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David Haye wants to fight Anthony Joshua and thinks a Tony Bellew rematch won’t happen
Haye has not fought since March 4 when he was beaten by Tony Bellew, a fight during which he tore his Achilles tendon.
In the wake of such a serious injury, many expect the 36-year-old to retire but he has repeatedly shrugged off the suggestion.
Instead, Haye claims the speed of his rehabilitation has surprised doctors and he could even get back in the ring next month – but is instead targeting a December comeback bout.
And Haye then thinks he can earn the right to make “the fight the fans want to see” against Joshua, which would give him the chance to retire as a world champion.
“I believe I can work my way up the rankings and get the right fight with the right guys,” Haye said.
“In an ideal world, No 1 in my eyes is Anthony Joshua.
“Joshua has some business to take care of with [Kubrat] Pulev but then next year, in an ideal world, I’ll fight Anthony Joshua.
“I saw him at the GQ awards, he’s in great shape and I had a chat with him. He’s looking forward to the Pulev fight.
“But I think next year, if I can have two fights back and work my way up the rankings, then it will be up to Joshua to give the fans one of the biggest fights ever in the UK.
“I’ve never had beef with him, he’s not that type of guy. I’m sure he sees me as a rival but he’s the champion now, he’s the guy who has the belts.
“Hopefully I can do something this year to warrant getting back on his radar. At the moment, I’m not on his radar because I lost my last fight.”
Haye’s last outing was the third defeat of a 31-fight professional career that has seen him win world titles at cruiserweight and heavyweight.
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David Haye and Anthony Joshua met this week – but did not discuss a potential fight
But he is now looking at a maximum of four fights to build his legacy and retire on a high.
And Haye admits that a rematch with Bellew, who has yet to announce his next move, would be a possible option but he is not optimistic of getting the fight made.
“That might happen but only if we can get on the same page,” Haye added.
“We have always been on different pages.
“I won’t be holding my breath for that one.
“If it’s supposed to happen it will happen but at the moment I wouldn’t put money on it.”
Instead, Haye is currently balancing his short-term future with his long-term – a move into promotion – and he was quizzed about his own prospects at an event to launch the first Hayemaker Ringstar card.
British Olympian Joe Joyce will top the bill, making an ambitious professional debut against 12-3-1 former British title challenger Ian Lewison.
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David Haye has been using his injury lay-off to work on his promotional venture
And Haye wants his stable of fighters to form the undercard of his comeback fight in December and they could even get a slot if he does indeed book the Joshua bout, although he admits he himself will be anything but the favourite against the 19-fight unbeaten champ.
“If you want to claim you’re the best in the world in the heavyweight division you have to go through Joshua, do something nobody has ever done before,” Haye said.
“I love that challenge, I love the fact that he’s 10 years younger than me and three stone heavier than me, three inches taller.
“That for me is a challenge and a challenge that 90 per cent of the population don’t think I’ve got a chance with.
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David Haye says he would relish the underdog status against Anthony Joshua
“That’s what excites me. Because if you can do that it’s like [Evander] Holyfield fighting Mike Tyson or Muhammad Ali and George Foreman.
“If you win a huge fight when you’re the underdog it has additional value and it sticks in the memory of the masses for many years.
“I think next year, if I can win a couple of fights and he keeps his titles, me and him can be the biggest fight ever on UK soil.”
