Monday 6 March 2017 17:50, UK
Carl Froch says David Haye is "100 per cent" determined to fight again after speaking to the 36-year-old following an operation on his ruptured Achilles tendon.
The former world champion suffered the serious injury in Saturday's stoppage defeat to Tony Bellew at The O2, prompting boxing experts to express serious doubts about his future in the sport.
But Froch says Haye has ruled out retirement and still holds world title ambitions, although a rematch with Bellew is his top priority.
He's told me he wants to come again - 100 per cent. He said to me and I quote, 'I will win a heavyweight world title,' but I want the rematch with Bellew first.
"I don't think it's the end of him. I spoke to David Haye earlier and he's out of the operation, he's out of theatre," Froch told Sky Sports News HQ.
"The Achilles heel is fixed and he's adamant he will be coming back and he wants to fight again. First and foremost for David Haye, he wants the rematch with Bellew.
"It's quite a debilitating injury as we know, but you can make a full recovery. Whilst your injured, you're in bits, you can't even walk, your leg is in plaster. But I think from operation to actually competing, it can be as short as six or seven months.
"David Haye at 36, this isn't the end of his career, I think he's going to come again. He's told me he wants to come again - 100 per cent. He said to me and I quote, 'I will win a heavyweight world title', but I want the rematch with Bellew first."
