DAVID HAYE watched nepo boxers Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jr dice with death — but will NOT stop son Cassius following in their footsteps.
The 45-year-old former cruiser and heavyweight king was ringside in April when the heirs to the iconic 1990s British boxing rivalry put on an impressive slugfest that left them both in hospital.
And Haye will be at Tottenham’s stadium tonight to see them cash in with a mega-money rematch.
But the next second-generation fighter could be his own, after he shared photos of the father-son pair gloved up in a ring last month and teased a switch from tennis to the sweet science.
When asked if he would support the 17-year-old’s move from the court – where he is a budding junior star – to the ring, Haye said: “Yes, if it was something he wanted to do, if it was something he loved and he wanted to commit his life to it.
“I don’t think anyone could begrudge their child doing what they want to do.
“I’ve always been like that with all my kids, whatever they’ve wanted to do, I’ve always backed them.
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Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn 2 – all the info
TIME for round two of this generation’s family feud!
Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn go punch-for-punch once again as both rivals look to make their fathers proud.
The blockbuster rematch takes place at the 62,000-seater Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday, November 15.
Eubank Jr narrowly outpointed his bitter foe after 12 brutal rounds in April to secure the bragging rights in what was certainly a Fight of the Year contender.
And the two British superstars will dance once more as Eubank Jr aims to do the double while Benn seeks revenge after suffering a first career loss.
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“If you’d have asked me that question ten years ago — while I was in the thick of it — I would have said ‘no’.
“I wouldn’t want my son to do something this hard, like when you’re injured and you’re having operations and you’re up and you’re down.
“But I always wanted it since I was a little kid, it was all I ever wanted. So, if any of my children want to box, I’ll fan the flame every time.”
Like Cassius, Benn and Eubank were born into fame and fortune.
But all the wise words, private schools and easier options could not prevent them chasing their dads down the dark path of professional fighting.
The two-fight rivalry has crossed weights, divided opinions and eschewed any belts.
But Haye sees great merit in two privileged men taking on the toughest challenges.
He said: “They’ve had additional pressure on them throughout their careers, coming from legendary fighting family names.
“They’ve been able to navigate the sport easier, they’ve always had the name brand, so they can sell more tickets than the average person would, but that’s not their fault.
“They’ve both shown heart and they’ve both done everything needed to secure their own legacies. The desire to win is so strong, they’re both going to give everything.
“They showed they’re willing to die. They go to that point where you can’t punch any more and you’re taking shots — both showed immense bravery.”
When pushed for a prediction, the Hayemaker said: “Usually the bigger and better boxer wins the rematch.
“A good big one beats a good little one. If they were both the same height and same weight, I think it’d be a different fight.
“But I didn’t know Conor could fight at that pace. I didn’t know he could take a middleweight punch like that.
“He’s got such a granite chin and he just keeps coming. I can’t see a different outcome unless Conor shows something he didn’t show before.”
DAVID HAYE was speaking as a brand ambassador for Highbet.
