David Haye vs Mark de Mori: Hayemaker lured back by 'unfinished business'

Former WBA heavyweight champion comes out of retirement with Klitschko in his sights – but De Mori is up first in January

(Getty Images)

David Haye admits a sense of unfinished business has brought him back to the ring, with his sights firmly set on becoming world heavyweight champion once again.

Haye announced that he will face Australian Mark de Mori at London’s O2 Arena on 16 January in a bout which will be the 35-year-old Briton’s first since he beat compatriot Dereck Chisora in July 2012.

In 2011, Haye lost his WBA title in a unification contest with Wladimir Klitschko. When asked about his reasons for making a comeback, Haye said: “It is unfinished business. I always wanted to unify the titles and I got my opportunity against Wladimir Klitschko, and I don’t believe I fulfilled my potential that night.”

Haye, formerly with Adam Booth, now has a new trainer in Shane McGuigan, the son of Barry McGuigan, who also works with super-bantamweight world champion Carl Frampton. Haye added: “I have a new team, we are going to do things from scratch and I am going to go on and become heavyweight champion of the world.”

In 2013 Haye withdrew from proposed fights against Manuel Charr and Tyson Fury due to injuries, with surgeons advising him following a shoulder operation on the latter occasion to seriously consider retiring.

Regarding his time away, Haye said yesterday: “Three and a half years out of the ring is a long time and I have had injuries and operations. But I am fully fit now, feeling better than ever.

“When you have to put your arm in a cast and can’t move it for six months, you get really low and depressed – you can’t exercise, you put on unnecessary weight.

“It was probably one of the lowest times in my life. But I’ve come out of that now with a new lease of life.”

Meanwhile, Fury believes it is time to end Klitschko’s domination ahead of Saturday’s world heavyweight title fight between the duo at the Esprit Arena in Düsseldorf.

The 27-year-old undefeated Mancunian faces the Ukrainian – 12 years his senior, who has dominated his division for more than a decade and currently holds the WBA, IBF, IBO and WBO belts. But Fury said: “Old guy, young guy, old champion, new champion – enough said.”

David Haye takes on Mark de Mori at The O2 on January 16. Tickets go on general sale at 9am on Friday November 26, visit axs.com.

PA