David Haye’s life just got very busy. The new WBA heavyweight champion has not had much sleep since his big win in Germany on Saturday. It seems everyone wants a piece of the new champion.
Haye, nursing a suspected broken right hand, took time to thank all those who had supported him on his journey, vindicated that he and trainer-manager Adam Booth had reached their Everest as a team determined to do it their way.
From fighting in Leisure Centre in Bracknell, in Rotherham, and in far-flung places away from home, the Haye/Booth team have never lost the faith.
Life changed the moment on Sunday evening that he stepped off his budget airline flight back from Nuremberg, having defeated Nikolay Valuev. Ground crew and baggage staff at Stansted Airport queued up to cheer the 29-year-old before he collected his bags; a crowd of admirers, photographers and camera crews greeted him as he made his way into the terminal.
And it continued yesterday as he was shuttled around London between interviews and a press conference, where he took up his place on a throne. Having begun the day on the GMTV sofa, he ended it with a seat at his beloved Millwall FC where he added lustre to their their 4-1 FA Cup success over AFC Wimbledon with a half-time appearance on the pitch.
“He’s probably had only two hours sleep in two nights,” Adam Booth, his manager and trainer, said.
Haye said: "I knew it was going to be tough when I hit him on the chin with a shot which would have knocked other boxers out - and broke my right hand on his chin.
"I hit him with real power but he just licked his lips and carried on. So I concentrated on frustrating him by constantly moving and making him miss me.
"Then in the last round I hit him with a few bombs to let him know who was boss.
"I know I hit him harder than he has ever been hit before and it was great seeing his legs going to jelly.
"I'd been faster and more athletic than him in all the previous rounds but in the final round I just unloaded everything on him.
"He's a huge man but at the final bell his head went down and he knew he'd been beaten. I'll never forget that moment - the only place Valuev beat me was on the scales."
London minicab driver's son David raked in an estimated £5million from the big fight and now looks set to make £20million from further bouts and promotions.
The dad of one also told how he bought the kinky 7ins-sole boots used in training sessions before he beat Valuev, 36, on points.
The Russian was 11ins taller and 7stone heavier and sparring with trainer Adam Booth in a way that would prepare David for the fight was a problem.
But as he and Adam strolled in Nuremberg after a promotional visit six months ago, they spotted the £200 boots in a shop selling weird erotic gear:
David recalled: "I looked in the window and said, 'I must have those boots!' He thought I'd gone crazy for an instant, then he realised they were perfect for making him as tall as Valuev when we were training.
"They looked very odd on him but turned out to be perfect for the job. The result speaks for itself."
Adam, 41, said: "I held pads above my head for David to punch at a height of 7ft 2ins. He got used to punching upwards and there's no question this training played a huge part in our success.
"The boots do look a bit strange on me - and you won't see me in eyeliner or a nurse's outfit."
A spokesman at the rubber and leather fetishist's shop, called Underground, said yesterday: "We are glad we added to the success of Mr Haye's professional life.
"He knows the place to come to when he wants to spice up his personal life next time. We could offer him thigh-length boots."
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