Predictions for David Haye v Mark de Mori – Who wins and why?
2016 will see the return of ‘The Hayemaker’ David Haye (26-2) as he takes on top 10 ranked WBA Aussie opponent, Mark De Mori (30-1-2) on January 16th at London’s O2 Arena. The bout will be the Londoner’s first fight back since beating Dereck Chisora in July 2012 as he claims that he can become a world heavyweight champion again.
‘The Hayemaker’, who has 24 stoppages from his 26 wins and two losses, will be trained by Shane McGuigan, who has guided Carl Frampton to the IBF super-bantamweight title.
Haye, 35-years-old, twice pulled out of fights against Tyson Fury before having reconstructive shoulder surgery and believes ‘The Dominator’ De Mori, who hasn’t lost in 11 years and 26 fights, will be his first step back to the top.
BBN asked friends in the boxing world for their predictions for the fight:
David ColdwellColdwell Boxing@davidcoldwell
“For me, it all depends if Haye wants a chat with his new coach Shane McGuigan in the corner or not. Regardless of being out of action for four years, DeMori is nowhere near good enough to be in the ring with someone like David Haye so if Haye fancies it, he will finish it when he wants. I’m guessing he'll go for the second round stoppage.”
Tommy LangfordWBO Inter-Continental middleweight champion@Tommy_Langford1
"I haven't paid much attention to this fight, to be fair, what with having a break following my last fight on December 19th and the busy Christmas period. I think Haye will win, only because he wouldn't come back out of retirement unless he was serious about campaigning back at the top because of the way that he talks himself up. He'd be set up for a big fall if he's not really on his game in this fight. I know nothing about de Mori which I think speaks for itself!"
Lloyd EllettThree-time Masters champion@lightningbolt07
"I think Haye takes him out inside four rounds. I've heard that he's looking very good in training and if he's in a good place mentally and physically then he's more than capable of getting rid of this guy and getting back in the mix."
Nick WebbUnbeaten heavyweight prospect@itsanickting
"I like Haye and used to watch him a lot back when I was an amateur. He’s always been an exciting, explosive fighter so I’m looking forward to seeing if he’s back to form. I've watched de Mori and I don't rate him. He likes to fight with his hands down but he can't do that against Haye. I think Haye wins in the early rounds, for me."
Ben DaySouthern Area super-lightweight champion@benday32
“I don’t know much about Mark de Mori but I’m going with a KO win to David Haye.”
Thomas KindonUnbeaten super-bantamweight@kindon122
"I think David Haye will knock him out within six rounds."
Dean GillenMiddleweight prospect@TeamDeanoPro
“Firstly, David Haye’s comeback is a good thing for the heavyweight division. However, who know’s how the prolonged time out has affected him? Even so, I don’t think de Mori will be much of a test for The Hayemaker. de Mori is ranked in the top 10 per cent of heavyweights in the world and his record looks good which is exactly why he’s been hand-picked for the Londoner’s return. It will be a one-sided fight that won’t last the distance, I think Haye might want to get a few rounds under his belt but as the fight goes on you will get the feeling he could finish it at will. Depending on what kind of form David regains will largely dictate whether he reaches the top of the world again. I think his best route would be to face the Bronze Bomber Deontay Wilder or go the vacant IBF title route because Tyson Fury will be too much for Haye!”
George HennonUnbeaten welterweight@georgehennon12
"I don't know much about de Mori but I can't see anything other than a Haye stoppage in his return to the ring. It will be great to see Haye back in action and if the long time out affects him or not."
Johnny GreavesBoxing Manager@johnnygreaves
"I'm actually working the corner that same show. I think Haye takes a round or two to get his eye in before starting to let the bombs go. Haye inside five rounds for me."
Matt MarshFormer British super-bantamweight champion@MattMarsh147
"I think David will win in the middle rounds by TKO."
Sam SmithUnbeaten light-heavyweight@SniperSamSmith
"I don't know anything about Haye's opponent but I would be surprised if he has chosen anyone too dangerous for his comeback after three years away. I expect him to have chosen someone that he can look good against and show that he still has his speed and power. I predict a Haye knockout within three rounds."
Mickey HellietHellraiser Promotions@Mickey_Helliet
"Haye to win in the first round."
Tim RicksonTR Sports Marketing@TimRickson
“Mark de Mori’s record may look impressive but he really doesn’t. I don’t like to be critical towards fighters as I have the utmost respect for them but he really hasn’t got anything in his locker to beat David Haye. I’m not expecting anything other than a completely one-sided display ending with an early stoppage. I feel like Haye will be able to stop the fight in the first round if he chooses to but I think he will prolong the ending to get a couple of rounds under his belt and to have a talk in the corner with his new coach, Shane McGuigan. Haye to win in the third round.”
George LaceyKICCA Sports@GeorgeLacey_
“Haye's comeback fight against Mark de Mori will go like many comeback fights have gone before. He'll want to finish the show early and look good after so long out, and I expect him to win within three rounds. To his credit, de Mori has 26 KO's from 30 wins, which shows he can bang but he's never fought anyone in the class of Haye and this will be an easy return to the ring for the Hayemaker.”
HÖRFA are proud sponsors of British Boxing News