David Haye has always had a fractious relationship with Tyson Fury and, in the wake of this weekend’s postponement of the undisputed fight, he has now spoken about what it is like to be cut in the build-up to a big contest.
News broke on Friday that Fury had been cut during sparring. The sizable wound immediately put the brakes on the undisputed fight with Oleksandr Usyk that was scheduled for February 17 but thankfully it has already been rearranged for May 18.
The world was quick to react with all manner of theories and reactions to the unfortunate news and one of the best placed to do so was former cruiserweight and heavyweight king Haye.
In a post on Instagram, he recalled having to pull out of his proposed fight with Fury back in 2013 for the same reason.
“I was looking forward to Saudi and the undisputed fight and looking forward to everyone being shut up and then you get the news the fight’s postponed, Fury suffers a cut a couple of weeks before the fight.
“I know that pain all too well. I myself in 2013, I suffered a cut a week before the fight and did I not hear the end of that. Even to this day I still hear ‘ah you didn’t want to fight him. ‘
“I was the big favourite like he was the big favourite but sometimes sh*t just happens and that’s part of the sport. I remember thinking at the time I hope he suffers the same thing and here we go.
“But I get no pleasure from him having to pull out of a fight I wanted and everyone else wanted to see.”
Haye ended up needing shoulder surgery soon after pulling out of that fight so never got it on with Fury and was out of the ring for three years. Fans will hope the same fate doesn’t befall ‘The Gypsy King.’