Though his achievements in the ring could never be questioned, David Haye has always been considered a marmite personality in British boxing.
Since hanging up the gloves after back to back defeats to Tony Bellew, Haye has turned his hand to the management side of things, most famously with former opponent and arch nemesis Derek Chisora, though the pair split back in 2021.
And it was Chisora’s former coach and long time friend Don Charles who sad some scathing words for Haye in a recent interview with Boxing News.
“He [David Haye] is not a good human being.
I’m not normally very judgemental. Excellent boxer; exceptional athlete. What he achieved was incredible; what he done for himself is incredible. But he’s not a good human being. When Derek first said, “I want to ask David Haye to manage me”, I went crazy. “Are you fucking nuts? This guy is not our friend. He doesn’t like you. He doesn’t love you.”
“Having now worked with him – he was the manager; I was the trainer – it dawned on me that this guy’s a control freak. He’s very economical with the truth. I warned Derek. When I was coaching Derek, he intervened too much. His staff were there, and he ruled by fear, and I don’t like that. There was a bad energy – a toxic atmosphere – in his gym.”
“There was always a battle. “David, are you the coach or manager?” “I’m the manager.” “If you’ve got anything to add, talk through me, please. I’m not going to interfere with your management.”
Safe to say, Haye won’t expecting a Christmas card from Charles this year.
Whilst Haye continues his punditry duties, Charles most recently featured in the corner of Daniel Dubois and his unified world heavyweight title challenge. The pair were unsuccessful in Poland, but are looking to appeal that result.