Former WBA world heavyweight champion David Haye has laughed off Tyson Fury’s claim that he will pursue a kickboxing bout just one month after the pair’s boxing showdown on September 28 in Manchester.
Fury expressed his desire to compete in the kickboxing contest, scheduled for Bucharest on October 25, regardless of whether he wins or loses against Haye later this month. But Haye, the betting favourite, doesn’t expect his nemesis to succeed with punches or kicks anytime soon.
“If it was allowed, I’d let Tyson use his head, shoulders, knees and toes against me on September 28,” said the Londoner. “He’ll need all of those sharp edges just to make the fight competitive.
“I’ve actually done a bit of kicking in my time – and started out doing karate at a young age – so I’m not too shabby in that department, either. But, in a fight, I wouldn’t need to use kicks to get the better of Fury. I’ll kick his backside from pillar to post, and that’s about it. And, to do that, all I’ll need is my left and right fists. Then, after I’ve finished with him, he can start looking at other career options.”
Although Haye isn’t taking Fury’s ambitions too seriously, he admits a left-field move towards a new challenge would be in keeping with his opponent’s colourful personality.
“Fury’s a whacky guy and a proper fighting man, so he probably thinks he can conquer the world right now,” added Haye. “He has said it himself: he’s the greatest fighter to ever live. At first I just assumed he meant in the field of boxing, but perhaps Fury genuinely believes he can jump into other sports and do the business there, too.
“I’ve already heard him call out UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez – another heavyweight who’d smash Fury to pieces – and maybe he can also slip that mismatch into his schedule once I’ve knocked him out in September and he’s been head-kicked to the floor in October. The UFC champion can wrestle him to the ground and complete a humiliating hat-trick.
“I give credit to any man taking a risk and competing outside his comfort zone, but first things first, Tyson. How about achieving something worthwhile in the sport of boxing? Because, rather than kickboxing in Romania, one month after our fight you’ll be going right back to basics and learning how to properly jab again.”
Haye vs. Fury will be televised live and exclusively by Sky Sports Box Office on Saturday, September 28. Visit www.hayemaker.com for further information.
