Boxing legend David Haye has revealed his bold new career move – swapping the ring for the big screen, seven years after retiring from the sport.
The former heavyweight world champion, 44, is stepping into the world of acting with his debut role in Under The Gun, a short crime flick set to premiere next month.
David, who called time on his boxing career in 2018, said acting has always been a dream of his – and now it’s becoming reality.
Speaking of his new career, he told The Sun: ‘Being directed by Charles Belleville and shooting with the amazing cast and crew was a privilege.
‘Acting is a discipline, much like boxing – it takes commitment and preparation to deliver.
‘I hope the viewing audience receive my acting as well as they have supported my boxing career.’
Boxing legend David Haye has revealed his bold new career move – swapping the ring for the big screen, seven years after retiring from the sport (pictured 2018)
The former heavyweight world champion, 44, is stepping into the world of acting with his debut role in Under The Gun, a short crime flick set to premiere next month (pictured with Dereck Chisora in 2012)
The British star also gave a shout-out to his acting mentor and producer, Alex Fidelski, and thanked the British Urban Film Festival (BUFF) for giving the project a platform.
Under The Gun will be shown at BUFF on June 25, with David starring alongside Pirates of the Caribbean and The Crown actor Kevin McNally.
The film is set ‘deep in London’s criminal underbelly’ where ‘two detectives join a poker game where the stakes are higher than they ever imagined,’ according to the festival’s description.
David has never hidden his passion for acting – he first teased the idea back in 2016, saying: ‘When I retire in two or three years I’d like to be an actor.
‘I want to reach the heights in acting that I’ve reached in boxing – though that’s a tough ask, I know. I’ll have to start from scratch.
He concluded: ‘But I’ve always loved film and I think I’d make a great actor.’
In 2018, David announced his retirement from boxing following back-to-back defeats by rival Tony Bellew.
David unified the cruiserweight division before stepping up to win the WBA heavyweight crown during a stellar career.
David, who called time on his boxing career in 2018, said acting has always been a dream of his – and now it’s becoming reality (pictured with partner Sian Osbourne 2024)
Speaking of his new career, he told The Sun : ‘Being directed by Charles Belleville and shooting with the amazing cast and crew was a privilege. Acting is a discipline, much like boxing,’ (pictured 2020)
But two devastating and damaging defeats by Tony ended his hopes of regaining his world crown and, as first revealed by Sportsmail, prompted him to hang up his gloves.
David was one of this country’s most devastating punchers but his 16-year, 32-fight professional career was plagued by injuries.
Despite becoming the first British fighter to become unified cruiserweight king and later beating Russian giant Nikolay Valuev in 2009 to become a two-weight titlist, fitness problems troubled him during his 2011 loss to Wladimir Klitschko and later cost him two fights against Tyson Fury.
They also continued to haunt him when he returned to the sport in 2016 after nearly four years out.
‘I’m happy, healthy, my family is financially secure so it’s a job well done,’ he said after announcing his retirement.
‘Thanks to boxing, I have been able to live my unencumbered childhood dream; a dream my dad, Deron, facilitated the moment he took me to Fitzroy Lodge amateur boxing club as a nervous 10-year-old,’ David added in a 2,000-word statement on his website.
‘On reflection, my 16-year, 32-fight professional career was one of two halves.
‘In the first eight years, everything ran smoothly. I had 25 fights and became the first ever British boxer to unify the cruiserweight division… I then achieved my childhood dream when I beat WBA heavyweight champion of the world.
But he continued: ‘It was in the second half of my career where I really discovered what it meant to fight and be a fighter.
‘If I had it my way, I would have fought as many as 16 times in the second half, the last eight years.
‘But, unfortunately, during this time my faulty body only allowed me to step through the ropes on seven occasions – four wins, three losses – and often it was a fight just getting to the ring in one piece.’
It was these fitness problems that curtailed his hopes of beating Tony first time round, when he suffered a ruptured achilles on the way to an 11th-round stoppage defeat.
In 2018, David announced his retirement from boxing following back-to-back defeats by rival Tony Bellew (both pictured)
But it was his performance in a second defeat at the hands of his Liverpool rival, on May 5 in London, that told him his time was up.
‘The boxing gods have spoken. They will no longer protect me with the freakish speed and power I used to possess. And without these God-given gifts, I completely lose my edge,’ he said.
‘For my fans, it must have been like going to support their favourite thoroughbred racehorse at the Grand National, only to see their stallion stumble out the gates like a sedated mule at the Donkey Derby.’
‘Of course, my ego would have loved to have retired on a win, or as a champion. But, deep down, I know my effort on May 5, 2018 was the very best I had left to give.
‘I also know that underwhelming effort revealed the truth about my current abilities in a world-class boxing arena.
‘This is not the end of my story. It’s simply the start of something new,’ he added.
‘To my fans, thank you from the bottom of my heart, for dancing through the tough times with me, and applauding my efforts regardless of the result. Your kind support always meant the world to me, and I won’t forget the many great nights we shared.’
