Nelson keen to make Haye
Former champ insists he could be fit in six months to take on fellow Brit
By Rob Lancaster Last updated: 11th March 2008
Nelson: considering comeback
David Haye is on about boxing at heavyweight, but I wonder if he would change his mind if he knew this fight was on the table?
Johnny Nelson
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Johnny Nelson has told skysports.com that he would come out of retirement to take on David Haye.
The Sky Sports pundit was in the crowd at the O2 Arena on Saturday to see the Hayemaker dismantle Enzo Maccarinelli inside two rounds.
That victory saw the 27-year-old Londoner add the WBO cruiserweight title to the WBC and WBA belts he already had in his possession.
It was also expected to be his last fight at the 200lbs limit before stepping into the heavyweight division, a move he confirmed straight after stopping Maccarinelli.
Nelson - who held the WBO strap for more than seven years before injuries forced him to hang up his gloves - was impressed by Haye so much he would consider climbing back in between the ropes to take on his fellow Brit.
Recharged batteries
"I was really impressed with David's performance at the weekend," he said. "I want to take nothing away from his achievements because he boxed so well.
"It's because it was such an excellent performance that I have been thinking about coming back and fighting again.
"He would be the only opponent that would make me come out of retirement and return to action.
"He's on about boxing at heavyweight but I wonder if he would change his mind if he knew this fight was on the table?"
Nelson, now 41, admits he would need some time to get himself back into the physical condition required to take on Haye.
He is also certain that the knee and back problems that finished his career have suitably healed enough for him to fight one more time.
"I've had two years off to recharge my batteries and get over injuries to my knee and back," he added.
"I think I would need six months to get back to full fitness, and David is talking about fighting again in nine."
Read Johnny Nelson's big fight review from the O2 Arena here
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Comments
Martin Shields says...
Nelson - you are dellusional son. In his prime Nelson may have lasted to the half way point but now he will be wiped off the face of the earth very early.
Posted 06:37 12th March 2008
Jon Burkinshaw says...
Although the fight may be entertaining and a worthy contest, I think that boxing would prosper more (and it is in dyer need) if a young explosive heavyweight (Like Haye) were to mix things up. If Nelson won the fight it leaves the heavyweights and cruiserweights in purgatory for a long time until another young fighter comes along.
Posted 11:19 11th March 2008
Eric O donoghue says...
nelson v haye your having a laugh.no style nelson as we used call him. how he held title so long is a miracle.ill even fight him and guarntee ill last longer than enzo did with haye and im not a boxer.
Posted 10:49 11th March 2008
Amardeep Singh says...
i think that haye would knockout nelson in the 1st round if it happened, nelson you should not come back as you are a has been
Posted 10:45 11th March 2008
Adam Baker says...
Is this Nelson bloke for real? What on earth does he think acts as the incentive for DH to waste 20% of his purported 2 and a half years left in boxing by staying in the cruiser ranks?? Half a round against an absolute hasbeen?!! Demolishing Nelson won't add any straps or kudos to DH's career whilst the farcical heavyweight division is there for the taking. The difficulty of unifying the heavyweights at present brings to mind stealing candy from a baby! DH only needs 4 fights up there to have the division sewn up and a further 2 to create a legacy, although quite what legacy dominating those witless gutless lumbering buffoons will engender is open to conjecture (and ridicule!). Go to Vegas, the Garden and a large stadium and show the yanks their run of the best big boys is well and truly over. The Brits can have the undisputed champ at heavy/cruiser/light-heavy by next chistmas!
Posted 10:41 11th March 2008
Adam S says...
No No No, why would Nelson put this fight on the table he WAS a great fighter but Haye would destroy him now. However, Haye will never take the fight he has too much credebility to take part in a fight that can only be described as an exhibition.
Posted 10:30 11th March 2008
Jonan Mendoza says...
I think Johnny Nelson is getting a little carried away here. Its probably a case of the excitement of the big stage in his former division which was previously un-glamourised, that has got him feeling like he could come out of retirement. The thing is he would probably get battered by Enzo right now, so David Haye is not a realistic target.
Posted 10:22 11th March 2008
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