Former boxing champion David Haye is pursuing a new career in acting, seven years after retiring from the sport. The 44-year-old ex-heavyweight world champion has made his film debut in the short crime film “Under The Gun,” set to premiere next month.
Haye, also known for details regarding his personal relationships, had expressed a desire to transition into acting since retiring from boxing in 2018.
Commenting on his acting experience, Haye stated it was a “privilege” to work with director Charles Belleville and the cast and crew. He drew parallels between acting and boxing, describing both as disciplines requiring commitment and preparation.
He expressed hope that audiences would receive his acting performances as positively as they supported his boxing career, thanking his mentor, Alex Fidelski, and the British Urban Film Festival (BUFF) for the opportunity.
“Under The Gun” will be screened at the British Urban Film Festival on June 25th. Haye appears alongside actor Kevin McNally, known for his roles in “The Crown” and “Pirates of the Caribbean.”
The film`s description on the festival website reveals it`s a crime thriller set in London`s underworld, where two detectives get involved in a high-stakes poker game.
Haye had spoken about his acting ambitions as early as 2016, stating that upon retirement, he aimed to achieve the same level of success in acting as he had in boxing, acknowledging the challenge of starting over. He expressed a long-standing love for film and belief in his potential as an actor, citing examples like Will Smith and Dwayne Johnson who successfully transitioned from other fields. His goal was to be recognised as a credible actor, not just appear in small cameo roles.
In his personal life, David Haye is in a long-term relationship with model Sian Osborne. Reports have noted the couple has previously involved other individuals in their relationship, including singer Una Healy.
