Monday 20 March 2017 12:45, UK
David Haye is convinced his warrior-like mentality will help him return to the ring later this year better than ever before.
The former WBA heavyweight world champion is happy with his progress as he continues his recovery from surgery to cure a ruptured Achilles tendon sustained in his British blockbuster against Tony Bellew earlier this month.
Hampered by the injury which occurred in the sixth round of the bout, Haye battled through to the 11th before his trainer Shane McGuigan eventually threw in the towel.
"Boxing is a tough way to earn a living but some of us are born for this and I believe I am," Haye told Sky Sports during an appearance at the Lycamobile British Ethnic Diversity Sports Awards [BEDSAs].
"When the going gets tough I know I will fight in the ring until my very last breath and I believe most world-class fighters have that same mindset.
"My mission objective hasn't changed [becoming a world heavyweight champion]. If anything I've proved to people I genuinely want it.
"After achieving so much in my career there were a lot of question marks about whether or not I really wanted to box and I think I proved to people that I am still a fighter, that I am a warrior and that this is what I want to do.
When the going gets tough I know I will fight in the ring till my very last breath and I believe most world-class fighters have that same mindset.
"I'm happy with the way the surgery went, I'm happy with the physiotherapy and I'm happy with what the doctors are saying with regard to the injury and my recovery.
"Once I'm healed up before the end of the year I believe my best will be better than my effort [against Bellew] on March 4."
Despite being ordered to rest by doctors, Haye attended the BEDSAs in central London at the weekend where he joined Sky boxing pundit Johnny Nelson on stage in a special tribute to the late, great Muhammad Ali.
Now in their third year, the BEDSAs, hosted by the charity Sporting Equals, recognise and celebrate sporting excellence from within Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities.
"Muhammad Ali was my biggest inspiration so I had to come out and do this," Haye said.
"Events like this are so important, particularly at grassroots level, because they really give ethnic minorities a boost, which they may not get at home.
"It makes so much difference to both those nominated and those who are following the results. It can help give them that push to get involved in sport and keep themselves healthy."
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