• David Haye v Tyson Fury

Haye: I could have promoted Fury

David Haye is unimpressed by Tyson Fury © Getty Images

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David Haye has admitted he could have promoted upcoming opponent Tyson Fury - but declared he was "unimpressed" by his unbeaten rival.

The two British heavyweights recently ended speculation of a super-bout by putting pen to paper in a deal earlier in July, and will settle their differences in the ring at the Manchester Arena on September 28.

However, the 'Hayemaker' has revealed he once considered signing Fury, but was put off by the Brit's performance against John McDermott in 2009.

"I watched him live when he fought John McDermott the first time in 2009 and I watched him live as an amateur before that," Haye told Nick Parkinson of the Daily Star. "Me and my trainer Adam Booth were looking at signing young fighters.

"We looked at George Groves, Michael Maguire and Tyson Fury. They were the three standouts and we signed up Maguire and George. We gave Fury a swerve. I walked out after watching him for a couple of rounds.

"I could have been his promoter. It would be a bit presumptuous to say he would have signed, but I wasn't interested.

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"After he won the national ABAs and had a little string of victories as a professional, I went to see him fight McDermott. I remember being really unimpressed."

Fury has yet to taste defeat in 21 professional fights, and exclaimed his surprise at the former WBA champion's attitude when they first met.

"I was just a bit disappointed at the reception I got when I first met him, from a fan to a champion, Fury said. "I went to shake his hand afterwards and say: 'Hello, David'.

"He just snubbed me and walked away. He didn't say: 'Good fight', or 'How are you?' Nothing. I'm nice. But obviously he wasn't in the best mood. But it doesn't really bother me.

"If a kid comes over to me, especially an amateur fighter and says: 'Hello Tyson', I don't just go: 'You what?' I go: 'Hello, how are you doing, do you want a photo?'

"Obviously they made a mistake, didn't they, by not signing me. They signed David Price, used him as a sparring partner for a little bit, busted him up and then gave him his contract back."

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