Friday 6 October 2017 22:32, UK
David Haye says he feels in better shape than he has been for "many, many years" after working with his new trainer, Ismael Salas, ahead of his highly-anticipated rematch with Tony Bellew.
Haye split with former trainer Shane McGuigan in the aftermath of his defeat to Bellew in June, and subsequently linked up with Salas to continue his recovery from an Achilles operation.
Salas has trained Guillermo Rigondeaux, Jorge Linares and Nonito Donaire and Haye says he is enjoying working under the guidance of the Cuban, as he prepares to take on Bellew for a second time on December 17, live on Sky Sports Box Office.
"It's been going great," said Haye. "I've known Ismael Salas for many years now. We did a few months' work together back in 2014 and I've been working with him for a while now.
"I'm really enjoying it. He's trained many of the great Cuban fighters; Rigondeaux, Felix Savon - the three-time Olympic champion, [Joel] Casamayor, [Yuriorkis] Gambao.
"All of the most skilful fighters in the world, who have got great footwork, mobility, range, punch variety - he's trained these guys since they were little kids so he really understands boxing.
"Over the last six months or so, since I had my operation, since I've been able to walk, we've been working from the bottom up.
"I really feel it has worked and now I'm just looking forward to fight now so I can show what I believe is the best version of myself."
Haye insists he is close to returning to full fitness after recovering from the operation on his Achilles injury, which he suffered midway through his first fight with Bellew.
"I'm really happy, I've already started sparring, my leg feels good, my shoulders, arms, body - everything feels tidy," said the former two-weight world champion.
"I'm actually enjoying going to the gym every day, learning new things and practising my craft.
"I'm 37 on Friday - I don't feel 37. I feel young, I feel fresh, I feel better than I've felt for many, many years. I'm just looking forward to showing people on December 17 what I've still got."
