UNBEATEN heavyweight prospect, Nick Webb (3-0) previews the return of David Haye (26-2) versus top 10 ranked WBA Aussie opponent, Mark De Mori (30-1-2) on January 16 at London’s O2 Arena, live on TV channel Dave.
The bout will be the Londoner’s first fight back since beating Dereck Chisora in July 2012, in the same venue along the Greenwich Peninsula where he stopped Enzo Maccarinelli and Monte Barrett in consecutive fights back in 2008.
‘The Hayemaker’ has 24 stoppages from his 26 wins and two losses, and is trained by new coach, Shane McGuigan, who guided Carl Frampton to the IBF super-bantamweight title.
The 6ft 3” tall 35-year-old, twice pulled out of fights against Tyson Fury before having reconstructive shoulder surgery and believes ‘The Dominator’ De Mori, who hasn’t lost in 11 years and 26 fights, will be his first step back to the top.
Nick Webb provided Boxing News Online with an exclusive preview of the fight that he will have a special interest in viewing as he eyes a busy 2016 to get himself into contention to challenge the bigger names above his current standing in the rankings.
The 28-year-old from Chertsey said:
“I like Haye and used to watch him a lot back when I was an amateur. He’s always been an exciting, explosive fighter so I’m looking forward to seeing if he’s back to form like he was before or if he’s just in it for the payday. I’ve heard that he’s going to be heavier than he ever has been before so that could affect his performance, as speed and elusiveness was always such a big part of his game.
“His Aussie opponent, Mark de Mori has never fought anyone of note and although his record may look impressive, I’ve watched him and I don’t rate him. I noticed he was quite short for a heavyweight and he fights with his hands down; he can’t do that against Haye. It was always going to be an opponent that his team would know that Haye will beat and also make him look good in his comeback. The question is can he get back into the mix again after so long out and I personally believe that he can get back up there to the top, definitely.
“He was a magnificent world champion before and undoubtedly Britain’s greatest cruiserweight of all-time – I hope that Johnny Nelson’s not reading this! He’s a big puncher and always will be, it’s whether he has retained his remarkable athleticism, elusiveness and speed – the attributes which gave him the edge.
“Of course, the three-and-a-half years out will affect him. He can’t expect to come straight back to where he left off, he’ll definitely be a little rusty.
“The new relationship with Shane McGuigan will be interesting to see, he is a top coach and gets the best from his fighters. The condition that Carl Frampton gets into for fights is astonishing! I think they could work well together and we can all see that he’s doing a good job with other fighters.
“It’s always good to have that interaction with your new coach in the corner but I, personally, haven’t chatted to my coach, Scott Welch in the corner yet! Three first round KO’s has meant that we haven’t managed to get to that stage yet! Anyone that’s thinking he’ll want to get a few rounds under his belt to be able to work with Shane in the corner, well I would disagree with them. I think that if he can take him out, then he’ll take him out. That’s what any consummate professional would do and it’s even more applicable in the heavyweights.
“If you haven’t already guessed by now, my thoughts are that Haye wins by early stoppage.
“I think that he’s only really come back to fight Anthony Joshua. At the moment, right now, I think that Haye wins that fight, for me. In a year’s time if Joshua continues to learn and to climb the rankings, then it could go the other way.”
