The Londoner returns from a 40-month absence in the New Year, having initially been told by doctors that he should never fight again on the back of shoulder surgery in late 2013. At the time, Haye was training for a massive UK clash with Tyson Fury but was forced to call off the fight and took an extended period out of the sport.
Now rejuvenated under new coach Shane McGuigan, who also trains Carl Frampton, Haye says he feels the same way he did when in his peak of 2009 when ‘The Hayemaker’ shocked the world to overcome a massive weight disadvantage against 7ft giant Nikolai Valuev.
“From a physical standpoint, I’m firing on all cylinders,” stated Haye.
“Obviously, I’ve teamed up with Shane McGuigan who’s brought a new lease of life into me. I’ve done a lot of hard training over many, many years and it got to be point where I needed a change.
“There was the tell-tale signs and injuries I would get, so something needed to be adjusted. Since teaming up with Shane things have gone from strength to strength.
“Physically, timing-wise, pushing weights, stamina, punch variety and volume – everything has gone through the roof and I feel like a young fighter again.
“I’m 35 years old now, so I’m no spring chicken, but I feel like I did when I was 26 or 27. I really feel like I wound the clock back and I’m looking forward to getting in the ring and hear the fans get excited again.”
Haye’s comeback opponent at the O2 Arena will be the unheralded, but highly-ranked Mark De Mori – as the one-time undisputed cruiserweight world champion aims to put himself back in the mix for a 2016 shot at one of the current belt holders at 200 pound plus.
