David Haye - Speaker

David Haye is a British former professional boxer known for his impressive career. Haye started boxing at age 10 at the Fitzroy Lodge gym and quickly became a top amateur. In 2001, he made history as the first British boxer to reach the final of the World Amateur Boxing Championships, winning a silver medal. Haye turned professional in 2002, debuting on December 8 against Tony Booth, winning by second-round retirement. His professional career lasted until 2018, with a record of 28 wins and 4 losses, including 26 knockouts. He gained fame in the cruiserweight division, becoming a unified world champion in 2008 by winning three major titles, including the WBA and WBC. He notably knocked out Jean-Marc Mormeck in the seventh round, becoming Britain's sixth world champion. In 2008, Haye moved to the heavyweight division, winning the WBA title in 2009 by defeating Nikolai Valuev. This victory made him one of only three boxers to unify the cruiserweight titles and become a heavyweight champion, alongside Evander Holyfield and Oleksandr Usyk. He defended his title against John Ruiz in 2010, stopping him in the ninth round. After retiring, Haye became a public speaker, sharing insights on drive and performance. He received an Honorary Doctor of Science award from Anglia Ruskin University for his contributions to boxing. Haye is also known for his media presence, including a stint on "I’m A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here." in 2012, and he launched a vegan protein powder line, promoting veganism since 2014. Haye's legacy in boxing and his post-career ventures continue to inspire many.