Two-weight champion David Haye feels friend and nightclub owner Joe Fournier has next to no chance of beating him in their high-profile eight-round bout at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, on Saturday. A rejuvenated Haye has also teased the possibility of facing heavyweight greats Evander Holyfield or Lennox Lewis in a subsequent bout as boxing’s seniors tour shows no sign of relenting.
Haye-Fournier will take place on a Triller Fight Club event that also features 58-year-old former heavyweight king Holyfield’s unlikely return against former UFC champion Vitor Belfort. ‘The Real Deal’ was a late sub for Oscar De La Hoya who withdrew after being hospitalised with Covid-19.
Former WBA heavyweight and unified cruiserweight king Haye (28-4, 26 KOs) has socialised and sparred with fledgling pro Fournier (9-0, 9 KOs & 1 NC) in the past, but insists he has not experienced too much trouble in those exchanges. A friendly rivalry will now be settled in the ring at the weekend.
“He’s never hurt me, I’ve felt his power. I think when he bloodied up my nose one time, he caught me with a shot and it busted my nose a little bit. I think that’s his claim to fame,” said Haye. “The only way he can beat me is if he rubs Tabasco Sauce all over his gloves as there is simply no other way.”
Yet Haye isn’t taking anything for granted with the bout just two days’ away. “Joe’s a professionally trained boxer, he’s been doing it significantly longer than say the likes of Jake Paul, he’s sparred with real boxers and has been trained by me, so he’s obviously got a bit about him,” added Haye.
The Londoner, now 40, was last seen being stopped by Tony Bellew for a second time in May 2018, but has teased the possibility of further fights against boxing’s senior names currently involved or toying with comebacks including main event fighter Holyfield and British heavyweight great Lewis.
“Evander, is someone I’m so honoured to call a friend, we’ve travelled the world, enjoyed some fantastic times and to step in at this short notice to headline the night – he truly is the Real Deal’. Boy, I’d love to share the ring with him, I mean seriously, to feel his power, wow, stuff dreams are made of!” said Haye.
“Lennox, out of all the heavyweights over the years that I’ve met, seems the one who is happiest in retirement. He beat every single man that he’s ever faced. That is the most perfect boxing career in my opinion, of any heavyweight – it’s just a perfect career, Lennox Lewis is the poster boy of how to do it right. I’d love chance to meet him in the ring.”
Haye-Fournier, and the entire Holyfield-Belfort event, is available to purchase via Switchbox TV here.