heavyweight and unified cruiserweight world champion takes on Mark de Mori on Saturday night, three-and-a-half years since his last fight.
Haye believes it is his "destiny" to regain the world heavyweight championship and knows a knockout win at The O2 will put him back in the mix with fellow British contender Anthony Joshua and world champions Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury.
But after 1,281 days out of the ring since his explosive stoppage of Dereck Chisora in July 2012, the 35-year-old admits even he could join the long list of big-name fighters who have failed in their comebacks.
"It's going to be exciting while it lasts but I've been out for that long you don't know what's going to happen," he told Sky Sports.
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I am aware of the repercussions if I get it wrong, but I am willing to put it on the line.
"Remember Muhammad Ali came back after three-and-a-half years and he lost. Boxing history is littered with tales of comeback attempts. Look at Sugar Ray Leonard in his later years, Hector Camacho, Terry Norris, things didn't go the way they wanted to go.
"Look at Roy Jones Jr; his fights didn't go the way he wanted to as he got older. I am aware of the repercussions if I get it wrong, but I am willing to put it on the line. I am smart enough not to get in the ring if I'm not 100 per cent."
Haye has teamed up with new trainer Shane McGuigan ahead of the return and has changed his pre-fight routine for the upcoming clash with De Mori.
He is not worried about the shoulder injury that forced him to call off a fight with current WBA and WBO champion Fury for the second time, and admits his training has not been the usual "manic rush", despite a longer camp than usual.
A fit-again Haye believes he could even be a different fighter under the guidance of McGuigan, especially after such a prolonged break from the sport.
"I am looking forward to showing people what I can do. It's not been easy," he said.
"I've trained as hard but I've tried to train smarter than I used to. Maybe my timing, my rhythm and timing. This is stuff you can practise on all you like in sparring and training but when it comes to fight night, you just don't know what it's going to be like.
"That's the unknown. It's always the unknown just because you never know. When I train and fight regularly I know what I can do and even when I haven't had one for a year I know, but after three years out, that's a different story. I don't know how happy I am going to be in the ring after so long out."
De Mori claims he could retire if he springs one of boxing's biggest surprises and beats the Londoner.
But Haye does not intend to let that happen and says his desire to be the best will lead him back to the top of the division.
"I've still got the same hunger I had the moment I beat Dereck Chisora three-and-a-half years ago," he said.
"I truly believe it is my destiny to regain the heavyweight championship of the world. It's just fragmented at the moment, scattered all round the world so it's going to be a fun journey to pick those titles up as I go along."
For tickets to #HayeDay visit axs.com or watch the fight exclusively live on Dave from 9pm.
