David Haye has weighed in two of the more negative stories to emerge in boxing over the past month – and says the two highlights why the sport is, in his words, “f***ed.”
Speaking to IFL TV at the historic Claressa Shields vs Savannah Marshall card, Haye elaborated that Conor Benn’s failed drugs test and the collapse of talks for a fight between Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury are the types of occurrences in boxing that turn off casual fans.
“It felt like things were picking up for boxing. The fact Benn-Eubank was made, we thought AJ vs Fury was happening. I remember thinking that this is probably one of the best times for boxing in many years!”
“Then, in the space of a couple of weeks, it all went down the pan. I had so many conversations with people who know nothing about boxing, talking bad about boxing – about the politics, the rules and regulations, the governing bodies.”
“I want all this behind us as quick as possible because it takes the light off all the great young fighters coming through, they should be getting the headlines. Not just bulls**t and that all we’re getting at the moment, just s**t.
“Boxing’s boxing – it’s always been f**cked.”
Benn vs Eubank fight week was a dark one for the sport, with news of Benn’s adverse finding for the banned substance Clomid coming just days after it became apparent that talks between Joshua and Fury’s teams had broken down once again.
Whilst a more positive light was shone on boxing at the all-female card at the 02 this past weekend, giving British fight fans a much needed pick-me-up given the past fortnight’s events.