Boxing fans missed out on a potential heavyweight classic when David Haye had to abort his 2013 clash with Tyson Fury due to a cut suffered days before the scheduled date. Haye had his sights firmly set on further heavyweight glory whilst a young Fury was desperate to prove that he was the man two years before he actually did.
It was a rivalry that had caught fire and when the pair engaged on TV shows or at press conferences, audiences watched and listened intently. Haye had been to the top in two weight divisions and possessed the confidence to believe that Fury wasn’t on his level and he recently revealed what his plans were for the cancelled encounter.
"Using my speed, using my punch power," said Haye to Sky Sports. "Back then in 2013, I believe it was, Tyson Fury wasn't the fighter he is today. He was very young, he was very inexperienced. He wasn't as tough as he is now. He hadn't been through the trials and tribulations that's made him the man and fighter he is today."
Fury headed into the Haye showdown still a fighter learning and whose best victory was a 2011 points win over Derek Chisora. A stateside trip at the beginning of 2013 saw Fury defeat former cruiserweight world champion, Steve Cunningham, in a bout where he was heavily dropped. That was an incident that gave Haye huge confidence.
"It would have been the perfect bit of matchmaking on my fight, if I was able to get him," said Haye. "A baby, in boxing terms. He had been heavily knocked down by a non-punching cruiserweight in Steve Cunningham, so it was a perfect storm for me, but the fight didn't happen. I got a cut before the fight and it never took place."
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