FLOYD MAYWEATHER ISN’T the only boxer who’s closing in on a clash with a mixed martial arts fighter, according to David Haye.
The former WBA heavyweight champion says he has opened discussions about a potential boxing bout against Jimi Manuwa, who’s currently ranked fourth in the UFC’s light-heavyweight division.
Manuwa took his professional MMA record to 17-2 in his hometown of London earlier this month with an impressive first-round knockout of Corey Anderson in the main event of UFC Fight Night 107 at the O2 Arena. Afterwards, the 37-year-old called out David Haye.
“The answer is a resounding yes,” Haye has told The Express. “I was very impressed with his quick knockout the other night at the O2 Arena. If any of the mixed martial artists can convert over to be a successful boxer, he has definitely got the body shape and style to do so.”
Haye (28-3 as a professional boxer) is currently recovering from an achilles injury he suffered in his recent 11th-round TKO defeat to Tony Bellew. The 36-year-old Londoner returned to the ring in 2016 following a three-and-a-half-year absence.
Haye said: “We have heard from Manuwa’s management and UFC so it is something that we are looking at at the moment. Obviously it is a little way off being confirmed. But it is a fight that would unify a lot of the fans from both UFC and boxing and make a mega-event.”
UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor is currently being linked to a boxing match against Floyd Mayweather, who has already admitted his interest in coming out of retirement to face the Dubliner in pursuit of his 50th professional win — and another big payday.
“David Haye, let’s do this,” Manuwa said after overcoming Anderson “We’re two of the hardest hitters in London. I think that the fight makes sense. Conor wants to fight Mayweather, why not have me against David Haye on the same card?”
