I realised I wouldn’t be world champion after sparring session with Tyson Fury, reveals former David Haye opponent

WHEN Mark de Mori sparred Tyson Fury he came to the conclusion that he will NEVER be a world champion.

British boxing fans may remember De Mori for welcoming David Haye back to the ring in 2016.

David Haye knocked out Mark de Mori in 2016News Group Newspapers Ltd

But he he was knocked out in the first round and largely retreated into the heavyweight shadows.

However, he has racked up 11 wins on the bounce and now returns against Filip Hrgovic on Saturday night.

Hrgovic is currently in place to challenge for the IBF belt, set to be contested in Tyson Fury’s title unification with Oleksandr Usyk.

Although De Mori, 41, himself knows fans would not be lining up to see him fight either star should he stun Hrgovic, 31.

He told Boxing Social: “Honestly, I don’t think that, if I caught Hrgovic, that anyone would want to see me fight the winner of Fury-Usyk.

“That’s just being realistic and that is fine, so we would probably do a rematch.”

Haye, 43, was not the only elite champion the honest De Mori shared the ring with.

He sparred Fury, 35, back in the day and it helped him realise that he would not reach the pinnacle of the sport.

De Mori said: “I sparred Fury once and it was during those rounds that I realised that I’d never become a world champion, that’s how much trouble I had landing a punch on him.

“So, if I managed to knock him [Hrgovic] out, I think that it would be a rematch.

“It’s all good fun, there is no expectations on me or my career anymore, so I will walk in there with no weight on my shoulders.”

PA

Filip Hrgovic, left, and Mark de Mori ahead of their fight in Saudi Arabia[/caption]