David Haye’s comeback looks like it could be stepping up a gear.
The former two-weight world champion hasn’t exactly fought the best since his comeback to heavyweight boxing earlier this year.
The 35-year-old Londoner, who returned after three and a half years away from the sport, knocked out Marc De Mori in 131 seconds in January before ruthlessly dispatching the far inferior Arnold Gjergjaj in similarly quick fashion in May.
The Bermondsey fighter has been criticised for the calibre of his opponents as he looks to stake a claim for a legitimate world title and set up big money fights with the likes of Anthony Joshua and (maybe) Tyson Fury.
But Haye confirmed to his fans that he would return to the ring on December 10 and teased that it was going to be a name to get boxing fans excited.
Here's a small update. I'm fit, healthy & will be back in the ring on 10 Dec 2016. Opponent to be announced very soon. You'll be happy!😉👌🏾👊🏾
— David Haye (@davidhaye) October 5, 2016
It looked likely that he would face the dangerous veteran Shannon Briggs after the American’s comical antics in pursuing the former WBA champ.
But now it looks like the proposed fight against The Cannon has been shelved in favour of a potentially more significant bout.
The word is that Haye will fight Lucas Browne for the WBA (regular) title.
Hearing Haye's fighting Lucas Browne for WBA 'regular' title on Dec 10 #boxing
— Declan Warrington (@decwarrington) October 5, 2016
Former MMA fighter Browne is unbeaten in 24 fights, with 21 knock outs to his name along with significant victories over James Toney and Ruslan Chagaev.
It was his 10th round KO of Chagaev in his own back yard earlier this year that won the Australian the WBA regular title. Tyson Fury is the current holder of the unified WBA world title.
https://twitter.com/ausboxing/status/780351581208260608
However it was later stripped over an apparent positive test for the drug clenbuterol, which appears now to have been cleared up and Browne exonerated so he can fight once more.
Browne looked to be challenging again for the WBA title against Fres Oquendo in December or January, but if rumours are true he could face a spicy encounter against Haye.
It would certainly provide a step-up in class that Haye needs if he’s seriously going to knock at the door of the big boys in the heavyweight division. A convincing win would surely be a huge step towards the big money fights he’s after.
