David Haye secured the second victory of his comeback with a routine second-round knockout of Arnold Gjergjaj at London’s 02 Arena on Saturday.
The heavyweight, fighting for the second time in five months after a three-and-a-half-year layoff with a career-threatening shoulder injury, provided another demonstration of his power one minute and 35 seconds into the second, securing the 26th stoppage of his career.
Kosovo-Albanian Gjergjaj had already twice hit the canvas and was a tiring figure appearing to want a way out when falling for a third time from another right hand at the end of a hurtful barrage. Victory clears Haye’s path to the fight he wants with veteran American Shannon Briggs later this year.
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The conclusion came having also appeared close in the first. Gjergjaj was clearly hurt by a powerful right hook before Haye landed a straight right that knocked him down and looked to have secured the finish before he returned to his feet.
He fell again – with little resistance – after a routine jab at the start of the second, before being backed against the ropes, succumbing to Haye’s pressure, and ensuring referee Terry O’Connor waved the fight over when he unsteadily rose.
Gjergjaj’s limitations did little to demonstrate whether Haye retains the athleticism and reflexes that made him so dangerous at his peak, only that he remains capable of defeating overmatched opponents with flattering records.
He had never previously lost as a professional, but beyond facing his 1.98m frame – Haye had spoken of his desire to fight a taller opponent – the financial benefits and Haye successfully completing another training camp injury-free, little was gained.
Haye spoke afterwards of the satisfaction he took from victory, before claiming he agreed to next fight Briggs when the American began pursuing him at his relatives’ homes.
“I used to find it hilarious when he was chasing Wladimir Klitschko around,” said Haye, who has won each of his two fights under new trainer Shane McGuigan.
“Then he was doing it to [WBC heavyweight champion] Deontay Wilder, I thought it was really funny. Then he started doing it to me and it really wasn’t funny at all.
“He was banging on the gym door, knocking on family member’s doors. People telling me ‘This guy’s trying to find you, he’s going to come here’. ‘I’ll have to fight this guy now’.
“He turned up at my uncle’s house, banging on the door: I’ve got no clue. He was just like ‘Well he’s not here, mate’. He just said ‘That nutcase turned up, banging on the door, screaming let’s go champ’. He was actually staying in Bermondsey, on Long Lane, where I grew up.
“He’s a former heavyweight champion, a bit old, but he can fight a bit. He punches hard: let’s get it on.”
Asked of the presence of Jose Mourinho, who was ringside but refused to comment when Press Association Sport asked if he was set to join Manchester United, Haye said: "I didn't get a chance to see him, I think he's at the after party so I'll probably catch up with him there.
“He’s a big boxing fan, I saw him at the [Anthony] Joshua fight a couple of months back. He’s a big fight fan, and I think came with his family. It’s nice to see big names, important people there ringside, enjoying boxing.”
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