Haye reignites career with Chisora knockout

David Haye returned to the top table of heavyweight boxing with a stunning fifth round stoppage of an obdurate Dereck Chisora.

The fight, set up by a spiteful press conference brawl in Munich in February, was only made possible when the Luxembourg Boxing Federation stepped into to sanction a fight that the British Boxing Board of Control had ruled illegitimate.

Despite the controversy, Haye was a big betting favourite going into the fight and the shorter 10 round format was always going to benefit the former WBA heavyweight champion.

However Chisora proved himself a willing foe and did well to regulate the gap between the pair in the early exchanges and seemed willing to allow Haye the early ascendancy.

The wet weather at Utpon Park appeared to dampen the atmosphere slightly, however a dramatic end to the third session brought all 30,000 in attendance to their feet.

Haye landed a solid right hand at the bell before Chisora punished his foe with a massive left hand. The noise inside Upton Park was such that many in attendance did not realise that the session had been ended.

However, despite being visibly shaken by that Chisora left hand, after a quieter fourth session, Haye’s power finally began to tell.

The Londonder landed a brilliant left-right combination as Chisora began to pour on the pressure and the Finchley fighter sunk to the canvas for the first time in his career.

Although he was able to rise again, it proved only a temporary respite as Haye measured his opponent before unleashing five unanswered punches to end the contest.

The result will surely raise questions about a potential meeting between Haye and Vitali Klitschko, however neither Haye or his trainer Adam Booth seemed confident that such a fight could be made.

Chisora, who has now lost four of his last five fights- all in under a year- faces a long road back if he wishes to enjoy the limelight at the top of the sport again.

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