Imagining If David Haye Came out of Retirement to Fight Anthony Joshua

Whether it’s Tyson Fury talking or Anthony Joshua showing off his obvious potential, the heavyweights have become interesting again in Britain.

The division was dormant during the long reign of the Klitschkos, but suddenly there is now a buzz about the big men.

Of course, Wladimir Klitschko is still around, and is still the man to beat. Yet now there is a feeling he’s not the only shark swimming in the pool.

The emergence of potential rivals is great for business. When you have fights of real interest, there is the chance to earn money. Plenty of it, too.

It may be the potential to get paid large sums that has seen David Haye throw his name back into the mix.

Then again, perhaps he just misses the fight game. Barry McGuigan, writing a column for the Mirror, suggested as much last month, "I spoke to Haye at the Odyssey Arena at the Carl Frampton-Chris Avalos bill six months ago. It was clear how much he missed that special fight-night frisson."

Whatever the reason, the Londoner recently confirmed his intention to make a return to the ring in an interview with Sky Sports:

"

I've just been working hard behind closed doors, training, making sure that if and when I make this comeback I'm not going to have other injuries.

I've been really working on my foundations so when I do make this comeback I don't have to have six months to a year between fights, recovering from injuries.

I want to make this last run my best—I'll have an announcement soon. I'm in a really good place physically and mentally.

"

However, Haye threatening a comeback is nothing new.

A year ago, he told Sky Sports, "Believe it or not I will be the heavyweight champion again. It's just which way I go and how long it takes."

It has so far proved to be a hollow promise.

Haye also claimed back in March that he was plotting to fight in the United States, with American Deontay Wilder as his target.

Again, though, he has not backed up his words with actions.

The last time we actually saw the Londoner fight was in the summer of 2012, when he stopped Dereck Chisora inside five rounds.

Leigh Dawney/Getty Images

Fellow Brit Fury was meant to be next up, but Haye was twice forced to pull out of scheduled dates.

A shoulder injury eventually required surgery, and that operation seemed to have sent him into retirement. If that was the end, he had still achieved plenty in his career, winning world titles at two different weights while also boasting a knockout ratio of 86 percent.

The disappointing display against Wladimir Klitschko aside, Haye always entertained.

It seems, however, that he's not done just yet. WBC champion Wilder might well be a long-term target. Fury is a possibility, even if negotiations could be tricky after their two postponements in the past.

But the fight out there for Haye is against Joshua.

Preliminary discussions have already taken place. Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, said of a potential bout between the two Londoners, per Nick Howson of the International Business Times:

"

David Haye talks about fighting but he wants the right payday to come back. I've had a couple conversations with David. He's a sharp guy and he knows the size of the fight with Anthony. It's one of the toughest fights out there for Anthony but we're looking at him winning world titles so he doesn't need to go through David Haye to get them.

"

Hearn is right—in terms of winning a world title, Joshua does not need to show any interest in facing Haye. But interest (there’s that word again) from the boxing community, and the fans who pay to watch in particular, can lead to diversions off the intended path.

So, what would happen if Haye and Joshua were to actually meet?

The unbeaten Joshua has become the darling of British boxing. He has won 14 straight matches, all by knockout, since turning pro after winning a gold medal at the 2012 Olympics.

Level-headed and physically imposing, he is already the Commonwealth champion. His upcoming British title fight against Dillian Whyte, a man who beat him in the amateurs, sold out in a hurry.

Haye would have a sizable task on his hands. Joshua is three inches taller (6’6” compared to Haye at 6’3”) and has a four-inch reach advantage (82” to 78”).

The Hayemaker, though, is not worried about physical statistics. Remember, this is a man that fought—and nearly toppled—the 7’0” Nikolai Valuev back in 2009 to claim the WBA belt. 

His power transferred to the top division after he moved up from cruiserweight, as Audley Harrison can testify.

Scott Heavey/Getty Images

The all-British bout between Haye and Harrison in 2010 promised much but delivered little. The war of words beforehand was more absorbing than the fight itself, which Haye won courtesy of a third-round knockout.

Harrison—who barely threw a punch on that night in Manchester, England—knows what Joshua is going through. He also headed into the paid ranks off the back of Olympic glory.

However, A-Force never lived up to the exceedingly high expectations that were thrust upon his shoulders following his success at the Sydney Games in 2000. There was a string of early wins, but once the competition became tougher it became clear his amateur success would not translate to the pros.

He knows what it is like to go up against Haye. 

In his column for Boxing News, Harrison suggested his former foe could be the man to end Joshua’s unblemished record:

"

I recently met with David and watched him work out and go through his paces…if anyone can derail AJ, I truly believe Haye has the experience, hunger and motivation to do so.

He has spent most of his career fighting bigger, stronger opponents, so if his body can hold up to the rigors of a full intensive training camp, I believe Joshua vs. Haye would be a big as they come, and Haye’s speed, power and experience could be the difference if it happens next year.

My advice to Haye would be—have a few warm-ups to shake off the ring rust and don’t let ‘Fast Eddie’ tempt you into a showdown until you’re ready!

"

The prospect of Haye, provided he is fully fit and the shoulder is not an issue, facing Joshua is mouthwatering.

You can make a strong case that youth would win out, that Joshua’s size and strength would see him triumph. He has flattened all before him so far and has yet to be extended beyond the third round.

However, Haye has a pedigree that makes him difficult to pick against.

He also has the punch power to wobble any heavyweight, including the chin of a yet-to-be tested young man who seemingly has the world at his feet.

It’s a tough one to call. Personally, the instant reaction is to pick Joshua.

But if Haye had the chance to blow away the cobwebs before meeting his compatriot, you could not write him off. It is easy now, with the memories fading, to overlook what the 34-year-old achieved previously.

Hopefully, at some stage in the next year, the question over who wins will be answered in the ring.

Who do you think would win? Have your say in the comments section below.