David Haye has been named as No 9 in the updated WBA heavyweight rankings
Tuesday 19 January 2016 15:57, UK
David Haye has re-entered the WBA heavyweight rankings at No 9 after his first fight in nearly four years ended in a decisive knockout win.
The 35-year-old, who spent three-and-a-half years out of the ring dealing with injuries, needed just 131 seconds to force a first-round stoppage against Mark de Mori.
Haye's reward is a swift return into the WBA's top 10, the organisation he ruled as heavyweight champion after outpointing the gigantic Nikolai Valuev in 2009.
The WBA currently recognises two heavyweight champions: Tyson Fury and Ruslan Chagaev.
Fury won the 'Super' version of the WBA title from Wladimir Klitschko in November 2015 but has repeatedly refused to acknowledge Haye as a contender after two proposed fights were cancelled by the Londoner.
Chagaev is the 'regular' WBA heavyweight champion and is preparing to defend his belt against Ricky Hatton-trained Lucas Browne who is No 2 in the rankings.
No 1 ranked Luis Ortiz is also due to fight No 5 Alexander Ustinov, crowding the route for Haye to climb the rankings and win back the title belt he once wore.
