More Boxing vs. MMA bouts on the horizon?
With Conor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather seemingly on the horizon, we may see other boxing vs. MMA bouts in the future as well. According to recent comments from David Haye, negotiations have already begun for him to face a current UFC fighter.
Haye told fans on a recent online Q&A session that the UFC has reached out to him about potentially facing one of their mixed martial artists in a boxing match.
“Obviously it is a little way off being confirmed. But it is a fight that would unify a lot of the fans from both UFC and boxing and make a mega event.” – David Haye
David Haye to Face a UFC Fighter?
Haye’s last bout was a March 4th TKO loss to Tony Bellew at the O2 Arena in London. Worse than the loss for Haye is the injury he sustained in the bout. Haye ruptured his achilles tendon, though he continued fighting for 5 rounds after that. His corner finally stopped the fight in the 11th.
The injury required surgery and could keep the 36-year old out of action for the rest of the year. That is a long layoff for someone who has already retired twice. Despite the long road to recovery he has in front of him, Haye appeared enthusiastic when speaking about possibly facing someone from the UFC.
David Haye to Face Jimi Manuwa?
The bout which David Haye is interested in is one against fellow Brit Jimi Manuwa. After defeating Corey Anderson in London 2 weeks ago, Manuwa shockingly called out Haye in his post-fight interview (albeit after first calling out the winner of DC vs. Rumble II).
David Haye responded to the call-out as follows:
“The answer is a resounding yes!” Haye told fans. “I was very impressed with his quick knock out the other night at the O2 Arena. If any of the mixed martial artists can convert over to be a successful boxer he has definitely got the body shape and style to do so.”
His real interesting comments were not that he was interested in the bout however, it was that preliminary negotiations are already underway:
“Yeah we have heard from Manuwa’s management and UFC so it is something that we are looking at at the moment.
Considering David Haye’s injury, this bout is unlikely to occur in time to be on the Floyd vs. Conor undercard unfortunately.
