David Haye’s amateur club was left disappointed in their former charge after he engaged in a brawl ahead of his domestic dust-up.
David Haye‘s career had its moments of controversy, from the build-up to Haye vs Audley Harrison, which was Eddie Hearn’s worst night on the job, to his pre-fight antics against Derek Chisora in 2012.
Haye fought Chisora after his loss to Wladimir Klitschko, but ahead of their matchup, the pair got into an intense brawl when Haye launched a punch at Chisora after he got close to his face.
His amateur club spoke out on the news about his antics, condemning his behavior.
David Haye’s amateur club believed his actions gave boxing a bad name
In a segment with BBC News, a reporter summarized the issue: “David Haye trained at the Fitzroy Lodge in Lambeth for six years until he turned professional, the coaches here today say his reputation and theirs have taken a hit.”
Roy Connor, a boxing coach for the Fitzroy Lodge spoke on the incident with Haye, who lost to Carl Thompson: “I think it’s disgusting really, two professional athletes to act in that way, just think they’ve let everyone down but most of all they’ve let themselves down.”
“They’ve let the boys down at the club and various other clubs throughout the country, especially the boys here because they look up to David,” he continued.
The segment ended with these words: “These young boxers keen to copy David Haye’s success in the ring, not his actions outside.”
David Haye was kicked out of his amateur club for laziness ahead of his pro career
Head coach of Fitzroy Lodge at the time was Mick Carney, who has unfortunately passed since Haye’s time at the club.
Current head coach, Mark Reigate, spoke on why Carney kicked Haye out of the club:
“We’ve always said that no one’s bigger than the boxing club. […] David Haye was in the gym, boxed for the club. He was there from about the age of eight, boxed there for a bit as a junior, went away, got growing pains, came back. Talent. Talent from day one. So then he starts playing up, gets in trouble.”
“He’s boxing for England, get’s in trouble for what he’s doing, being lazy and that, so first people they ring up is Mick. […] Next thing, Mick has enough of it all and just throws him out of the club.”
He concluded: “Just goes to show no one’s bigger than the club. The club will always be there.”