David Haye is a retired British professional boxer known for winning world titles in both the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions. He gained renewed public attention for his controversial tactical decision on the reality show I’m A Celebrity… South Africa, which sparked a major feud with actress Beverley Callard.
Quick Facts:
Full Name: David Deron Haye
Age: 45 (Born October 13, 1980)
Nationality: British
Occupation: Retired Professional Boxer, Promoter
Known For: WBA Heavyweight Champion, Undisputed Cruiserweight Champion
Marital Status: Divorced
Children: 1
Early Life and Background
Born in Bermondsey, London, David Haye began amateur boxing at the age of 18. He had a successful amateur career, winning a silver medal at the 2001 World Amateur Boxing Championships before turning professional in 2002.
Career and Achievements
Haye, nicknamed “The Hayemaker,” became one of Britain’s most exciting boxers. In 2007, he unified the cruiserweight division by defeating Jean-Marc Mormeck for the WBC and WBA titles, adding the WBO title shortly after. Moving up to heavyweight, he defeated the 7-foot-tall Nikolay Valuev in 2009 to claim the WBA heavyweight title. Haye retired from professional boxing in 2018 following two consecutive losses to rival Tony Bellew.
Major Event or Controversy:
The current controversy stems from the 2026 series of I’m A Celebrity… South Africa. As the winner of a trial, Haye was given the power to send one contestant to the basic “Savannah Scrub” camp, which featured minimal food rations and harsh conditions. Despite having younger options, Haye chose 69 year old Coronation Street icon Beverley Callard, justifying his tactical move by stating, “It’s survival. We’ve got to eat,” implying she was the weakest competitor.
Why he is in the News
David Haye is in the news because his feud with Beverley Callard has reignited. After the episode aired, Callard admitted she regretted “going too easy” on him and that she was “disappointed” because she used to be a fan of the boxer. Haye’s decision also drew sharp criticism from viewers and co-stars, including Gemma Collins, who branded him “evil” for his tactics.
Conclusion
David Haye is a former world champion boxer whose competitive instincts have followed him into retirement. While he built a legacy of punching power in the ring, he is currently trending for his controversial reality TV game move that made him a villain in the jungle.
