George Groves offers David Haye his take on what to do next following this past weekend’s stoppage defeat at the hands of Tony Bellew in London.

Many commented that they felt the Haye we saw at the weekend was a shell of his former self which maybe true, but at the same time – you have to pay massive credit to Tony Bellew for a perfectly executed game plan and a well deserved win.

One spectator of last weekend’s fight was current world super-middleweight champion and World Boxing Super Series finalist George Groves.

Both Groves and Haye go way back as fellow Londoners who trained under the same coach at one time – Adam Booth.

Groves probably knows Haye as well as any boxer over the years has and had this message to say for his friend following this weekend’s loss:

“When I first joined this rat race it was under The Hayemaker banner. David was 28 years old. Our trainer would tell me of their ‘smash and grab’ mindset for the sport, with each boxing decision weighed up for it’s dollar to brain cell ratio and an exit strategy for him at 30 years of age. I thought that’s a great idea… Henry Ford said “The air is full of good ideas” but some ideas are just full of hot air.

David was kind and generous to me when I turned pro. I learnt a lot from him in the early part of my career. I won’t forget that. I hope he finds his new calling, I hope he’s happy, I hope he never decides to fight again.”

Groves is due to return later this summer in the final of the WBSS against Liverpool’s Callum Smith.

No exact date or venue has been confirmed however – with some doubt remaining over whether the fight will happen or not at this point.

(Photo credit: George Groves Instagram)