David Haye will make his boxing comeback on the undercard of Oscar De La Hoya's return fight with Vitor Belfort, it has been confirmed.
Haye, who will turn 41 in October, will step back between the ropes on September 11 in Las Vegas against his "dear friend" and businessman Joe Fournier, who is 9-0 as a professional.
The two Brits were confirmed to be fighting in an eight-round cruiserweight contest on the LA fight card last night, with Haye issuing a statement this morning confirming that the bout came to be over a "boozy dinner" in Mykonos.
He claims that the pair were partying on the Greek island when a member of their party jokingly asked who would win in a fight, which Fournier took a little too literally.
“This whole fight between us, came into existence when at dinner with a group in Mykonos we were asked who would win in a fight between us," Haye said in a statement on his website.
"I laughed, but out of respect for Joe’s ego suggested it would be close, maybe a draw - whilst winking to Joe.
"Joe’s straight-faced response was very different, he was deadly serious stating he would win in a fight today – I assumed it was just the tequila talking.
"That’s exactly where it started; a boozy night in Mykonos, two alpha males peacocking with a crowd of girls.
"Fast forward two weeks, I remain happily retired from boxing, with no intentions to make a traditional comeback to challenge the monsters of the division.
"But I am fit and ready to prove my point against my overconfident billionaire buddy."
While claims of Fournier being a billionaire have been disputed, his 9-0 pro boxing record has now landed him a spot on yet another big Triller Fight Club card.
The Brit appeared on the undercard of Jake Paul's fight with Ben Askren in April, handily defeating Colombian singer Reykon in a farcical bout.
And ex-world heavyweight champion Haye has claimed that the "streaming powerhouse" put on the fight after his initial offer to settle their score with a sparring session was turned down.
"I would’ve been more than happy to prove this point behind closed doors," Haye continued. "I suggested a 4-round spar in my Hayemaker Gym in London, which would have been more than enough to shut him up.
"But for Fournier, the ‘Ric Flair’ of the boxing world, this would have done nothing for his ‘legacy’."
Haye is expected to make a substantial purse, comparable to his Sky Box Office outings against Tony Bellew that saw him return to the ring in 2017 and 2018.
"Joe asked what it would cost to get me through the ropes one last time for an official fight, on a real stage," he explained. "I told him it would have to be a package rivalling my last PPV blockbusters.
"A few calls with the lawyers, and here we are - streaming powerhouse platform ‘Triller’ loved the idea of such a spectacle and presented me with an offer I simply could not turn down.
"An opportunity to prove a point to a friend, earning true Pay-Per-View monies, whilst doing what I have always loved, simultaneously giving fans one last evening of nostalgia – who in their right mind would ever turn that opportunity down?
"Now I have to teach some manners to a dear, but delusional, friend of mine Joe Fournier."
Haye has insisted that the fight is not intended to kickstart his return to the sport, but is simply an opportunity to "teach his friend a lesson".
"This is not a comeback," Haye explained. "This is about teaching Joe Fournier there are levels to the boxing game. One must stay in their lane or risk getting flattened.
"Joe ‘The Billionaire’ Fournier needs to learn that certain things in life you can’t buy. Champions are born not bought.”
Fournier responded, telling Haye's website that he is "here to make a statement.”
“Like the business world, timing is everything in the fight game," Fournier said.
"I have immense respect for David’s past achievements, but his time has passed.
"I’m younger, fitter and faster - he may have been World Heavyweight Champion, but that moment has gone, I am still learning the sport, coming into my prime.
"His demise will meet my rise and come September 11th the boxing world is in for a huge shock.”
British fans will be able to watch the fight on pay-per-view with Fite TV charging £18.
