David Haye's comeback fight against friend and sparring partner Joe Fournier will NOT be a professional bout.
The heavyweights had been due to clash over eight three-minute rounds on the undercard of Oscar De La Hoya's return against Vitor Belfort on September 11.
But the California State Athletic Commission has ruled the bout will now be an exhibition over eight two-minute rounds.
The fighters will also wear 12oz gloves as opposed to the traditional 10oz gloves used in professional bouts.
Haye has not fought since he was knocked out for a second time by Tony Bellew in 2018 while Fournier has amassed a record of 9-0 against limited opposition.
The pals agreed to fight during a boozy night out in Mykonos this summer with Haye originally offering Fournier a four-round spar behind closed doors.
But Fournier insisted on a sanctioned fight and social media company Triller obliged by adding the bout to their forthcoming show.
When the fight was announced, both men insisted it would be on their records.
"This fight is the ultimate battle of egos, the outcome of some drunken bar banter," Haye said. "Now I have to teach some manners to a dear (but delusional) friend of mine Joe Fournier.
"A reminder to Joe that his best boxing achievement is being ranked No.10 in the world by the WBA whilst holding the WBA international belt at light-heavyweight, five years ago."
Fournier, meanwhile, insisted he was facing Haye at the right time after the 40-year-old's struggle with injury.
"The thought had crossed my mind as to whether I would beat David now. He has more experience and a way better skill set and ring craft and intelligence but I've never lost and I think this is a much closer fight than people think.
"It's all friendly until you get punched in the face. The reality is, if I beat David it is a blemish on his record. He lost to Bellew but he was a world champion.
"I'm going to beat David and if I do, why can't I fight Floyd Mayweather? He fought Logan Paul and I have more integrity than him if I beat David.
"Or I could go back down to light-heavyweight and fight the other Paul (Jake).
"If I beat David the upside is huge so why wouldn't I do it? I have nothing to lose. I'm going up two divisions to fight a superstar and if I beat him people will take me seriously as a real boxer."
