FORMER HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION DAVID HAYE RETURNS WITH 1ST ROUND KO OF DE MORI
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 17 Jan 2016
Former WBA heavyweight champion David Haye of Britain returned to the ring after a three and a half year year absence to score a devastating 1st round knockout of Mark de Mori of Australia at the 02 Arena in London.
Haye hardly worked up a sweat as he landed two early left hand jabs and then caught de Mori, nicknamed ?The Dominator? with two big right hooks followed by an uppercut and another right that sent the 33 year old de Mori to the canvas.
Correspondent Ben Reynolds reported that de Mori ?needed extensive attention from medics after collapsing to the canvas with 56 seconds remaining of the opening round.?
He said de Mori ?was given oxygen and eventually helped to his seat as Haye celebrated a triumphant return to boxing.?
In fact Reynolds reported that Haye's relaxed ringwalk took twice as long as the fight itself as De Mori offered nothing in the 124 seconds that he was upright, standing still and leaving Haye free to pick his shots at will.
The fight was more to do with setting up Haye's future opponents, who will have learned little given the lack of resistance from de Mori.
Weighing in at a career-heavy 16st 3lb 5oz, Haye looked slower than his previous self but with 16,000 fans in London his profile will ensure bigger tests to come.
In a post fight interview Haye said "It's been absolutely amazing. I'd like to thank each and every fan. I assumed a lot of people would give up on me given my physical state in the last few years, but the fact that people have come out and supported me - it's been a tough, tough road, but I'm finally back and I feel better than ever.?
He said "I'm punching harder than ever. De Mori is a tough guy and I felt so cool and calm in there, I don't think any heavyweight on the planet could take those punches."
When asked about his troublesome shoulder, he said: "It feels better than it was berfore. I've spent two years on rehab on this shoulder, building all the muscles and I'm so strong now.
"I'm hitting harder than I've every hit before and I think this new improved version of me will go on and win heavyweight championships. It felt like home. I had no nerves. This is where I belong."
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