David Haye is calling for a fight with Anthony Joshua. Yes, the man who hasn't been in the Boxing ring for three years is trying to get a fight with arguably the single-most exciting, unbeaten, boxer in the Heavyweight division.
It is disappointing then, that, Haye would undoubtedly be Joshua's biggest test in the ring thus far. Whilst Haye has not been so big-headed to suggest he deserves an automatic chance in the ring with the hottest prospect in the division, he has admitted he will need some time to get some bouts under his belt. After being forced to enter a limbo state where he resided between merely being inactive and being expected to retire. Several injuries also compounded this long-withdrawn period from boxing. Most notably, his infamous toe injury which kept him out of a comeback bout with Tyson Fury. One, which Fury, has not let go since.
It's strange that after so long, he seems all but sure to return to the ring, especially, as his Doctor had advised him not to fight again due to the nature of the shoulder injury, and the damage it could cause to him long-term.
On the flipside, Joshua has already spoken previously of Haye being the best in Britain for him to face, and that he wants to fight the best he can. An all British fight would be massive, that much is undeniable, especially when the British boxing scene is so vibrant. With both these men hailing from London, Wembley has already been mooted as a possible venue for the bout when, and if, it comes to fruition.
But with Joshua now looking to really up his level of opponents in the ring. Regardless of how Haye does in his comeback fights, if he actually does indeed make it back into the ring, will he be in good enough form to fight Joshua? He will still be ring rusty, and, will presumably have that same dreaded shoulder injury. With this in mind, it makes it all the more disappointing and frustrating, that even then, David Haye would still pose the biggest challenge that Anthony Joshua has faced in his short-exciting career thus far.