Boxing Legends David Haye & Oscar De La Hoya Return to The Ring
It’s been a difficult 12 months for the world of boxing, but now that covid-19 restrictions have eased, we can look forward to a handful of great boxing events before the year is over.
Former Heavyweight and Cruiserweight champion David Haye returns to the ring in September to square up against Joe Fournier – three years following his retirement.
Haye, now 40-years-old, retired from the sport in 2018 after losing a rematch versus Tony Bellew in May that year. Haye finished his professional career with a mere four losses from 32 contests.
Fournier, 38, is a businessman who turned to professional boxing in 2015.
The fight will be an eight-round Heavyweight bout.
On his website, David Haye explained the situation surrounding the upcoming bout.
“This whole fight between us came into existence when at dinner with a group in Mykonos we were asked who would win in a fight between us.”
“I laughed, but out of respect for Joe’s ego suggested it would be close, maybe a draw – whilst winking to Joe.
“Joe’s straight-faced response was very different; he was deadly serious, stating he would win in a fight today.”
Haye then explained his return to the ring was not in a traditional sense.
“I remain happily retired from boxing, with no intentions to make a traditional come back to challenge the monsters of the division but am fit and ready to prove my point against my overconfident billionaire buddy.”
The contest will play a part in the Triller Fight Club undercard, where Oscar De La Hoya makes his own return at the age of 48.
Nearly 13 years after his retirement, De La Hoya will compete against the former UFC champion Vitor Belfort.
Exhibition bouts have risen in popularity, with the likes of Floyd Mayweather, Logan Paul, and Mike Tyson all competing in non-professional contests.
However, De La Hoya had no interest in a fight that the California State Athletic Commission didn’t sanction.
“This is not a game,” De La Hoya said. “We don’t play boxing. We don’t play UFC. We don’t play MMA. I literally said if we’re going to do this, let’s do it for real. Let’s not do this song and dance. Let’s not do these exhibitions that we’re tired of. This is the real thing. The fact that Belfort feels great. Look at him. I feel amazing. I feel literally better than ever. The fact that we both agree that it’s going to be a real fight. It’s going to be a lot of fun. I have no sh*t to talk about Belfort whatsoever. I respect you brother, like there’s no tomorrow.
Triller Fight Club – September 11, Staples Center, LA, USA
Oscar De La Hoya vs. Vitor Belfort (180lbs Catchweight)
Anderson Silva vs Tito Ortiz (195lbs Catchweight)
David Haye vs. Joe Fournier (Heavyweight)
Another intriguing matchup on the Triller card will see former UFC champions Anderson Silva and Tito Ortiz go head-to-head.
Arizona sportsbooks, which soon is going to be legal to place bets should take a lot of action on Anderson Silva, because even during his MMA career, Ortiz was known as a wrestler. His boxing output was never the prettiest, while Silva is an excellent striker and former boxer.
Anthony Joshua vs. Oleksandr Usyk – September 25, 2021
Details of the supporting cast to Anthony Joshua’s huge IBF, WBA, WBO and IBO Heavyweight World Title showdown with Oleksandr Usyk at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday September 25 have been confirmed.
The Heavyweight division’s biggest attraction puts his Unified crown on the line once more against former Undisputed Cruiserweight World Champion and pound-for-pound star Usyk live on DAZN in over 170 countries and territories worldwide and on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK and Ireland.
WBO Cruiserweight World Champion Lawrence Okolie (16-0, 13 KOs) puts his World Title on the line for the first time against his Mandatory Challenger Dilan Prasovic (15-0, 12 KOs) following his crushing sixth round stoppage of Krzysztof Glowacki at The SSE Arena, Wembley back in March.
By winning a World Title in just his sixteenth fight, the unbeaten 28-year-old from Hackney nicknamed ‘The Sauce’ emulated fellow Brits Tony Bellew, David Haye, Enzo Maccarinelli, Johnny Nelson and Carl Thompson who all previously held world crowns in the 200lb class.
Montenegro’s Prasovic, a former WBO Cruiserweight Youth World Champion, sits at No.1 in the world with the governing body having won all fifteen of his fights since turning professional in October 2014, with twelve of those wins coming by way of knockout.
Former WBA Super-Middleweight World Champion Callum Smith (27-1, 19 KOs) makes his highly anticipated ring return up at Light-Heavyweight against the Dominican Republic’ Lenin Castillo (21-3-1, 16 KOs) after his points loss to Mexican superstar Canelo Alvarez out in Texas last December.
Manchester Lightweight prospect Campbell Hatton (3-0) continues his education in the professional ranks when he takes on Spain’s Izan Dura (3-7) hot on the back of his comfortable points win over Jakub Laskowski on the first week of Matchroom Fight Camp.
‘The Albanian King’ Florian Marku (8-0-1, 6 KOs) looks to build on his impressive stoppage win over Rylan Charlton on the Avanesyan vs. Kelly undercard in February as he challenges Milan’s Maxim Prodan (19-0-1, 15 KOs) for the IBF International Welterweight Title and unbeaten Chicago Middleweight Christopher Ousley (12-0, 9 KOs) meets Russia’s Khasan Baysangurov (21-1, 11 KOs) for the WBA Intercontinental Title.
Bob Arum’s Top Rank & Al Haymon’s PBC – October 9, T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, USA
Former Heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder has cashed in his right to a rematch, putting the highly-anticipated battle of the UK between Heavyweight champions Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua on hold.
However, The Bronze Bomber versus The Gypsy King will undoubtedly produce the entertainment factor for boxing enthusiasts.
The bout was initially scheduled for the month of July, but a positive Covid-19 test forced Fury to withdraw and reschedule.
Fury was dominant in their Las Vegas rematch, dropping Wilder on several occasions before his corner threw the towel in.
Given the clear skill difference, many believe that Wilder only has a chance with his knockout power but is outclassed In every other facet of the game.
Tyson Fury vs. Deontay Wilder III (WBC Heavyweight Title)
Efe Ajagba vs. Frank Sanchez (Heavyweight)
Robert Helenius vs. Adam Kownacki II (Heavyweight)
Jared Anderson vs. Vladimir Tereshkin (Heavyweight)
